Art will be displayed at mall

Fifty visitors to the Spokane Valley Mall were asked if they had ever been to an art gallery. Fifteen people said yes, and 35 said no. Next weekend, that majority will get a chance, as the mall itself is transformed into an art gallery. More than 30 visual artists as well as musicians will display their artistic expressions in the corridors and walkways of the mall.

Mediums will include acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings, photography, jewelry and glasswork. No imports, manufactured or mass-produced items are allowed.

Musicians will perform in designated areas. Artists – veterans as well as those who have never shown before – will be available to answer questions and describe their work to window shoppers and mall walkers.

Seth Everts, owner of Art, Music, and More on the main floor of the mall, organized the event. The mall approved the idea in April.

“They were happy about it,” said Everts, “They’ve been wanting something like it, but no one has been able to get it going.”

Artists paid $100 apiece to participate in the three-day event.

NorthTown mall followed suit and will host an art walk in September. Another is set for December in the Valley Mall.

Self-taught painter Kay Pruczinski will participate in the upcoming show. She has sold to private parties and donated her work to benefit art auctions but has rarely shown.

“I paint with acrylics and use duck and turkey feathers. Translucent is my favorite but I also like bold and powerful colors,” she said.

Her abstracts are intimate and mysterious.

Tess O’Neill, who has been working with glass for about 10 years, will show glass pendants, sushi dishes, wine stoppers and more.

“I’ve been married 57 years, have seven kids, 23 grandkids, and 10 great-grandkids,” she said. “Come on, you late bloomers – it is never too late.”