It’s not too late to be part of the first Poverty Bay Arts Festival in September. The deadline for artists and businesses to signup to participate has been extended to this Friday, July 30.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Arts Commission and the Associated Students of Highline Community College, the one-day arts festival will be held throughout the downtown Des Moines Marina District. It will showcase the incredible pool of local talent and feature the works of professional, college, secondary school and elementary school artists. Art will be displayed at various businesses and special venues.

For further information, contact Cora Morrison at desmoinesflorist@gmail.com or Vickie Bergquist at Vickie@vickieinsurance.com.

The Waterland Blog has obtained a copy of the letter that was sent out to the businesses in the Marina District of Des Moines last week. The folks at Poverty Bay Arts Festival are seeking 50 businesses that want to step up and host an artist on September 25th for the first Poverty Bay Arts Festival.

One of the business organizers, Vickie Bergquist of State Farm Insurance, told Waterland Blog that, “in our research we have found that businesses that are not normally open on Saturday, like banks for instance, will enjoy the benefit of additional traffic throughout the day.”

This event is a collaboration of the Des Moines Arts Commission, Marina District businesses, the Associated Students of Highline Community College and Des Moines citizens.

The Marina District includes Marine View Drive and 7th Avenue to the east and west and 216th and 227th on the north and south and all side streets in-between. Details to participate are in the letter below.

Download a Adobe PDF copy of the letter.

Des Moines’ newest arts event is the Poverty Bay Arts Festival, which will happen Saturday, Setp. 25th from 10am – 4pm around the Marina District, and the festival committee has issued an official Call For Entries for Artists and their Artwork.

Sponsored by the Des Moines Arts Commission and the Associated Students of Highline Community College, the one-day arts festival will be held throughout the downtown Des Moines Marina District. It will showcase the incredible pool of local talent and feature the works of professional, college, secondary school and elementary school artists. Art will be displayed at various businesses and special venues.

Also scheduled are street performances and a Poetry Slam.

Anyone interested in participating should visit the festival website at www.povertybayartsfestival.com for more details and download the Call for Entries application (direct link here, PDF file).

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 23rd.

For further information, contact Cora Morrison at desmoinesflorist@gmail.com or Vickie Bergquist at Vickie@vickieinsurance.com.

by Nancy Wright

Following the official signing of a contract with the City of Des Moines on May 26, Artist Chandelle Anderson has begun creating a wall mural at SW 219th Street between Marine View Drive and 7th Ave. S in the Des Moines Marina District.

It is the culmination of an almost four-year effort by the Des Moines Arts Commission to secure a site for a public art project to honor aging through grants from the Des Moines Legacy Foundation. The long search for a suitable site met several road blocks, but the present site received wide approval with its southern exposure and central location. Part of the complex, which includes Des Moines QFC, is owned by David Yee. The wall is currently painted white, and Anderson’s vibrant 12’ x 37’ foot mural will soon cover it.

The mural depicts a contemporary vision of the elderly interacting with young people in a variety of simple tasks, portraying wisdom and self fulfillment, passing from one generation to the next. The setting is a realistic outdoor scene, by the water on a summer evening.

Working in high pigment acrylic resistant to UV rays and primed with two coats of primer and three coats of varnish, the mural should last many years, Anderson said. She’ll be working on scaffolding and a scissors lift during the painting, which should be completed in less than 6 weeks, weather permitting.

“If people stop by at the beginning and see lots of bright red and hot pink colors, they shouldn’t be concerned,” Anderson said. “It’s just underpainting.”

Anderson graduated summa cum laude in 2005 with a bachelor of arts degree in painting from Minnesota State University, and has won a number of awards. Her sketches and vision received unanimous approval from the arts commission in a “blind” viewing of entries, said Recreation Coordinator Nic Lind, who handled the details for the Parks and Recreation Department.

This isn’t her first mural-painting experience. Last summer she was invited back to her home town of Huron, South Dakota, where she painted a 20 x 180 mural as part of a historic restoration project. In fact, she said, she loved Des Moines at first sight.

“I connected emotionally with Des Moines at once. It’s a lot like home.”

Over the past four years, The Des Moines Legacy Foundation has donated $10,000 for this public art project, said Arts Commissioner Nancy Stephan, who led the project for the commission’s visual arts committee. The committee members include Anita Corby, Katherine Caughey, Cora Morrison and Clark Snure.

Mount Rainier High School student Yukiko Browne won Honorable Mention in the high school art category in the Jacob Friedman Holocaust Writing and Art Contest 2010.

The contest had over 750 entries from across the state.

Yukiko is a 10th grader at Des Moines MRHS, and her Teacher is Ms. Robins.

