Visual arts: Sculptor returns with ‘attitude’

Installation artist Nathan Orosco returns to Spokane with a new exhibition, “Peril,” opening Friday in the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s Orientation Gallery.

“Peril” is a multimedia show about “aggressiveness in general,” its costs and people’s reaction to it, says the West Texas native.

Orosco frequently creates powerful artistic commentaries in response to his landscape, culture and sociopolitical anxieties.

“I decided to move back to Odessa, where the content of my work has always been,” says Orosco, a third-generation Mexican American. “Even when I was living in the Pacific Northwest, I was dealing with border issues and the action happening there.”

The sculptor produces his objects and installations using a variety of mediums, including steel, aluminum, wood, found objects, dirt, video, photographs and projected images.

Orosco earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in 2002 and taught sculpture at Eastern Washington University from 2003 to 2006. To view his work online, go to nathanorosco.com.

There is an artist’s reception in the gallery, 2316 W. First Ave., on Friday between 5 and 7 p.m. as part of the monthly First Friday Art Walk in downtown Spokane.

First Friday venues

Many of the venues in this self-guided event feature live music and light refreshments. All receptions run from 5 to 8 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated):

“Arbor Crest Tasting Room, River Park Square, Third Level, 808 W. Main Ave. – Travel-inspired photography by Leslie Woodfill and music by Cheryl Branz.

“Artisans’ Wares, 1009 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Zoebug Creations” by Dina Fernandez, including quilts, patchwork bags, pillows, wall hangings, assemblage and jewelry.

“Artist’s Tree Gallery, 828 W. Sprague Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – Modern acrylic drawings by Chris Davis and encaustic paintings by Genie Rognier.

“Avenue West Gallery, 1021 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Freedom of Summer,” all gallery artists. Live guitar music by Tracy Carr.

“Brews Brothers, 734 W. Sprague Ave. – Work in various media by local and regional artists.

“Brooklyn Nights, 122 S. Monroe St. – Photographs by Geoff Scanlan.

“CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. – Photography by Pat Schilling in the Theatre Hallway Gallery. Paintings by Mel McCuddin in the billiards room.

“Conexion del Tango, 122 S. Monroe Ave. — “Legends,” a portrait series of musical legends by Lisa Allen. Music by the Annie O’Neill Band.

“Constant Creations Gallery, 524 W. First Ave. (6 to 8 p.m.) — “Real Places?” features a mixture of dreamlike scenes by Jason Corcoran. Live music and live painting.

“Empyrean Coffee House, 154 S. Madison St. – Abstract acrylic paintings by Jusin Arnie, wooden images by Sali Combalic, watercolors by James C. Glass and acrylic paintings by Hanna Dexter.

“Far West Billiards, 1001 W. First Ave. – Abstract paintings by Karen Vijarro.

“Gallery of Thum’, 106 S. Madison St. (5 to 9:30 p.m.) – plein air artist Beverly Barnett, African batik artist Nicholas Sironka, multi-textile artist Lydia Quinones and “Between the Bridges,” photography by Eastern Washington University graduates.

“Gina’s Design Corner, 1 N. Browne St. – Paintings and prints by Corey Keevey: “An Art Explosion in Surrealism.” Live music by Danny Songhurst.

“Global Credit Union, 726 W. Riverside Ave. – Various works on display through the windows.

“GoodWorks Gallery, 1019 W. First Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Birds of a Feather,” new works by Jan Hess, John Noble and Kyle Patterson.

“Grand Ronde Wine Cellar, 906 W. Second Ave. – Two new blown glass series, “Migration” and “Pilchuk,” by Callahan McVay.

“Kress Gallery, River Park Square, third level, 808 W. Main Ave. – “A Group of Five,” works by Jenn Ahre and Lindsey Maloney of Whitworth College, Michael Kenney of Eastern Washington University, and Ahmad Mohamed and Jessica Smith of Spokane Falls Community College.

“Mobius Kids, 808 W. Main Ave. – “Ears Looking at You,” a permanent ceramic tile wall mural designed by Ken Spiering; other Spiering art on view.

“Montvale Hotel, 1005 W. First Ave. – American Fine Art Company showcasing local artists.

“Namaska Fusion Cafe, 421 W. First Ave. (6 to 8 p.m.) – Sue Kochevar’s “Petal Portraits” and Linda Christine’s “Another Dimension.” Lecture at 7 p.m. by Kate Robbins, “Introduction to Meditation.”

“Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. – “Nathan Orosco: Peril,” artist reception, 5 to 7 p.m. Also showing: A T. rex Named Sue; Gaylen Hansen: Three Decades of Paintings; If The Shoe Fits; The Voices of Things: The Museum’s Collections. Free admission, 5 to 8 p.m.

“Paper Garden, 702 W. Main Ave. – Paintings by Cecile Charles and music by Kristen Marlo. Also, Mary and Nathan Eberle demonstrate their paper flower making craft.

“Pottery Place Plus Gallery, adjacent to Auntie’s Bookstore in the Liberty Building, 402 W. Main Ave. (5 to 9 p.m.) – “Euro Whimsical” dolls by Wendy Zupan Bailey and photography by Spokane native Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli.

“Prago … Argentine Cafe, 201 W. Riverside Ave. (6 to 8 p.m.) – Paintings by Bob Homburg. Music by John K, Corum Deo, Belt of Vapor and Hockey starting at 9 p.m.; cover is $3 single, $5 couple.

“Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams St. – Contemporary ceramic art by Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore.

Art Walk Palouse

The Bank Left Gallery and Palouse Arts Council are presenting the “Art Walk Palouse Invitational” from Saturday through July 28.

More than 40 artists will exhibit their work throughout downtown Palouse.

The Bank Left Gallery is showing works by Sarah Swett, Cheryll Halsey, Shelly O. Haas, Prisha Brown, Jackie Kell, Dave Ostrom, Allison Echanove, Jo Simpson, Travis Echanove, Peter Vincent, Wes Hanson, Carol Bradford, Elizabeth Dryden, Tim Kientz, Margaret Gregg, Valerie Boydo, Matt Boland, Jim Gale, Marie Moree, Virginia Davies, Mike O’Connor and Michelle Carr.

Meet the Bank Left Gallery artists during a reception on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Book illustrator Shelly O. Haas from Harrington, Wash., will sign her children’s books. In addition, there will be glass-blowing demonstrations and live music during the reception.

The gallery, 100 S. Bridge St., Palouse, is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on artists or directions, call owners Nelson or Pamela Duran at (509) 878-8425.

‘Legacy in Art Education’

Under way in Eastern Washington University’s Gallery of Art is “Legacy in Art Education,” an exhibition of work by area high school art teachers and students.

It features a diverse array of artistic styles in a wide variety of mediums. Participating high schools include Cheney, Lewis and Clark, Ferris, Shadle Park and University.

The exhibition will be up through July 26. The free gallery in the Art Building, at Seventh and I streets in Chenety, is open Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.