
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. ♦