Here’s her impressive artwork, along with an explanation:

My drawing expresses the theme of tolerance and rebirth, portrayed in the image of a chimney stack tree. The dark foreboding clouds that roll out of the chimney represent the crematorium victims who died in the holocaust; the wilted flower which looks up at the tree represents the feeling of despair that the holocaust brought forth. The small sprouts on the chimney tree represent the descendants of the Nazis. The children grow in this place because of the tolerance towards their undesirable ancestry.

The City of Normandy Park is holding its annual Arts Festival at City Hall on June 6th and 7th, with the theme “A Walk Through The Park.”

Aside from providing a great weekend fest, this event also allows local artists to participate – and any Artists, Vendors, and Volunteers wishing to participate will need to complete the Arts Festival Application (link here, PDF file).

Deadline to submit applications is May 14, 2010.

Here’s text from the city’s website:

A Walk Through The Park – Normandy Park 2010 Arts Festival

The City of Normandy Park’s Arts Festival is held annually on the first weekend in June. It is an opportunity for artists of all ages to take part in a juried arts show and to sell their hand made art and crafts. It is a wonderful time for everyone in the community to enjoy viewing the talent of local artists.

2010 Arts Festival

WHEN: June 6th and June 7th 10am-4pm

WHERE: City Hall, 801 SW 174th Street

INFO: Artists, Vendors, and Volunteers wishing to participate in event will need to complete the Arts Festival Application (link here).

Deadline to submit applications is May 14, 2010.

The deadline for Artists to submit artwork for the 2010 Des Moines Farmers Market poster is this Friday, March 26th.

This is a great opportunity to have your artwork showcased on a widely-distributed poster that will advertise this great weekly local event. The poster will be displayed from May to Mid-October of this year.

The deadline for entries is this Friday, March 26th at 5pm.

Entries must include elements of:

• Farmer’s Market
• Agricultural
• Des Moines
• Marina
• Or other related theme to the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market seeking Artists to submit art for their 2010 poster; artists age can range from Kindergarten to College.

WHEN: Deadline for submission is 5pm, Friday, March 26th.

WHERE: Submit artwork, along with completed form (download & complete Word .doc here) to:

Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market
P.O. Box 98843
Des Moines, WA 98198

INFO: From a flier:

Be part of the Waterland community and see your artwork represented on the poster that advertises the successful, marina-located farmers market!

Open to those who live or go to school in the Des Moines area.

Posters will be displayed from mid May-October 2010

Class project or individual entries accepted.

Please relate artwork theme to the farmers market, agriculture, marina location, Des Moines or similar subject matter.

A form must be attached to each piece of artwork submitted.

Multiple entries can be picked up at one location by contacting Debra at 2010dmfmposter@earthlink.net 24 hours prior to deadline.

For more information, check out the Des Moines Farmers Market website here.

(In consideration for the privilege to distribute the attached materials, the Highline School District shall be held harmless from any cause of action, claim or petition filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including all costs, attorney’s fees, and judgments or awards.)

Every year, Members of Congress are allowed to display one piece of artwork by a high school student from their district in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Congressman Adam Smith, who represents Washington’s 9th Congressional District (which includes Des Moines), is holding an annual judged art competition to select which local art receives this honor, with a deadline of April 9th.

The selected student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, 2010 in Washington, DC. two round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC. The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Prizes also include a scholarship to the Savannah Collage of Art and Design.

If you have any questions or want to receive electronic updates about Rep. Adam Smith’s Congressional Art Contest please contact Ms. Debra Entenman (253) 593-6600 or email: Debra.Entenman@mail.house.gov.

For contest guidelines, please download the forms from Adam’s website here.

2010 Congressional Arts Competition:

The Congressional Arts Competition allows each Member of Congress to display one piece of artwork, created by a high school student in their district, in the Capitol for one year.

Entries for the 9th Congressional District Art Contest are due by 5:00 PM on Friday April 9, 2010. All submissions should be sent to:

Congressman Adam Smith
2209 Pacific Avenue, Suite B
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Additionally, during the month of April, most entries will be on display at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Avenue). However, please be advised that due to space limitations it may not be possible to display all entries.

The winner of the competition will be announced at the Art Exhibition and Reception on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:00 pm at The Tacoma Art Museum.

The winning student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. Three round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC. The winning entry will be displayed in the Cannon tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.

2010 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines:

The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus. Each Member’s office can choose whether or not to include 7th and 8th grades in the art competition if there are schools in its district that fit these criteria. Additionally, official resources are to be used only to the extent authorized by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

In order to allow artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are enforced:

• Artwork must be two dimensional;
• Each piece can be no larger than 28”x28”x 4” (28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep) including the frame. Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs;
• Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo (not the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing);
• Artwork must arrive in Washington by May 24, 2010 for inclusion in the exhibition.
• Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
  

  Last year's Congressional art contest winner Arunan Mukphrom with Congressman Adam Smith at his office in Washington DC. The winning artist and their family were invited to Washington, D.C. to see their artwork hung in the Capitol.

