Uncommon Gifts

Spokane's Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC), founded in 1916, has gone above and beyond when it comes to its duties of collecting historical artifacts and documents. Inspiring appreciation of all things historical, cultural, and downright fascinating, the MAC once again has delighted visitors with its new exhibit, Uncommon Gifts.

Showcasing seven internationally known artists with ties to the Inland Northwest, this exhibit proudly displays the Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance corporate collection. Artists include Jacob Lawrence, Fay Jones, Morris Graves, Barbara Thomas, and George Tsutakawa. Visitors can expect to see almost 500 works created on paper, 130 canvas and panel pieces, and more than 180 three-dimensional objects of glass, ceramic, bronze, and mixed media persuasion.

The Uncommon Gifts exhibit runs from June 25 to August 25. While you're there, check out the MAC's previously mentioned Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit, or the Two to Tango: Artist and Viewer, Lasting Heritage. The MAC is a cultural showplace that strives to bring the past and present together with community events, rare pieces, and local artists. For more questions, visit the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture website, or call 509.456.3931.

Learn to Paint While You Drink

What if you had the chance to savor the most delectable wines, while contemplating some of history's most famous classical artwork? Let me do you one better. What if you had the chance to hold the brush in your own hand, painting those renowned paintings while sipping local brands of Merlot?

Local artist group Van Gogh and Merlot are experts at holding these sorts of events. Their mission statement promises to help "individuals participate, share, and express themselves artistically"...all while holding a glass of vino in your hand and flourishing that little pinky. The idea was to help people understand that art is not reserved for those few blessed with true talent. Art is about expression, and Van Gogh and Merlot know just how to help you get those thoughts onto the canvas.

Classes are held in groups of 5-25 students, depending on day, price, and theme (some classes include live nude models, so parents beware). All artistic materials are provided, and drinks and snacks are typically up to the client (in other words, bring your own beer, my friends). Venues include Spokane's Luxe Coffee House, complete with a wine and beer bar; the Pasadena Ridge down in Spokane Valley; and pretty much anywhere with room for a canvas stand or two!

So! If you've a hankerin' for a drink, and you're feeling mighty da Vinci-ish, visit the Van Gogh and Merlot website, or take a look at the Facebook page to grab some inspiration.

ArtFest 2012

It's back, ladies and gents! The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC)'s 27th annual ArtFest began at noon on Friday, June 1, and continues through 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. This three-day summer event features over 160 art booths and artists, delicious food, awesome music, and loads of creative fun. A Make-It-Art tent is set-up to engage children in some hands-on activities, and for those adults that harbor a taste for fine wine, you can relax at the beer and wine garden.

Coeur d'Alene Park will be boasting all the craftiness this year--about two blocks from the MAC in Spokane's historical Browne's Addition. There's no cost to attend this festival, so there's no reason not show up, grab a bite to eat, and take a glance or two at the different artwork displayed throughout the grounds.

For more information contact 509.456.3931, email artfest@northwestmuseum.org, or www.northwestmuseum.org.

EWU Student Research and Creative Works Symposium

In the late 16th century, the people of Greece commonly referred to their drinking parties as 'symposiums'. They were held to welcome sons into the aristocracy, or to celebrate victories in sports or poetic contests. Today, the spirits have been replaced by poster presentations and creative works...at least here at Eastern Washington University.

May 15th and 16th will see the campus crowding with undergraduate and graduate students showcasing musical pieces, beloved artwork, and service projects undertaken during their academic careers. With the guidance of department heads and mentors, students from all four colleges--Arts, Letters & Education; Business and Public Administration; Science, Health & Engineering; and Social & Behavioral Sciences and Social Work--will display their works, interact with other students and faculty, and participate in a tradition that allows exploration of all disciplines on campus.

Day one of the symposium begins on Tuesday, May 15th at 4:30 p.m. and goes until 9:00 p.m. The welcome speeches will be given by the president of EWU, Rodolfo Arevalo, and Dr. Lynn Briggs, the Dean of the College of Arts, Letters & Education, in the Fine Arts Complex. Day two, Wednesday, May 16th, begins bright and early at 8:00 a.m. in Senior Hall and ends at 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the 15th Annual Student Research and Creative Works Symposium, check out this schedule, or call Nikki at 509.359.6826. We look forward to seeing you there!

Only Time Will Tell

The Spokane Arts Commission and Riverspeak invite you to join them tonight at 6:00 p.m. for live performances of poetry and short film in the City Council Chambers as part of "Only Time Will Tell," an art and poetry exhibition currently on display in the Chase Gallery.

Featured performers include EWU Riverpoint librarian Jonathan Potter, EWU MFA alum Jennifer Taylor, Eighty Six, Issac Grambo, Jill Skeie, Danielle Von Lehe, David Wakefield, Ryan Weech and others. See video by Aaron Fink, Rajah Bose, and Tiffany Patterson. Come for surprising poetry, energetic film and fun!

What: Only Time Will Tell
When: February 17, 6:00 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers (808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.)
Cost: Free and open to the public

Ekphrasis

What's more artsy than art?

Well, how about poetry about art? Ekphrastic poetry is poetry inspired by visual art (ekphrasis is defined as a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art). Take a look at a couple poems paired with the famous paintings they are based on.

The Starry Night
Anne Sexton (1961)

The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die.

It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:

into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag,
no belly,
no cry.

Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
William Carlos Williams (1962)

According to Brueghel
when Icarus fell
it was spring

a farmer was ploughing
his field
the whole pageantry

of the year was
awake tingling
near

the edge of the sea
concerned
with itself

sweating in the sun
that melted
the wings' wax

unsignificantly
off the coast
there was

a splash quite unnoticed
this was
Icarus drowning