We've arrived in October, the busiest time of year for the arts in Spokane — as it should be, considering October is Create Spokane Arts Month. Kicking off the slate of extraordinary events throughout the city is the biannual Visual Arts Tour, a self-guided explosion of exhibits in art galleries, restaurants, wine bars and pretty much anywhere else with some open wall space.
We scoured the exhibit listings and came across a few that caught our eye. For the full listings, visit Inlander.com/firstfriday and judge for yourself.
Barili Cellars
608 W. Second
The Endangered and the Rescued: Ona Jacobson
This exhibit combines environmental activism with visual art, as Jacobson presents a show of watercolors focused on endangered species and rescue pets. A portion of proceeds from the art sold will be used to benefit animal welfare.
Brick Wall Gallery
530 W. Main
At A Loss: Photography by Julie Gautier-Downes
Gautier-Downes captures landscapes that, although devoid of any human subjects, seem to tell the story of the people who inhabit the area. Her pieces of abandoned buildings and towns are thought-provoking; she serves almost more as an anthropologist than a mere photographer.
Chase Gallery at Spokane City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. (use Post St. entrance)
In Search of Lost Time: Bob Gilmore and his former students
One of the biggest names in Spokane's artistic community, Robert Gilmore has established a legacy as both an artist and educator in the area. This show pays homage to Gilmore by displaying work of some of the artists he has taught, including Ken Spiering, Dan Spalding, Katey Mandley, Abigail McCallum, Jon Yerden and John deRoulet.
Kolva-Sullivan Gallery
115 S. Adams, Suite A
Archie Bray Resident Show
This show is one of the more anticipated exhibits of the year in Spokane. This year, the exhibit features ceramics, mixed media and other works from the international residents of the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana.
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC)
2316 W. First
Spokane Watercolor Society 2015 Juried Show
The MAC welcomes this show of 38 artists from across the country in a show juried by Bev Jozwiak, also slated to teach a watercolor workshop Oct. 9-11 at Spokane Art Supply.
Trackside Studio Ceramic Art Gallery
115 S. Adams
New Works from Summer Kiln Firings: Gina Freuen, Chris Kelsey and Mark Moore
This show gives you a look at the work of three ceramic artists who placed their creations into a wood-soda kiln in late August. Finished forms include cups, vases, sculptures, bowls and more.
The Ridpath
1011 W. First
Window Dressing
Surprised to see the Ridpath listed as an arts tour venue? It's not an error; the vacant hotel is the site of the latest exhibit of Window Dressing, an artistic effort that installs fine art in the windows of vacant downtown Spokane properties in an effort to beautify the city and reduce vandalism. At the Ridpath in October, you'll find the work of Mallory Ware, Jenny Hyde, Lisa Nappa, Agustina Mihura, Roger Ralston, Frank James, Jeremy Stebbins, Derrick Freeland, Lauren Klenow, Chris Tyllia, Chris Bolduc, Khalelah Boone, Ginelle Hustrulid, Branden Rush and Tiffany Patterson, whose pieces range from digital prints and mobiles to video projection and other art forms.
Steelhead Bar & Grille
218 N. Howard
Arts in Healing
The Arts in Healing program offers patients and their families at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital the opportunity to use art as therapy for their pain, as well as the stress of life in a hospital. This show features the work of young artists from the program. ♦