Artwork accepted mediums are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
• Collage: must be two dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

Paper Work:

A typed and securely affixed large label must be applied to the back of each piece. Also provide a typed copy of the Student Release form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

The winning artist’s student release form along with the Member Approval form should be sent to DC via fax to 202.225.3012, attn: 2010 Art Competition, as soon as you have chosen a winning artwork .

Release forms and Member Approval forms must be received by May 28th. This will allow us to determine if more information is required from the student before actually receiving the artwork.

The final decision regarding the suitability of all artwork for the 2010 Congressional Art Competition exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.

Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission.

In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed.

It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portion not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit.

Framing Guidelines:

High School students in Washington's District 9 are eligible.

Framing guidelines apply only to the ONE winning artist/artwork that will be sent to Washington, DC.

All artwork must be framed. Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible.

Metal frames are recommended. No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.

All artwork must be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is preferred. If glass is used, special packing and shipping arrangements are encouraged to ensure that the work is not damaged if the glass breaks.

All works, including frame, should be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, to the outside of the frame, and 15 lbs. in weight. Please double check the size before sending the entry to Washington, DC. Due to wide participation of Member offices, framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.

Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.

Use sturdy picture hangers on the back of the frame. Two sturdy eye hooks should be attached at the top right and left sides of the back of the work for hanging in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. Do not put wire between the hooks for hanging; these will be added when the artwork is hung in the Capitol.

Do not attach labels, ribbons, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.

If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is “up” with arrows.

As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her own entry. Any hardship case should be assisted at the district level; works can no longer be framed by the Architect of the Capitol.

A typed copy of the Student Information & Release Form must be securely attached to the back of the artwork.

More information on this art competition is available at Adam Smith’s website.

Des Moines United Methodist Church will be holding a full-day “Scrap into Spring” Scrapbooking Workshop on Saturday, March 6th, from 8am to 5pm at their campus at 22225 9th Ave South.

Cost is $30 per person, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, and a 4-foot space to work.

Here are the details:

WHAT: All-day “Scrap Into Spring” Scrapbooking Workshop.

WHEN: Saturday, March 6th from 8am to 5pm.

WHERE: Des Moines United Methodist Church, located at 22225 9th Ave South, Des Moines, 98198.

COST: $30 per person (includes continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, and a 4-foot space to work).

INFO: From the church’s website:

SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOPS

Saturday, March 6, 8am to 5pm.

Participate in a day of scrapbooking fun and creative workshops.

Work on your scrapbooks or start a scrapbook, and enjoy some wonderful meals – all for only $30, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, and a 4 ft space to work.

NO registration at the door.

MUST PRE-REGISTER by March 3 at desmoinesumc.org or call 206-878-8301.

All proceeds go to the Youth group for their summer mission trip.

Click here to get the registration form or for more information.

The Des Moines Farmers Market is seeking Artists to submit artwork for the 2010 Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market poster, which will be displayed from May to Mid-October of this year.

This is a great opportunity to have your artwork showcased on a widely-distributed poster that will advertise this great weekly event.

Please note that the deadline for entries is 5pm March 26th.

Entries must include elements of:

• Farmer’s Market
• Agricultural
• Des Moines
• Marina
• Or other related theme to the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market seeking Artists to submit art for their 2010 poster

WHEN: Deadline for submission is 5pm March 26th.

WHERE: Submit artwork, along with completed form (download & complete Word .doc here) to:

Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market
P.O. Box 98843
Des Moines, WA 98198

INFO: From a flier:

Be part of the Waterland community and see your artwork represented on our poster that advertises the successful marina-located Farmers Market!

Open to those that live or go to school in the Des Moines area.

Posters will be displayed from mid May-October 2010.

Class project or individual entries accepted.

Multiple entries can be picked up at one location by contacting Debra at 2010dmfmposter@earthlink.net 24 hours prior to deadline.

For more information, check out the Des Moines Farmers Market website here.

The annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was a smash hit Friday (Jan. 29th), setting records in both attendance (964 diners) and total amount of money raised (over $13,000).

“We had 477 people attend during lunch and 487 who came out for dinner,” said Mike Werle, Highline Food Bank Executive Director. “The amount of money raised was a little over $13,000.”

Werle added, “There must have been over 40 people who volunteered at the event, many of who were probably not counted because they didn’t come through the front door. Therefore I think we had over 1,000 people who contributed to the dollar total.”

