by Annette Farrell
Those craving an off campus cultural experience this weekend, look no further than the First Friday art walk, taking place primarily in downtown Spokane on March 4. As the name indicates, this free evening of art occurs every first Friday of the month, and is the perfect opportunity to explore the variety of art galleries, gift shops, dining and entertainment venues scattered around the city center.
The Spokane Arts Commission lists more than 30 venues for this next First Friday, so art seekers won’t be able to get to all of the galleries in one night, but below you will find a list of some of the most promising events of the evening. Don’t worry if you don’t see everything you wanted to on Friday, since many venues are also open on Saturday and Sunday.
Tinman Gallery
811 W Garland Ave
While you make your way downtown, stop by the Garland shopping district and visit the Tinman Gallery, a bookstore within an art gallery. Featuring the watercolor paintings of Deanna Camp, the artist reception takes place from 5-9pm.
Jundt Art Museum
Gonzaga University
“Chagall, Kollwitz, Miró, & Picasso,” an exhibit from the Gonzaga University Permanent Collection is on display in the Arcade Gallery until March 12. This is your chance to see art by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, and admission is free, but the gallery closes at 4 p.m.
Second Space Gallery
610 W 2nd Ave
Abstract paintings by Edward Gilmore are on display at the Second Space Gallery. Gilmore loves the process of art making, and his work looks great on the walls of this mid-sized, urban gallery.
Kolva-Sullivan Gallery
115 S Adams St, Suite A
Month after month, this gallery brings quality, provocative art to the Spokane public. “Absence 1 Silence and Topographic Politics” opens on Friday with mixed media from the Architecture Graduate Thesis of Alan Abdulkader. Plus, parking is easy to find nearby.
Saranac Art Projects
25 W Main Ave
This gallery, located in Spokane’s community building, is an artist co-op run by a group of dedicated visual artists. This is the place to go if you are looking for something a little outside of the mainstream. This March, the Saranac features paintings by Eric Peffer and sculpture by Cori McWilliams.
Chase Gallery – City Hall
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
The Spokane Arts Commission presents “Telling the American Story: History, Memory, Place, Story, Picture, Space,” a group exhibition in conjunction with Eastern Washington University’s Get Lit! Festival. The show features collaborative works by teams of poets and artists.
One of the biggest and most exciting artist receptions will take place at the Chase Gallery, located downstairs in City Hall. This is a must-see not only because of the size of the exhibition, or its affiliation with the month long Get Lit! program, but also because of the talented artists participating in the themed show.
In fact, three people from Whitworth make up one of the teams: Gordon Wilson, art professor, John Kuhn, 2011 alumnus and Laurie Lamon, English professor who are creating an installation called, “Things We Throw Away.” This installation is about the creative process – art that is discarded, ideas erased, life as it changes.
Details about the show and the teams of artists may be found at the Spokane Arts Commission website.