KINGSTON — Fire, coffee, music, food and all sorts of energy will be bringing new life to the Old Kingston Hotel when a new non-profit organization that has been offering classes for the past several months will truly open its doors to the community with a bash this weekend.

Community Art Works will be holding its grand opening gala this Saturday, July 20 from 6-10 p.m. at the hotel, bringing together a host of events to start the center off on the right brush.

David Weinstock, president of CAW, and his board of directors as well as volunteers and artists have contributed time and energy to help renovate the historic building as a multi-purpose art center for the Kingston community.

“We think that an art center is very potent to have in a community,” Weinstock said. “The central force is to create a space … the creative attitude is simple for teaching how to improvise and be in the moment.”

The organization started seven months ago in Suquamish, when David was approached about opening up an education center. A group was pulled together but found that rental space was too expensive. When the hotel was vacated in March, David and his group knew CAW’s new home had been found.

This weekend’s event will feature a silent art auction, featuring the work of local artists, including works from Erik Lindbergh, Jill Taylor, Pam BergLundh, Linda Spearman, Mary McClure, Melinda West, Weinstock and his wife, Judith Weinstock.

Appetites will be whetted by Judith’s cooking from her Culinary Arts program and a live jazz combo will provide the night’s entertainment.

The non-profit organization wants the community to utilize the center for everything inspiring and creative. Classes include pencil drawing, photography, paper making, watercolors, culinary arts and weaving are offered at the center.

To accommodate the varying interests of the community, the center is offering “Tuesday Night Circles.” The drop-in gathering is provided every Tuesday and welcomes everything from knitting and poetry to photography and music.

In addition, the music circle at Northern Expressions, formerly known as the Coffee Cantina, in Suquamish, will be moving to the art center on Friday nights starting July 26. Memberships are available, providing special benefits, including half price admission to special CAW lectures, concerts and performances and invitations to submit work for juried gallery shows.

Tickets for the gala, which will be held at the Old Kingston Hotel, 25931 Washington Boulevard, on the corner of 1st Street and Washington Boulevard, can be reserved by calling 297-2295 or purchasing them at the door. The suggested donation is $10 a person and $25 a family.