Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
One of spring’s most welcome sights are the flowering trees around town. They explode with dramatic color along roads and in yards. Maybe I’m expecting too much but they move from blossom to leaf entirely too quickly.
The color in the flowering cherries is so welcome after a drab winter. But any sort of flowering plant is cause for celebration.
I recently encountered a different perspective of Sequim’s old Coop building. Believe it or not, this is the tallest building in downtown Sequim.
Here’s another shot to confirm continuing progress on two new retail shops coming to town: Michael’s and Ulta. Michael’s sells crafts, Ulta sells cosmetics and those sorts of girly things. Though the cocoon on the shop to the left has come down, a butterfly has yet to emerge. Click here to look back on the construction.
This sweet piece of property is within walking distance of much of Sequim’s retail, Walmart, Home Depot, and other businesses. Not far away is a small housing subdivision. I suspect it’s one of Sequim’s heritage farms with at least 5-10 acres of land. A good part of the year there is at least a few head of cattle grazing.
First I noticed “For Sale” signs with “SALE PENDING” on them. Now it says “SOLD.” It’s such a pretty little farm. I hope it continues in agriculture rather than the never ending march of new housing.
The Threads Count exhibit at the Museum and Arts Center has both delights and surprises. Take this hat, for example. Interesting on the face of it. Even more interesting after you read the artist’s statement by Lauralee DeLucca from Sequim:
“Stuck by a freak snowstorm in a creepy hotel in N. CA I did this to crack my kids up. It worked and doesn’t look half bad!”
The hat is constructed from…ready?…toilet paper!
There were a number of interesting hats displayed on animal heads, or “chapooches,” as they are called by Michele Delli Gatt of Port Angeles. Delli Gatt, fond of puns and word play, entitles the hat above, covered with “Pupp Pastry,” “Great Dane-ish.” Can you see why I found this exhibit so much fun?
Lest you come away thinking this exhibit is short on traditional weaving and fiber arts, here’s a glimpse of some of the beautiful, more conventional pieces. There are also fine examples of textile techniques and some lovely woven hangings. If you’re local or happen to be coming to Sequim the exhibit is well worth a visit.
I’d heard there was a textiles exhibit at the Museum and Arts Center and took a look last week. I was glad I did. While it has a selection of beautifully woven and stitched items, the displays included the sorts of whimsical items that I never fail to find delightful. One example is “The Madwoman in the Basement,” above, by Diane Williams of Port Angeles.
I love the artist’s statement: “The Madwoman in the Basement is a self-portrait. She is constructed mostly of stuff that fell to the floor of my basement studio. I swept up and had a doll. Her hair is very much like mine, thick, multi-textured, and uncontrollable. Her glasses are a scatter pin that I got for my sixth birthday. Sometimes it pays to keep everything and make messes. Her husband thinks she’s a hoarder.”
The Peace Mandala, above, is one of two items from Pat Herkal of Port Townsend that caught my eye.
This is the second piece from Pat Herkal that I liked, called “Two Time Tina.” The artist’s statement is, “Two Time Tina is as frustrated as I am with today’s technology. We are both using all our parts to try to stay current and to hold onto our past skills.” I’m no technophobe but I can definitely relate.
The “Threads Count — Textiles, Technology and Tales” exhibit will be on display through November. I’ll show you a few more pieces tomorrow.
