Summer finally arrived and the big yellow ball in the sky is a great sight to behold.
With the warmer weather we are seeing more locals and visitors in Port Gamble. All the brightly colored flowers from our hanging baskets and the lush green lawns tell us summer is here and yet it brings us closer to school starting and Christmas!
A new part of my column each month is that we are going to spotlight Port Gamble businesses. This month it is The Artful Ewe I & II and Beverly Hooks Fine Arts Studio.
The Artful Ewe I & II
Heidi Dascher is the owner and artist who is creating the amazing items you see in her stores. Her two stores are more like working studios and if you have never knitted, spun fibers or done weaving, she is the one to teach you and possibly hook you into a new craft.
Her shop is filled with a wide variety of hand-dyed, un-spun fibers ranging from basic wools and cottons to lush angoras and cashmeres. Plant-based products are also available, including cotton, flax and hemp. Dascher dyes nearly all the fibers, which are priced by the ounce. A small selection of fibers are created by some of her close friends. The dyes used are eco-friendly but colorfast and lightfast with each color almost never repeated. Dascher offers free drop spindle and knitting lessons for those interested in learning each craft.
Last year, Dascher opened a second shop called The Artful Ewe II, which is primarily is a space for weavers to come together. You can take lessons or rent loam time by the hour to create many wonderful masterpieces.
Visit The Artful Ewe I at 32180 Rainier Ave NE (the old Meat Market), located next to the water towers. The Artful Ewe II is located at 32260 Rainier Ave NE between the Dauntless Bookstore and the Walker-Ames House.
Beverly Hooks Fine Arts Studio
Beverly Hooks creates from her home studio in Poulsbo and her studio/gallery at Port Gamble. With a free flowing style, Hooks has been described as a Romantic Impressionist. Infused with subtle tones of the ancient venues, yet vibrant with fresh color and inviting movement.
Her love of art, which parallels 17 years as a professional interior designer, led Hooks to her inevitable career of painting. The many years of design have enhanced her understanding for the necessity of works of art as a balance for both the esthetic and life’s expression. Working exclusively on custom projects has positively influenced Hook’s understanding for commission paintings.
Hook was fortunate to indulge in a stay and study of the English countryside. During many painting workshops she was greatly influenced by her instructor Stanley Warburton.
European and English paintings appoint her canvas after her eight-month stint in England.
Among her awarded accomplishments are recent commissions to Austria to paint the historic Hunters Castle (Schloss Mittersill). Also, the prestigious juried grant by the US Park grant by the U.S. Park Services Artist-in-residence as featured artist at Hot Springs National Park, Ark.; as well as local and national venues. Please visit her website gallery for more information — www.beverlyhooks.com.
Her love of art has influenced her understanding and success as a commission painter. Beverly has painted for twenty years. She has been nationally juried for numerous shows and gallery exhibitions.
Painting is her passion lured by the enthralling beauty and miraculous light offered each season while at home in the Pacific Northwest. Please contact Beverly at www.beverlyhooks.com or visit her studio at 32260 Rainier Ave NE.
Join us in Port Gamble for the upcoming August events:
Paddle Kitsap
Aug. 6
Kayak from Port Gamble to Poulsbo in a two-day paddle through North Kitsap’s “String of Pearls.” This is an all0-ages event. Cost is $175. For more information call (360) 697-6095 or visit www.paddlekitsap.com.
Port Gamble Garage Sale
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 7
One man’s castoffs are another man’s treasure. Hunt for your own treasures in this town-wide garage sale. Look for signs in yards.
Port Gamble Half Marathon
8 a.m., Aug. 8
Join fellow runners for a half marathon foot race on the Port Gamble Trails. Contact Poulsbo Running for more information and registration at poulsborunning@foxinternet.com, www.rootsrockrun.com, or (360) 779-8757.
Wool Workshop
12:30–3:30 p.m., Aug. 8
(second Sundays)
This is your chance to get started working with wool, work on one of the 2009 Wool Block of the Month Projects, finish up old Wool Block of the Month Projects, or start a new wool applique project. Cost is $7.50 per month or $55.00 per year year. Visit www.quiltedstrait.com for more information.
Maritime Music Festival
12–5 p.m., Aug. 14
The fifth annual Maritime Music Festival will be held at the General Store and The Walker-Ames House. Performances will be given by the The Whateverly Brothers, Broadside, Tugboat Bromberg, Wendy Joseph and Spanaway Bay.
For more information contact Chris Glanister (425) 218-5872.
