Homemade Gifts for the Holidays

Fractured Impressions Wall Hanging (unfinished)


How did this happen? Last month I was looking for summer in California (I didn’t find it but I did not get as far south as Los Angeles where they were breaking heat record) and now I am listing Holiday bazaars.

Four years ago the Greater Columbia ARTS Network distributed a poster with the caption “Rise above the Ordinary, Give the Gift of Art this Holiday Season.” I offer the suggestion again this year but with a twist. In addition to giving arts and crafts purchased at our great galleries and bazaars and tickets to theatrical events, make some gifts.

There is still time to take an art class and there are plenty of classes available. I have listed the fused glass classes given by Totally Crazed Ceramic and Glass Studio and the Holiday gifts classes offered by WSU extension and Tsugawa Nursery (See Classes). But there are classes offered by the Broadway Gallery, Lord & McCord and local quilt shops. And don’t forget the multitude of classes offered by the Longview Parks and Recreation Department (www.mylongview.com/reconline) and Lower Columbia College (lowercolumbia.edu/community/continuing-education/community-education/).

My sister and I signed up for a Fractured Expressions quilting class at Paisley Duck last week. The class was scheduled from noon to 4 and we did not know what to expect. Instructor Sandra Crow led an intense class (read no time for chatting, lunch, or restroom breaks) and we each left with a wall hanging (pictured above). Now I am musing about border colors and haven’t started the baby quilt I mentioned last month.

Hopefully, you can find the time to add a class to your busy schedule. Homemade gifts really are the best!

First Thursday Activities – November 4

Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce www.the-broadway-gallery.com/
The feature artists are Carol Boudreau (painting), Mike Smith (woodwork), Peggy Bodle (quilting) and Vicki Brigden (jewelry).
Reception: 5:30–7:30pm. Music by Joe Green.

LCC Gallery at the Rose Center, 15th & Washington, Longview http://lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/the-art-gallery/
Art exhibit by Dorothy McGuinness (baskets and masks) and Mark Perry (prints).
Reception: 5-7pm.

Lord & McCord Artworks, 1416 Commerce www.lindamccord.com
The featured artist is Scott McRae (painting). Columbian Artists Association member Jacques Drapeau will be demonstrating acrylic painting
Reception: 5–7pm. Live music.

ZoJo Coffee, 1335 14th Avenue, Longview http://www.zojocoffee.com/
Featuring the works of Terry Brown.
Open until 7pm.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St, Kelso www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum/
“Life and Landscape at Mr. St. Helens” presentation by author Christine Colasurdo.
Program begins at 7pm; museum open until 9pm.

Activities
November 1-December 25: “Women Who Dream Art”, featuring Melisse Laing and friends of the SW WA. Quilters Group. Teague’s will also have a St. Nicholas fest in November. Teague’s Mezzanine Gallery, 1267 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: http://teaguesinteriors.com/.

November 2: WordFest-Naturalist Robert Michael Pyle reading from his new book, “Mariposa Road” and poets Judith Irwin and Carolyn Norred leading a “Poet’s Night.” 6-8pm. The Brits, 1427 Commerce Ave, Longview, Wash. Info: Alan Rose 360-425-3430.

November 4: Legacy of Floyd Cramer featuring Jason Coleman. Community Concert Association. 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: Betty Houten 360-425-5136.

November 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20: “Uncle Kind Arthur” Rising Star Productions. Eve 7:30pm, mat 2pm. Kelso High School Auditorium, 1905 Allen Street, Kelso, Wash. Info: www.risingstarproductions.org.

November 5-7: “Seven Keys to Baldpate.” Loves Street Playhouse. 7:30pm, mat 2pm. Loves Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave, Woodland, Wash. Info: www.lovestreetplayhouse.com/.

November 6: Christmas & Art Sale-benefit for Youth and Family Link. 9am-4pm. Cash sales only. 907 Douglas Street, Longview, Wash. Info: Mary Putka 360-673-5310.