“Do me a favor and put a big plug in for all the work that Gina Kallman and Debra George put in to make this event happen. They are awesome!”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow shot during the dinner serving by Scott Schaefer:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

Also, as previously reported, BTB Photographer Michael Brunk took these shots during the lunch hour:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

by Gina Bourdage

Set in the familiar location of Snoqualmie Pass, an unlikely group of travelers find themselves trapped by the snow-closed passes in “Snowbound,” which opens Friday, Jan. 15th at WLB Advertiser E.B. Foote Winery.

In the solitude of a quaint local inn, each guest is faced with conflicting personal struggles, not only with themselves but with the other guests as well. Learning that the local sheriff (a guy reminiscent of Barney Fife, played by Scott Green) is looking for an escaped convict only adds to their heightened sense of self preservation and sends each person seeking answers about who they can trust and what they are really looking for.

The cast of this Breeders Theater production showcases an array of experienced talent, all of whom holds your attention and keeps you guessing. Each actor brings a unique perspective to their role, including:

• Binky (played by Brenan Grant) the “emo” young man who relishes in his own misery.
• Lovely (played by Teresa Widner) whose out of control hormones seem to be too much for even her to handle at times let alone her trail of conquests.
• Ike (played by Martin J. Mackenzie) the innkeeper who had such a convincing of role of the friendly small town fellow whose trustworthy and friendly nature draws people to him.
• Glenda (played by Kelly Johnson), Binky’s mother, shows hints of a 50s sitcom housewife whose traditional values are challenged by raising a rebellious young man.
• Hank Thompson (played by Andrew Smith) the seemingly sincere, reliable and at times dryly sarcastic chef finds himself thrown into uncomfortable positions of his fellow traveler’s dilemmas.
• The young couple “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (played by Stephen Scheide and Laura Smith) who find themselves in a suspicious bind that even they are unsure of how to resolve.

Each guest is presented with the overwhelming concern of not only wanting to avoid an encounter with the escaped convict, they have to question; could the convict be among them? Distracted by only their own egotistical veils, each person reveals humorous and deeper struggles among each other.

While I found each performance to be well played, I struggled with the level of general air-headedness that most of the women and at times the men possessed. Being confused is one thing, but as the script rolled along the naivety prevailed leaving me to question the characters’ intended intelligence.

The lack of an actual set was at first distracting for me; however the actors/characters got and kept my attention quickly enough for me to get past it. The theater in the round, or more like “audience as bookends,” might be new for some viewers, but brings a complete perspective to the show and allows you to see each scene as if you were actually there.

All in all this TM Sell play directed by Michael Brunk was humorous, charming and engaging while bringing a level of the traditional whodunnit to an unsuspecting ending that I can only say was jarringly layered and thought-provoking.

I would recommend not missing this performance of “Snowbound,” especially for Alfred Hitchcock and Twilight Zone fans, as the references are abundant…just be sure to bring a coat.

No, seriously – it can get a little chilly at E.B. Foote Winery this time of year.

Tickets are $20, and include the play, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting by E.B. Foote.

You can purchase them at the winery (127-B SW 153rd in Burien; 206-242-3582), at CorkyCellars here in Des Moines (206-824-9462) or online here.

by Mark Neuman

We had a regularly scheduled staff meeting at The Waterland Blog’s dorm room-like offices Wednesday morning, where a non-regularly scheduled question was asked.

“Hey Neuman. Can you do a review of the dress rehearsal of the comedy ‘Snowbound’ at E.B. Foote Winery (WLB Advertiser) tonight?”

“Well, uh, I’ve never actually reviewed an actual play before,” I stammered.

“Good,” said Blog Editor Scott Schaefer. “I’ll expect your review in the morning.”

Great. What do I do now?

Honesty is the best policy I reminded myself, so hours before I arrived at the winery, home of many Breeder Theater’s productions over the past several years, I “pre-wrote” my opening review paragraphs, which I now present, for the reader’s approval:

In the spirit of full disclosure it should be noted that, first of all, in addition to never having reviewed a play before, I met ‘Snowbound’s’ author, playwright T.M. Sell, almost a third of a century ago, while hanging out at the Highline Community College newsroom, where my pals would, late at night, put the school newspaper, The Thunderword, to bed, as they say in the biz.

Second, I intended the above paragraph to be as run-on-ish as it appears.

Third, I was lucky enough to have made the pleasant acquaintance of ‘Snowbound’s’ director, Michael Brunk, last year. He is a brilliant Photographer, and we work together with Schaefer on the blog.

