A Fall Feast for the Senses

October's Visual Arts Tour across Spokane features diverse lineup of visual styles, group shows, celebrations and more

A Fall Feast for the Senses
From left: A piece from MyungJin Kim in the Archie Bray Resident Show at Kolva-Sullivan; a piece by Theresa Henson in The Feels at Chase Gallery; Valerie Woelk’s Seven Hummingbirds J1516 in the Spokane Watercolor Society’s Juried Show at the MAC.

Each year, October in the Inland Northwest is packed with events and celebrations showcasing the community's expansive artistic and creative talents. This one-month culmination of so many arts-related events is a trend the city's arts advocacy nonprofit Spokane Arts has taken full advantage of to bolster the scene, having declared October as Create Spokane Arts Month in 2014.

Traditionally commencing this fall flurry of artistic saturation — since before October was declared the month to experience art in our city — is the fall Visual Arts Tour, a weekend-long welcoming of new art shows, performances and other events happening across town. This weekend's visual arts tour showcase is no different; devoted arts supporters and casual viewers alike can explore an outpouring of creativity at more than 30 events, all listed here. Highlights include the annual Archie Bray Resident ceramics showcase at Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, along with an exhibit at the Chase Gallery that — unlike almost all fine art — is meant to be touched. For more insight on the incredible amount of arts events yet to come this month, head to spokanearts.org/create-spokane.


Events are listed alphabetically by show title; Inlander-recommended shows are denoted by a red star.

24-Hour Comic Book Day

Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland

Attendees challenge themselves to create a 24-page comic book in 24 hours. Visitors can also stop by the studio to see what it takes to make a comic book. Events from Oct. 7 at 10 am through Oct. 8 at 10 am.

Alfredo Arreguin

Marmot Art Space, 1202 W. Summit Pkwy.

The Mexican-American artist's colorful, layered, tapestry-like paintings, part of the Smithsonian's esteemed collection, have been on display in Spokane for the past month. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm.

Alice Nelson

Pottery Place Plus, 203 N. Washington

October's guest artist show features a collection of handwoven baskets. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-9 pm; show on display through the month.

Archie Bray Resident Show

Kolva-Sullivan Gallery, 115 S. Adams

This annual fall showcase features a collection of works by emerging contemporary ceramic artists from around the world working at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana. As part of the show, Gonzaga University hosts two special events at the Jundt Art Museum on Thu, Oct. 5; a workshop (9:30 am-3:30 pm) and talks (4-5 pm) with featured artists MyungJin Kim and Nicholas Danielson. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-9; also open Oct. 7 from noon-4 pm; on display through Oct. 27 (open by appointment).

Artapalooza

Liberty Building, 203 N. Washington

Works by more than 30 local artists are displayed throughout the historic building, including pieces by Kay West, Denny Carman, Sam White, Shana Smith, Debbie Hughbanks and Ginger Oakes. Co-hosted by Art Chowder magazine and the Liberty Building. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-9 pm, featuring live music and hors d'oeuvres from Santé; on display through Jan. 30, 2018.

Art at Origin

Origin Fellowship, 5115 S. Freya

A multi-artist show featuring works in a variety of media, including painting, photography, wood carvings, pottery and sculpture. Also includes a poetry reading by Christopher Howell and Spokane Poet Laureate Laura Read. Events on Oct. 7 from noon-4 pm.

The Art of Gail Tremblay

EWU Downtown Student Gallery, 404 Second St., Cheney

"Searching for Ways to Live in the Circle of Things that Support Life, 1990-2017" features baskets woven from film and sweetgrass, installation pieces, and mixed media art. Gail Tremblay is an Onondaga and Mi'kmaq writer, teacher, mixed media artist and advocate for Native people, Indigenous issues, and women artists. Reception Thu, Oct. 5 from 4:30-6 pm; show runs through Nov. 3.