November 6: “Will the Real Rick Little Please Stand Up?” 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: www.columbiatheatre.com/.

November 7: Hill Memorial Concert-Northwest Quartet. 3pm. Longview Community Church, 2323 Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-423-6380.

November 10-13, 18-20 and 26-27: “Charley’s Aunt.” LCC Center Stage. Rose Center for the Arts, LCC, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: 360-442-2682.

November 12-13and 19-21: “Oklahoma.” Mainstage Theatre. Eve 7:30pm; mat 3pm. R.A. Long High School Auditorium, 2903 Nichols, Blvd., Longview, Wash. Info: Susan Donahue 360-575-7133.

November 14: “When Animals Were People” Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre. CTPA Rainy Months Series for families with young children. 2pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: www.columbiatheatre.com/.

November 20: Mark Morris High School Potter’s Association Arts and Crafts Sale. 9am-3pm. Mark Morris High School Auditorium, 1602 Mark Morris Court, Longview, Wash. Info: Julie Esche 360-575-7684.

November 23: Fall Concert. Lower Columbia College Symphonic Band. 7:30pm. Wollenberg Auditorium, Rose Center for the Arts, LCC, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: http://lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/music/.

November 30: Fall Concert. Lower Columbia College Jazz Band. 7:30pm. Wollenberg Auditorium, Rose Center for the Arts, LCC, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: http://lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/music/.

Opportunities
Call for Writers and Poets: 2011 Salal Review. LCC invites writers and poets to submit short stories, essays and poems for possible publication. Deadline: November 4. Info: Hiedi Bauer 360-442-2630.

Call for Artists: 5th Annual international juried exhibit, Au Naturel: The Nude in the 21st Century. February 17–April 14, 2011 at Clatsop Community College’s Art Center Gallery. Cash prizes. Deadline: November 7. Info: Kristin Shauck 503-338-2472 or http://www.clatsopcc.edu/.

Vendors Wanted: Mark Morris High School Potter’s Association Arts and Crafts Sale. November 20; 9am-3pm. $20 space rental includes two 8’ tables and chairs. Info: Julie Esche 360-575-7684.

Vendors Wanted: Holiday Bazaars at the Merk in Downtown Longview. December 3-4 (10-6pm) and December 11 (9-3pm). $15. 1339 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: Mic McCoy 360-575-9440.

Call for Artists: West Coast Biennial Art Show. Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, Cal. Deadline: December 1. Info: www.turtlebay.org/biennialcompetition.

Call for Art Works for Display: Standing Ovation, a business located in the old Longview Theatre building at 1433 Commerce, Longview, Wash is looking for artists to hang work for sale. Contact Chris Siegrist at cjgrist@yahoo.com.

Writers Wanted: Valley Bugler seeking writers to produce 400 word essays on their profession or passion. Contact Michelle Myre, Publisher, at editor@valleybugler.com.

Grant Award: The Twining Humber Award. $10,000 award to female, visual artist, over the age of 60 from Washington State with 25 years of creating art. Artists must be nominated. Deadline: December 15. Information and nomination forms: www.artisttrust.org/grants/THA.

Classes
Totally Crazed Ceramic and Glass Studio. Glassapalooza!-learn to fuse glass. November 12, 5:30-9pm. Fall Fused Glass Platter Class. November 18, 5:30-8pm. 708 Triangle Mall, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-423-6560.

Brown Bag Workshop: Homemade Gift Ideas for the Holidays. November 16, Noon-1. Room 300, Cowlitz County Administration Building, 207 Fourth Avenue North, Kelso, Wash. Info: Gary Fredricks 360-355-3014.

Tsugawa Nursery: Mosaic Stepping Stones. November 20, Noon. Gifts from the Garden. November 21, 11am. Holiday Wreaths and Centerpieces, November 21, 1pm. 410 E. Scott Avenue, Woodland, Wash. Info: 360-225-8750.