Michael’s skill with the camera is amazing. He reaches the summit on his photographic mountain climbs so amazingly frequently that we blog staffers just stare skyward and declare: ‘Good Brunksmanship!’

And fourth, speaking of E.B. Foote Winery, I actually know THE E.B. Foote. The Footes were among my best friends growing up, going way back to first grade. Chris Foote and I visited his parents as they were just finishing building out their first winery, in South Park, also about a third of a century ago.

Okay. Full disclosure is out of the way.

At the winery Wednesday night, minutes before the house lights did what house lights do just before a play is about to start, I looked over and Thank Goodness there was my blog colleague Gina Bourdage, with her friend Jack, who reminds one of a quiet and calm Jack Black.

“I’ll be doing the review of the play tonight,” said Gina, confidently. Wisely, Schaefer had recalculated the assignment.

“And I’ll just tell the story of a Regular Joe such as myself who never sees theater,” I responded.

“Fine,” smiled Gina as she and Mr. Black moved on.

Relieved, to say the least, that Ms. Bourdage would handle the rough stuff, I felt free to muse over and note such things as the jar full of multicolored M&M’s at the table of hors d’oeuvres.

“M&M’s at the hors d’oeuvres table!” I said to myself, because, well, no one else was within earshot. “Clearly Sell’s and Brunk’s contracts demanded the confection. And just as clearly, the winery refused to be limited to just one color, Led Zeppelin style. Or was it The Who? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Well, anyway.”

Gina will provide details of the play under a different headline, but let me give you a thumbnail of “Snowbound”:

Dean Martin plays an airline pilot who has an affair with a beautiful flight attendant, played by Jacqueline Bisset…

Then…oops, sorry…those are my notes from the first film I reviewed, “Airport,” for the Lafayette Elementary School Gazette back in 1970.

Let’s see here. Lemme get a little better organized. Okay. Here we go:

“Snowbound” is a mirthful production that concerns a group of unique personalities stuck in a lodge near the pass, just off I-90, in a wicked snow storm. The roads are all closed for the foreseeable future. And wouldn’t you know it? An inmate has escaped from the state pen in Monroe. A killer, perhaps? Is he among those stuck in the lodge?

What will T.M Sell think of next? See the play (it starts this Friday, Jan. 15th), and find out. It’s terrific, especially for the $20 price, which includes wine tastings, hors d’ouevres and of course, a great and entertaining play chock full of lots of Sellishness and Brunksmanship (you can buy tickets online here).

Stage Manager, Andrew Pogue, when asked before the show what advice he gives to anyone about to stage manage their first play, said: “Don’t start out with ‘Annie.’ And use checklists. Lots and lots of checklists.”

When asked after the dress rehearsal by this reporter what advice he had for anyone wanting to write their first play, T.M. Sell said “Know what you want to write, and stick with it. The initial writing part is relatively easy. It’s the rewriting process that can be difficult.”

He then said “Now Neuman, please go away and don’t contact me again for another third of a century.” (Just kidding, folks.)

Nancy Warren arranged the music and sang beautifully. Word is that regular Breeder Theater goers complain if Nancy does not sing somewhere during a performance.

An audience member, who I will refer to as “Becky” because, well, her name IS Becky, said “Of the four Breeder Theater plays I’ve seen, ‘Snowbound’ is the funniest. I laughed repeatedly.”

Kelly Johnson, who plays Glenda, the mother of Binky, has been acting since childhood. She has advice for prospective actors about to read for their first part: “Go bravely,” said the auburn beauty.

Go, ready to enjoy yourself, to “Snowbound.” I heartily recommend it. It runs through January 31st.

Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

Coming soon to E.B. Foote Winery in Burien is Breeder Theater’s latest production: “Snowbound,” which opens Friday, Jan. 15th

Written by local playwright T.M. Sell, the story is set at a lodge in the Washington mountains. As winter snows block the passes stranding the guests, the local sheriff stops by with troubling news about an escaped convict:

• Could one of the guests be the suspected killer?
• Can any of them really be trusted?
• And just how many references to Alfred Hitchcock titles are in the show anyway?

The cast and crew have been hard at work since the end of November preparing the show for its debut on January 15th. The process includes extensive scene rehearsals as actors work with the director and stage manager to refine their movements on stage, their characterization and the all-import line memorization. In collaboration with the author, the script is also put through a final scrubbing as it is finalized for the show. The schedule for “Snowbound” was especially challenging logistically with interruptions for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

All of the hard work will soon pay off as the production concludes the final technical rehearsals this coming week and is finally performed in front of a live audience. This is the part that makes the effort worthwhile, as the audience feedback lets the cast know how well they’ve done their job.