Cain Benson, Todd Benson, Karen Mobley, Stefani Rossi

Downtown Spokane Library, 906 W. Main

All four of these local artists' works in the exhibition are united by an undercurrent of human experience, emotion and environment. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm; on display through Oct. 31 during library hours.

Carly Haney: Arachnids

Bloem, 808 W. Main, Suite 241

The local florist, chocolate and gift shop displays a collection of the artist's giant, taxidermied spiders mounted in custom displays and frames. Reception Oct. 6 from 4:30-8 pm.

Creatures Great and Small + Shades of Fall

Avenue West Gallery, 907 W. Boone

October's featured artists are Carol Schmauder, who showcases her acrylic paintings, and Teresa Antosyn, who displays fused glass creations. Open Oct. 6-8 from 11 am-4 pm; on display through Oct. 31.

David Wang: Oil Pastels

Liberty Ciderworks, 164 S. Washington

The artist and professor of architecture at Washington State University displays a collection of oil pastels and drawings, many of which feature iconic Spokane urban landmarks. Reception Oct. 6 from 4-9 pm; on display through November.

Debbie McCulley: Food for Thought

New Moon Art Gallery, 1326 E. Sprague

A showcase of quirky and whimsical food-themed paintings by the Spokane artist. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-9 pm.

E.L. Stewart: Eclectic Mix

William Grant Gallery, 1188 W. Summit Pkwy.

A collection of acrylics on canvas by the Spokane artist. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm; also open Oct. 7 from 10 am-4 pm.

Fan Nexus

Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

A new pop culture, sci-fi and fantasy convention with seven thematic worlds showcasing various sub-genres: anime, superhero, steampunk, fantasy, horror, sci-fi and science. Also includes visual art displays, workshops, celebrity guests, panels, gaming, vendors, contests and more. Events Oct. 6-8; times vary, visit fannex.us.

The Feels

Chase Gallery, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

An hands-on exhibit presented by Spokane Arts and intentionally designed to be touched by visitors. Features three-dimensional works by six local artists: Bill Dilley, Eva Silverstone, Dan McCann, Michael Haynes, Theresa Henson and Chris Tyllia. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm; on display through Dec. 29.

Great Art Adventure

Spokane Art Supply, 1303 N. Monroe

Stop by the store to see local artist demonstrations and take part in hands-on activities. Events on Oct. 6 from 1-5 pm and Oct. 7 from 10 am-5 pm.

Julie Gautier-Downes: Poetics of Longing

South Perry Pizza, 1011 S. Perry

The local artist exhibits a new series of photographs that study the urban landscape of Spokane. Open Oct. 6-8 during regular business hours; on display through October.

Karen Laub-Novak: A Catholic Expressionist in the Age of Vatican II; From the Collection: Prints of the 19th Century

Jundt Art Museum, 200 E. Desmet

The late painter, sculptor, printmaker and illustrator Karen Laub-Novak explored questions of faith and meaning with the formal expression of a true modernist. Works displayed encompass her career from the reforming era of post-war America, through Vatican II, and into the post-modern era of the 1990s. Also on display at the Jundt's Arcade Gallery is a collection of etchings, engravings, lithographs and other works on paper from the museum's permanent collection; all works displayed were created by European or American artists in the 19th century. Reception Oct. 6-7 from 10 am-4 pm; both shows on display through Jan. 8, 2018.

Karen Kaiser: Crawl Space

Spokane Art School, 811 W. Garland

A collection of paintings and drawings by the Spokane artist. Reception Oct. 6 from 10 am-5 pm; on display through Oct. 27.

Kim Matthews Wheaton: Endless Horizons

Dodson's Jewelers, 516 W. Riverside

The Moses Lake, Washington-based artist's collection showcases the beauty of Eastern Washington's landscapes in a limited palette of primary hues to "create subtle muted tones of far-distant fields in contrast with a rich and vibrant foreground." Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm; on display through Oct. 28.

