Spring Arts Walk sprouts anew

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, May 3, 2006

The sudden arrival of spring last week had many gardeners grabbing their trowels, pulling on the gloves and heading for that weed patch formerly known as “the garden.”

While gardens are starting to burst forth with color, many artists have passed the long dark winter by recreating sunny summer days on canvas and in craft.

More than three dozen artists were inspired by the Bainbridge Island Arts Walk spring theme “At the Garden Gate,” and will be showing their work at locations in downtown Winslow May 7.

Some of the art can be used in the garden, such as the ornamental ironwork of Gig Harbor artist Tom Torrens, at the Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery. Other works celebrate nature coming to life after the long winter sleep, such as the watercolor series by Annette Kensmoe or the pastel landscapes by Joan Kinsman, both at the Winslow Mall.

Arts Walk organizer Nicole Ringgold has made several changes to the Arts Walk in an effort to reinvigorate the event in its 10th year.

The Arts Walk will now be held twice a year, in May and October, instead of four times a year.

“I anticipate that a twice annual event will provide more time for event planning, recruitment of artisans, coordination of logistics and marketing,” she recently said. “Additional exhibit options will attract a wider variety of artists and result in increased numbers of participants.”

Venues now have the option of hosting either an artist or a musician.

“Adding a musical segment to the walk will lead to a more festive and widely attended event,” Ringgold said.

Guitarist Rick Barrenger plays in the Winslow Mall from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a marimba band from 3:30-5 p.m.

Just up the street at Winslow Green, Scott Bowman and The Drumming Circle will perform from noon to 3 p.m.

Several locations also feature artists demonstrating their crafts, and new this year will be artists set up in booths at Winslow Green.

The Bead Garden will demonstrate using clay made out of pure silver to create charms, earrings and other jewelry parts. At The Island Gallery woodworker Keith Mesirow will demonstrate the fine art of Japanese joinery.

All of the art is on display at businesses and galleries within a few blocks of each other, making for a leisurely morning or afternoon stroll.

The Bainbridge Island Arts Walk takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7.

Venues and artists on the Walk are:

• Prudential Northwest Real Estate: William Wentworth, stainless steel and bronze sculptures and fountains.

• The Winslow Courtyard: Heidi Jack, sterling silver jewelry, sculpted pottery.

• The Bead Garden: Demonstration of silver clay work.

• The Traveler: Nicole Ringgold, painted wood furniture and murals.

• Esther’s Fabrics: Rebecca Bowman Collier, handcrafted handbags; Alison Miller, jewelry with natural, vintage and exotic elements.

• Dana’s Showhouse: Carolyn Yacobucci, watercolors.

• American Marine Bank: Connie Castellano, fine jewelry.

• The Winslow Mall: Annette Kensmoe, garden watercolors; Joan Kinsman, garden and landscape pastels.

• Along Winslow Way: Lauri Hewitt, lampglass beadwork; Tracy Lang, watercolors of baby toys; Darcy Thompson, mosaic garden art.

• Port Madison Home Furnishings: Kate deVeaux, acrylic paintings.

• Blackbird Bakery: Kathy Johnson, mixed media work.

• Churchmouse Yarns and Teas: The Obi show, featuring variations on the Japanese Obi-style jacket.

• Roby King Galleries: Lynn Brofsky, monochromatic figure paintings; Horst Gottschalk, acrylic paintings.

• Mandarin Asian Antiques: Terry Moyemont, local and international garden photography.

• Eagle Harbor Book Company: Karyn Carpenter, photography.

• Bainbridge Arts and Crafts: Tom Torrens, garden art using recycled materials.

• Bad Blanche: Kate Smith, ethnic jewelry.

• The Island Gallery: Woodworker Keith Mesirow demonstrates the art of Japanese joinery.

• Kennedy and Kate: Eric Laury, mixed media paintings.

• Fox Paw: Emily Grice, photography.

• The Winslow Green: Artists exhibiting outdoors on the green are Mary Edwards, semi-precious jewelry; John Haydon, papier mache and carved wood; Becky Pittaro, metal garden art; Lisa Ramasco, fun and funky beaded jewelry; Celeste Santerre, beaded jewelry; Lee Stacie, watercolors; Sydni Sterling, paintings of water gardens and koi.

• Buckley and Buckley Real Estate: Joanne Schoener Scott, acrylic paintings.

• Doc’s Marina Grill: Max Mudie, tall ship photographs.

• Harbor Public House: Bill Thompson, photography.

Brochures with all artist locations marked are available at most downtown businesses, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and at Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, 221 Winslow Way W, Suite 201, Bainbridge Island.

The Arts Walk is a twice-yearly event and is a program of the BIAHC. Artists and performers interested in participating in future events may contact the Arts Walk organizer Nicole Ringgold at artswalk@earthlink.net.