Key Center gets its own monthly art walk

Like viewing local art and meeting local artists? Mark your calendar for the last Wednesday in July, when the Key Peninsula will showcase art from beloved local artists.

Organizers from Two Waters Arts Alliance are planning the first-ever Key Center Arts Walk on Wednesday, July 29, from 5 to 8 p.m.

A wide variety of art will be displayed at five Key Center locations, including the library, the Key Center Health and Professional Center, the conference room at the fire station, Sunnycrest Nursery, Blend Wine Shop and Close to Home Espresso.

Showing art at the Blend was an obvious choice, as it was there the idea for the new event was first hatched. Tyler Reed and Margo Macdonald, both local artists, meet monthly at the Blend to chat with others interested in art. Macdonald is a founding member of TWAA, as is Reed's mother Kathy Bauer.

The group, called the First Tuesday's Artists' Blend, is a social outlet for the artistically inclined. According to Reed, the group is an open monthly gathering of artists (or anyone who wants to talk art) on the first Tuesdays of every month at Blend in Key Center. “We sit and discuss art, the projects we are working on or would like to do, trouble shoot and share experiences. And now we have decided to plan an art walk together,” she said.

The group was inspired by art walks in other communities. “Art walks are in most of the major cites and arts communities across the U.S. Usually they are a monthly event. Tacoma does Third Thursday Art Walks, Olympia First Friday, and so on,” Reed said.

Reed understands that as a new group in a rural location, holding multiple art walks each year is not currently feasible, but she is optimistic about the future. “We can't really pull off a monthly art walk at this point, but hopefully annually, or maybe quarterly eventually. We will see how this first one goes,” Reed said.

Macdonald is also looking forward to the event. “I think it’s going to to be a lovely afternoon,” Macdonald said, adding that artists are sometimes nervous about entering juried art shows, and so keeping it low-key allows artists without much exposure a place to try it out.

If the evening of July 29 doesn't work for your schedule, you have not lost your chance to see the art. Much of the artwork will remain up for several weeks during the summer.  “The fire station and Sunnycrest will be just for the night, Blend for the month of July and the library and Professional Center hopefully for July and August,” Reed said.

Although the list of participating artists was still being finalized as of press time, those who have already signed on include Taylor Reed, oils and photography; Margo Macdonald, tapestry and oils; Gail Kelly, pottery; Brynn Rydell, lamp glasswork and jewelry; Adria Hanson, oils; Robin Peterson, acrylics; Kathy Bauer, photography; Barb Boursheidt, pottery; and Britta Brones, mixed media.

Those interested in purchasing the art on display will not be disappointed. “There will be works of all kinds at all prices, functional and display art,” Reed said.

For information about the Key Center Art Walk, visit twowaters.org.