By Marilyn Liden Bode
Beyond the construction and the “Art Gallery Open” sign is a vast array of fine art by the 23 artists of the Kingston Art Gallery. In May, Christy Camerer’s astonishing color pencil drawings and Harv Kolln’s winsome Spirit Birds will be featured in their “Please … Handle the Birds” show. Join them and the other artists at our Second Saturday Gallery Night at 5-8 p.m. May 10.
So what is the construction all about? The gallery’s dream is to have more display space for our expanding group of artists and hold classes. Interested? If you have longed to take an art class or teach one, let our gallery manager Patty Watson-Halfhill know at (360) 297- 2095 or pawsmac@mac.com.
Christy Camerer’s passion for sketching started in elementary school, drawing for classmates in charcoal pencil. A Northwest Washington native, she has always had a strong love for the amazing mountains, waterways and animals. As her talent grew, her grandmother encouraged her to pursue her dreams and passions. Christy took up watercolor but desired more detail. She found color pencil to be the medium of choice and was told by family members to go beyond drawing gifts for family and friends. Thus began Bluewater Artworks, a husband and wife team that develops fine art, prints and note cards. All matting, framing and fitting work is done in-house to achieve a superior archival product. Both avid kayakers and hikers, photography from these outings is used primarily as the source of inspiration on a project. Christy and Russ Camerer live and work in Olalla.
Though Christy is relatively new to the gallery, Harv Kolln is an old timer. His Spirit Birds bring joy and grace to the homes of many North Kitsap folks. He too is a Northwest native although he studied and received his bachelor of fine arts degree at the San Francisco Art Institute and then returned for his master of fine arts degree from the University of Washington. Harv’s cedar Spirit Birds represent no specific bird but are sculpted and stained to capture and convey the character, attitude and personality of many of our Northwest birds – their spirit. Each Western Red Cedar bird is unique and crafted individually. Harv says “ I put the eyes where each bird asks me. After the eyes, when I look at them, they look back.” Harv cuts no live cedar. He lives in Poulsbo.
On May 1 at the Port of Kingston office, the gallery will open its Kingston Art Gallery Gift Shop. Intended to introduce boaters to local art at the gallery just up the hill, it is open to the public during port office hours: seven days a week 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and extended Memorial Day through Labor Day until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Check it out!
For more information about the Kingston Art Gallery, call (360) 297-5133 or go to www.kingstonartgallery.com. The gallery is located in the Cleo’s Landing building on Highway 104 in downtown Kingston.