“Snowbound” is directed by The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk with music by Nancy Warren. The stage manager is Andrew Pogue. The cast includes Andrew Smith, Laura Smith, Teresa Widner, Steve Scheide, Kelly Johnson, Scott Green, Martin J. McKenzie and Brenan Grant.

The show will open on January 15th and run through January 31st with twelve performances. Show times are 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. In addition there are 7pm performances on the 20th, 27th and 28th.

Here’s the schedule:

• Friday Jan. 15
• Saturday Jan. 16
• Sunday Jan. 17
• *Wed. Jan. 20 (benefits Highline College Foundation)
• Friday Jan. 22
• Saturday Jan. 23
• Sunday Jan. 24
• Wed. Jan. 27
• Thursday Jan. 28
• Friday Jan. 29
• Saturday Jan. 30
• Sunday Jan. 31

*Jan. 20 show benefits Highline College Foundation

Tickets are just $20, and include the play, hors d’oeuvres and a wine tasting by E.B. Foote. You can purchase them at the winery (206-242-3582) and also at Corky Cellars in Des Moines (206-824-9462).

For more information please visit www.breederstheater.com.

For more info on E.B. Foote Winery, their website is here.

And of course, since “Snowbound” is Directed by Photographer Michael Brunk, you know we just have to include his Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Now that 2009 is over, it’s time for us to find another way to reflect on it – this time courtesy Photographer Michael Brunk, who put together a special SoundSlideshow of what he considers the best Photos of the year, as shot by himself, Scott Schaefer, Francis Zera, Maureen Hoffmann, Janet Grella and Gregory Rehmke:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s SoundSlideshow

Here’s another hot local shopping tip – the Des Moines Legacy Foundation is also selling some great, locally-made, photographed (by Carmen Scott) and produced Note Cards, Holiday Cards and 2010 Calendars – all of which make wonderful, useful gifts at a very low price.

Net proceeds help to sustain the charitable programs of the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

Calendars are just $5.00 each, and are available at the Des Moines Senior Center, Des Moines Field House, and City Hall.

A supply of 60 different Des Moines note cards and four Holiday card scenes are available at the Des Moines Senior Center for just $2.00 each. Many of them are also available at Des Moines Drugs.

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation would like to thank everyone for their support! Here’s some info from their website:

Every day our lives are enriched by the work of parks, recreation and senior services. Preserving our environment, giving dignity to our elderly, nurturing our children, providing activities that enrich and strengthen our community, these are all important values in Des Moines. The Des Moines Legacy Foundation was created in October 1999 to help and support the City of Des Moines parks, recreation, and senior services programs and ensure that Des Moines remains a beautiful, healthy, safe and caring place to raise our children and enjoy retirement.

The Des Moines Legacy Foundation is a not for profit, tax exempt, 501c3 foundation. As a non-profit organization, the foundation is able to write grants, fundraise & distribute funds for park, recreation, and senior programs and services that benefit and enhance the Des Moines community.

Through parks, recreation, and senior services, YOU can make a difference.

Here’s a sample of some of the cards available:

We’re proud of our latest Intern, Bryan Charles of Big Picture High School, who’s not only learning new things about storytelling, but has been teaching himself Flash and making numerous animations, all based around his original “3 Frog Bros” cartoon.

Here’s his latest creation, “3 Frog Bros Episode 5” in which the Frog Bros have a close encounter of the strange, and oftentimes funny, kind (keep in mind that he drew and animated this entire thing himself, with the only help coming from friends doing voices):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD_g6AkQNIw[/youtube]

Have a cartoon idea for Bryan? Email him here!

Burien’s Interim Art Space’s space in time is nearing its completion, with a Dec. 31st dismantling deadline fast approaching, and it’s fitting that the final big bash will be a special Day of the Dead “Night of 1,000 Pumpkins” celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1st.

Everyone’s invited to bring carved pumpkins and a candle to the B/ IAS site (beginning at 3:30pm), or carve one there to fill the area with illuminated jack o’ lanterns.

Bring something for the community Dia de las Muertes altar, walk through the cemetery, pay tribute to your departed loved ones and gather with your neighbor over food, drink and dance. Celebrate your community, your family and friends!

If you dig Tim Burton or Danny Elfman, or love Hispanic culture, you’re sure to enjoy this night (and we can assure you, we’ll be there…).

All pumpkins will be composted through a gift from King County Solid Waste.

Here’s info on B/ IAS from their website:

The Burien/ Interim Art Space (B/ IAS) is a year–long experiment that expires Dec. 31st. Founded by residents Dane Johnson and Kathy Justin, B/ IAS combines and transforms the concepts of art, temporary green spaces, and community gathering.