Louise Kodis: Handkerchiefs, Housedresses and Hollyhocks; Lance Sinnema: Explicating the Space of Nature's Place

Saranac Art Projects, 25 W. Main

A show featuring new works in individually themed shows by the two well-known local artists. Receptions Oct. 6-7 from 5-8 pm; on display through October.

Meet and Peek: An Artist's Open House

North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne

Local artist Karen Mobley, serving as the library's October Artist in Residence, hosts an open house in recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month. Stop by to meet and discuss art with Karen, watch the beginning stages of a project, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate creativity in our community. Events Oct. 7 from 1-3 pm.

Melissa Cole: Cellular

Dean Davis Photography, 216 W. Pacific, Suite 102

The celebrated local artist's latest showcase is a collection exploring her background in biology, featuring mixed-media and encaustic paintings of tiny organisms, from pollen to plankton. Reception Oct. 6 from 4-9 pm.

Nature is Wild: Portraits and Petals

1900 House and Home, 114 W. Pacific

See landscape photography and portraiture by Robin Brazil, alongside acrylic paintings by Lauren Urlacher. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm.

New Works from Spring/Summer Firings

Trackside Studio, 115 S. Adams

The gallery showcases an exhibition of new ceramic works by member artists Chris Kelsey, Mark Moore and Gina Freuen. Reception Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm.

SFCC 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration

Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr.

The college celebrates 50 years with art displays, performances, art demos and an outdoor screening of the new Wonder Woman film. Events Oct. 6 from 4:30-7:30 pm.

Spokane Watercolor Society Juried Show

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First

The annual show was juried this year by award-winning artist Jean Pederson. Receptions Oct. 6-8 from 10 am-5 pm; on display through Oct. 29.

Stan Miller: Shimmering Watercolor

Barili Cellars, 608 W. Second

The renowned Spokane artist showcases a collection of his vibrant, colorful watercolor paintings. Reception Oct. 6 from 4-9 pm.

Squeak Meisel: The Immortals' Exhibition

Bryan Oliver Gallery (Whitworth), 300 W. Hawthorne

The immersive exhibition by the associate professor of fine arts at Washington State University features a total of 96 drawings that serve as a "mystical wandering" through the artist's unconscious. Reception Oct. 6 from 10 am-6 pm; also open Oct. 7 from 10 am-2 pm. Show runs through Nov. 3.

Terrain 10

Jensen-Byrd Building, 131 E. Main

The 10th annual local arts, music and performance showcase features 300 pieces of art by local artists, along with musical acts and performances of literature, dance, comedy and more. New this year, a ticketed preview night ($15 advance; $20/door) features music by past Terrain performers Sallie Ford, Manatee Commune and Jango. Ticketed preview night Oct. 5 from 5-11:30 pm; free admission night Oct. 6 from 5 pm-1 am.

The Three J's

29th Avenue Artworks, 3129 E. 29th

Three local artists — John Franek, James Barrett and Jason Sheldon — with varying views display their art. Receptions Oct. 6-7 from noon-5 pm; on display through Oct. 27.

Virtual Reality First Friday

Spark Central, 1214 W. Summit Pkwy.

Learn how to use Google's virtual reality Tilt Brush program, and contribute to a community art display being created on a three-dimensional virtual canvas. Events Oct. 6 from 5-8 pm (continues on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1).

Window Dressing: New Installations

The Ridpath, 501 W. First

The new long-term, street-level display features mixed-media art by Lauren Klenow and Derrick Freeland, as well as interactive digital art by Shamar Brown. Nighttime viewing is especially recommended. ♦

Mark as Favorite

Woman, Artist, Catalyst: Art from the Permanent Collection @ Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through March 9
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Chey Scott

Chey Scott is the Inlander's Editor, and has been on staff since 2012. Her past roles at the paper include arts and culture editor, food editor and listings editor. She also currently serves as editor of the Inlander's yearly, glossy magazine, the Annual Manual. Chey (pronounced “Shay”) is a lifelong resident...