Barbara Noonan stands on the sidewalk of Park Lane working with soft pastels as the hum of conversations from a nearby restaurant fill the hot summer air. Noonan was one of 22 artists that took part in the Second Thursday Art Walk in downtown Kirkland, hoping patrons would discover their creations.
“I wanted to learn a little about the Kirkland nightlife and expose myself to artists in this community,” said Noonan, a soft pastels and drawing teacher from Seattle who showcased her work during the weekly Second Thursday event Aug. 12.
An event organizer, Kathy Feek said there were “many, many more people in downtown Kirkland than I have seen in a long time. And people were spending money.”
Previous Second Thursday events have been held in Kirkland art galleries, but was moved outside in an effort to stimulate downtown business during the economic downturn. The next Second Thursday Art Walk will be held on September 9.
The Kirkland Cultural Council, Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the City of Kirkland have banded for the “Artilization” project that aims to involve galleries, artists, performances and music.
The Art Walk, which takes place between 4-8 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, is also planned for September and October, weather permitting. The Second Thursday events will return inside to various Kirkland galleries during the winter.
Rebecca DeVere, who lives in Kirkland and is a part of the Kirkland Cultural Council, was busy during the recent Second Thursday event as she is the featured artist at Merrill Gardens this month.
“It is nice to have a place for artists to show their work and this is just the beginning of what we are doing,” said DeVere.
Her husband, Dennis, watched her booth while she hosted her showing at Merrill Gardens.
“They really want to bring back the feeling of art to the Kirkland community,” said Dennis.
Kirkland artist Sharon Benton sold her textile art on the Park Lane sidewalk during the event.
“I love the community and it brings people out,” said Benton. “It is nice to have a free event that is family friendly. And who knows, maybe a kid gets inspired.”
Jodi Meadows brought her kids with her to show off their art, as she set up her art booth on the corner of Park Lane and Third Street. She even dressed up the statue next to her booth for the occasion.
The event on Aug. 12 also featured live music at five separate locations.
Some of the other events planned for the “Artilization” of downtown Kirkland include a monthly art show and classes at Merrill Gardens, with opening parties featuring jazz, food and wine; Heathman Hotel events featuring art, winemakers and food each month called “VinTimate” and “Underground Art” performances in the hotel garage; painted canvases covering buildings under construction; “Pop-Up Art Shops” in empty commercial buildings, “Winter Holiday” window decorating contest from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve and “FishArtFrolic Along the Kirkland Waterfront,” which features 50 fish designed by 50 different artists during spring, summer and fall of 2011. FishArtFrolic is made possible by an LTAC grant.
One art shop that has already popped up and utilizes an empty store front is called ‘has’ and the ‘Pop-up Art Shop.’
“We have a lot of plans to activate downtown Kirkland through art,” said Feek.
For more information about the events and the “Artilization” project, contact Kathy Feek at kathy@feekcorp.com