B/ IAS at Town Square displayed Burien’s first major temporary art piece, “The Passage,” a sculpture depicting a mother and child walking together to share and explore life. This artwork was first created by Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito for the 2005 Burning Man Arts Festival. The figures stand a dramatic 30′ and 20′ tall and are fabricated out of recycled and scrap metal.

B/ IAS is located just north of Burien Town Square; Phase I of the project is now under construction. This exciting space not only showcase art, but is an energetic gathering place for Burien’s citizens. B/ IAS is a working canvas being transformed by the efforts of both artists and the community throughout the year.

The art space celebrated its opening on Saturday, January 24th, 2009 with the installation of “The Passage.” The project will conclude a year later when the sculptures are removed.

B/ IAS is a collaboration between Ignition Northwest, the Burien Arts Commission, Urban Partners and GGLO.

Another major public artwork is coming to Des Moines – “Turtle Island Puget Sound” – a five-foot long bronze sculpture of a turtle carrying a topographic map of Puget Sound on its back, will be installed in front of the Des Moines Library on Monday, Oct. 19th.

Sculptor Mark Twain Stevenson was commissioned by the King County Library System to create the sculpture after a fundraising campaign that involved everyone from schoolchildren to local businesses raised $24,000 for the project.  Major donors to the project will be honored with a plaque to be installed in the library at a later date.

According to his website:

The turtle, relatively unchanged for hundreds of millions of years, has long been associated with perseverance, equanimity, benevolence and wisdom. Revered by many cultures, Turtle was often central to the stories of creation. Some consulted the complex lines of its back to learn the will of the gods.

For the Iroquois of the Eastern woodlands and shores, the entire North American continent was the back of a vast turtle, supporting the environment, culture and history, past and future- TURTLE ISLAND. Ancient Hindus and Chinese, too believed the world was supported by a giant tortoise.

Sculpted into the back of the turtle's shell is a topographic map of Puget Sound.

Pictured is Turtle Island II. Sculpted into the carapace is a representation of the Puget Sound landscape and watershed, including the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.

Turtle Island II, Puget Sound is showing at the Westcott Bay sculpture park. It was exhibited in the 2005 West Edge Sculpture Invitational on the Harbor Steps in Seattle, WA

I believe Turtle Island expresses our need to see the world as a whole living system in a way that is playful and inviting.

The public is invited to the official unveiling of the sculpture, which will take place on Saturday, October 24 at 3 PM, followed by light refreshments.

The Des Moines Library is located at 21620 11th Avenue South in Des Moines, next to Des Moines City Hall.

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson (5th District) was presented with the 2009 Local Hero Arts Award by the Washington State Arts Alliance (WSAA). Patterson, chosen from a slate of nominees from around the state, was honored for her strong support of cultural groups not only in her own district, but throughout South King County.

In 2004, Patterson hosted a community luncheon attended by scores of individuals involved in arts and heritage efforts, to discuss the cultural vitality of South King County. Out of that session, the South King County Cultural Coalition (better known as SoCoCulture) was formed.

Linda Petersen, chair of SoCoCulture, was among those who nominated Patterson for this year’s WSAA award.

“Julia Patterson’s vision has materialized into an active organization of almost 70 arts and heritage groups that share resources, ideas and marketing through a terrific website and bi-monthly meetings,” Petersen said. She also noted that in 2007, when the organization had grown too large to be run solely by volunteers, Patterson provided SoCoCulture with funding for a part-time administrator.

Today the web site, www.sococulture.org ,includes an online calendar featuring all members’ events, a page that posts auditions and calls for artists, and other pages listing current local exhibits, arts classes, and other cultural opportunities. The arts commissions of Des Moines, Tukwila, Renton, Kent and many other South King County cities are members, as are local historical societies, theater groups, orchestras, dance companies, and more.

“Julia’s continued support and enthusiasm have been visionary. We commend her leadership and passion for arts and heritage,” Petersen said.

Patterson represents King County’s 5th District, which includes:

• Des Moines
• Federal Way
• Kent
• Renton
• SeaTac
• Tukwila

The WSAA presented the Local Hero Award to Patterson at a ceremony in Olympia on Sept. 22nd.

On Saturday, Sept. 12th, the City of Des Moines held their third annual Children’s Art Festival at the Field House.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there and captured this photo slideshow (go all the way through it and you’ll even see Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler doing a Polynesion dance!):

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

The third annual Waterland Children’s Art Festival is coming to the Des Moines Field House on Saturday, Sept. 12th, from 10am to 2pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 3rd Annual Waterland Children’s Art Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10sm-2pm

WHERE: Des Moines Field House, located at 1000 South 220th Street

COST: $5 per child; Adults and children under 2 are free

INFO: “Des Moines Parks and Recreation invites you to come kick off the new school year with hands on arts and crafts, music, Camp KHAOS art show and special dance performances by Melanie’s Dance Unlimited and the Pacific Island Cultural Club!”

by Janet Grella

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m studying Italian and that I love all things Italian. So when I heard that native Italian artist Maria Grazia Repetto had moved to the area, I just had to meet her and hopefully talk a little Italiano with her.

