The verve: Networking to find new venues for area artists

Less than a year and a half ago, Seth Everts sat at a kiosk in the Valley Mall peddling art work.

It was a strange sight to some; his merchandise had the look of unique creativity rather than the “fresh off the factory floor” items more commonly seen in a mall setting. Eventually Everts moved his business, Art, Music and More, into a storefront where he displayed the works of dozens of artists. His motto – “you were born to create, express and inspire” – guided his efforts.

In December, after a rent increase, Everts closed the store without losing sight of his mission “to bring positive change through creative energy.” In closing his door at the mall, other doors have opened.

“Our presence at the Spokane Valley Mall helped us expand our influence on the art community in Spokane and the surrounding area,” he said. “When I started Art, Music and More I was focused on changing the way the public viewed independent and local art … I wanted to show what the independent arts as a whole had to offer, in a place where most people shop and not so many people have an opportunity to be exposed to the independent and local arts.

“The corporate and mainstream setting did serve a purpose, but has no longer served as an affordable opportunity for independent and local artists. The last month has been an interesting struggle for me as a business owner and artist. I’ve had support of my family and the artists as I’ve entered into this new phase … one door has closed and a lot of doors have opened, with more opportunities for artists and art buyers to experience the independent arts.”

About 75 percent of the artists he has worked with were able to show their work for the first time in his storefront and online where many have made their first sales. Everts said he will continue to serve as a muse, an agent for independent artists on the move with the Creative Energy Network.

“The Creative Energy Network is the key to moving forward as an art community and opening doors to a variety of support, expanding opportunity for local and independent artists and the community to connect and share in their own creative energy,” Everts said. “It is a network of businesses and individuals who understand Art, Music and More’s agenda and want to help support the independent and local artists as we support their independent businesses.”

Everts is seeking out businesses at which to hang art and spaces in which to have monthly shows.

This Friday will be Everts’ first show on his new adventure in hopes that it will be a regular event in Spokane Valley on the third Friday of every month. It will take place at Decades, a banquet facility just behind Percy’s Cafe Americana at University Center. There will be live music, wine tasting, snacks, and a display of the works of some 20 local and independent artists, including Teri Beal, who will be showing her work for the first time.

“I’ve been painting for about 25 years; the last 15 years have been murals and trompe l’oeil,” Beal said. “Mostly it’s what others would like me to paint, but the ones I really love are the ones that have some spiritual significance. I love it when a painting is more than meets the eye, or when it fits you so well that you’d like to climb inside, even when you don’t know why.”

Everts and his band of artists are up to the challenge of bringing local, independent art to the masses. Everts will show his own finger-painted paintings at Friday night’s event.