by Alec Clayton
Fall is a time for rebirth, for rejuvenation, especially when coming in the wake of a scorching dry summer and a pandemic that refuses to go away. Children return to school, and there will be football — Friday Night Lights at area high schools and U-Dub and Seahawks on the telly. Fall marks the beginning of the new theatrical season, with Michael Parker’s Who’s in Bed with the Butler at Olympia Little Theatre Oct. 20 to Dec. 5, Harlequin’s Every Brilliant Thing at South Puget Sound Community College Oct. 13 to 28, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical October 6-29, at Olympia Family Theatre, and more theatrical treats. Fall at The Washington Center offers such stellar entertainment as Patty Griffin and Todd Snider Oct. 28, and Cirque Mechanics: Zephyr — a Whirlwind of Circus Nov. 9.
And the biggest, most extravagant arts event of all: Olympia’s fall Arts Walk October 6 and 7.
Olympia Arts Walk is a semi-annual community event celebrating all of the arts, but with an emphasis on visual arts when a majority of downtown businesses turn parts of their stores into art galleries. Since 1990, thousands have gathered in downtown Olympia every year in both the spring and fall for a festive arts experience enjoyed by Olympians and by art and entertainment lovers from all around Western Washington. Street Closures this year will be Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
Up one flight of stairs above Bucks Fifth Avenue at 209 5th Ave., SE, Olympia calligraphy artist Sally Penley maintains her studio where she will be showing her latest works in calligraphy and sumi ink along with the art of Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team; Olympia Community Solar project illustrations; Joseph Moran, mixed media; BLIVID, lash artistry; and culinary arts from Sarah’s Love Bites and Buck’s Spices.
The art of high-flying aerial acrobatics will be on display, and there will be workshops and teen activities at Airbound Arts, 312 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. Workshops will be held Friday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 4-6 p.m. There will be a circus spectacular show Friday at 1:30 and Saturday from 4-6 p.m., tickets $15).
Tom Anderson, master of diverse media and texture and mark-making will show his latest art in copper and mixed media at Art House Designs, 420 Franklin St. SE, Olympia. Also at Art House will be acrylic and ink work by Arrington de Dionyso, and the Steven Bentley Jazz Quartet will provide live music with fresh-funk fusion vibes and classical inspiration Friday from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The astounding painter Sandra Bocas will show a group of her stylized and powerful portraits at her studio at 317 4th Ave E, Ste 103 Olympia. Also at Bocas Art Studio will be local ceramic artist Toni Lawrence with her hand-built and colorfully ecstatic pieces.
Childhood’s End Gallery at 222 4th Ave W, Olympia will have a show called “Autumn’s Chorus”a fine-art and craft exhibition of crows, ravens, and the “Spirit of Autumn” featuring works byKathy Anderson, printmaking; Mimi Williams, printmaking;
Elizabeth Berrien, wire sculpture; Liza Brenner, oil paint; Boni and Dave Deal, raku ceramics; Loralin Toney, ceramic sculpture; and Judith Smith, mixed media.
Literary events during Arts Walk will include readings/discussions/visual arts from artist workers members at Orca Books Cooperative, 315 5th Ave SE, Olympia at 11 a.m. and literature and illustration by Corinna Luyken at Browsers Bookshop, 107 Capitol Way N, Olympia at 5 p.m.
Expect traffic to be insane during Arts Walk. Best bet: walk or catch public transportation, or leave home early and arrive downtown in time to eat at one of Olympia’s many fine downtown restaurants before exploring the many art venues.
Much more on Arts Walk and other fall arts in this issue of OLY ARTS.
WHAT
Arts Walk
WHEN
October 6-7. 6-10 p.m. Friday and noon-6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE
Throughout downtown Olympia
LEARN MORE
For the full schedule visit the events page at artswalkoly.com/events