My husband Michael joined us for dinner at Osteria da Primo, where Carlo and Lindsay made a fellow Italiana feel welcomed. Fortunately Michael was with us, as he served as translator part of the evening (my Italiano has barely made it past Buona Serra, Bongiorno Buona Notte and Ciao!).

Having just returned from two years of painting frescoes for homeowners and businesses in Arizona, Maria settled with a friend in Normandy Park. She joined us for dinner on a recent Tuesday night.

Her journey to our area began 12 years ago when she visited her college-aged son in Seattle. She loved the lushness, beauty and summer weather here.

“I could live here,” she thought.

So she went back to Milano, collected her 12-year old son, procured a visa and moved to Seattle. She spoke no English, and relied on connections with Italian speakers and her young sons to help her open a shop, begin a business and began working her art. Maria Grazia’s training is in the fine work of murals, frescoes, reliefs, stuccoes, oils on canvas, acrylics, watercolors, sketches and portraits. She quickly found herself accepting commissions in Seattle, and soon Boca Raton, and finally Arizona.

One of her fondest memories of a commissioned fresco was with Hedges Winery in Richland.

“I painted a beautiful view of the red mountains with vineyards and orchards and gold colored soft rounded hills of the desert,” she said. “It was painted in a private apartment above the chateau and can be seen by invitation only.”

She spent four months alone in the chateau, “creating, creating and creating.”

“It is sometimes very lonely when you paint frescoes,” Maria Grazia told BTB over prosciutto e melone and carcioffi fritti at Primo.

Another totally modern fresco (which she prefers over rennaisance style) was “The Tower” which includes partial view of Qwest Field in the background (see photo at left).

Here’s a video showing her in action, along with the progression of her work on “The Tower“:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpMZEKyrZps[/youtube]

“It looks completely weird, and I love it.”

She added that she was taught the art of fresco with a ‘modern’ take.

Maria Garcia proudly told us that every woman in her family is an artist, including her mother and sister who live in Italy, a sister in Brazil and another sister in France, plus two nieces. I guess you could call them the “Painting Repetto Women.”

Maria Grazia began the study of frescoes when she was 15.

“At the time I was studying, women were only expected to become secretaries, maids, shopworkers or wives and mothers” (can we infer, like many women of a certain age, Maria Grazia became a feminist?).

After our double espresso and sorbet de limone we did a passegiatta (walk about) of Burien and B/ IAS. Maria Grazia found our notorius ‘naked woman‘ sculpture “very beautiful and it looks like a real woman.” On the other hand, like many Burien-ites she is still trying to figure out ‘The Passage’ and the torn up grounds around it.

Her young sons are now grown into young men, aged 35 and 25 respectfully. Her oldest is with the FAA and his wife is a pilot for Horizon Airlines. Her youngest just graduated from the UW in Physics.

What’s next for our new resident italiana artist? She is shopping for a studio in the area.

“The medium I prefer is olio (oils). But I can’t do olio at home due to the smell.”

She’s currently working in acrylics in her Normandy Park home.

Here are some more videos that showcase her work:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl0MOR_USac[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_xC7ie_W4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_bvsTb0X84[/youtube]

To find out more about Maria Grazia Repetto and see her masterpieces click here.

The City of Normandy Park’s Arts Festival is coming up June 6th and 7th, and they’re looking for local artists to submit artwork for their annual juried show at their City Hall.

They will also provide an area for artists to sell their handmade artwork and crafts and are seeking additional artists to be vendors.

The deadline for application is May 15th, and those interested in participating as an Artist, Vendor, or Volunteer should contact the Normandy Park Arts Commission at artscomm@ci.normandy-park.wa.us. The 2009 Entry Forms are now available.

This will be a wonderful time for everyone in the community to enjoy viewing the talent of local artists, participate in the annual Walk-In-The-Park, or to just kick back and listen to the sounds of live music.

Some of the events at this arts festival will include:

• JURIED ART SHOW
  The juried show is open to amateur’s and professionals. Awards are given in both categories. For those who are new to the art experience, the City offers art classes throughout the year. These classes can prepare you for our annual Art Show.

• ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
  An opportunity to sell or purchase original art work and crafts.

• ENTERTAINMENT
  Live music throughout the day. Performers include various local youth groups.

More information is available at the Normandy Park website.