Events for October 2015

Celebrates the culture of hunting, gathering, growing and preparing our own food from teh  headwaters of the Skagit River to teh bays of the Salish Sea.

Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry is internationally recognized for her award-winning fine-art quilts, which have appeared in hundreds of national and international exhibitions, collections, and publications. Honors include 100 Best Quilts of the 20th Century, Silver Star (lifetime achievement) Award, and selection as one of the thirty most influential quiltmakers in the world. Caryl has lectured and taught in eleven countries around the world and continues to share her knowledge through her publications and her website.

This innovative, contemporary art showcases the individual artistic journeys taken by Graduate Students of the Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts. Multi-media textile work is derived from personally developed themes by each artist. Featured Artists include: Martha Kleihege of San Francisco, CA, Susan Lenarz of Mt. Vernon, WA, Karen Nelson of Hettinger, ND, Alba Romero of Seattle, WA, Jill Taylor of Vancouver, BC, Maria Winner of Portland, OR and Deborah Zibrik of Vancouver, BC. These Artists have completed the highest level of training: Level 4 Studies in Experimental Stitch and Multi-media. The exhibit marks the 20th Anniversary of the Center.
 

Take a glimpse into the world of creative knitting. Hand knitting is most often done using yarn and knitting needles to create an interlocked fabric and that is where the fun begins. Manipulating the yarn allows the knitter to vary the stitching to include colorful patterns, lacy edgings, and even beadwork. At times, knitting is used as a wearable item but may also be used as an element on a finished garment. Working with commercial or original designs, the work reflects the artists’ choice of yarn, stitch patterns, embellishment or other modifications that reflect their creative spirit.
Our Artists:  Jacque Chase, Carol Harrington, Amy Green, Jane Hyde, Fran Jepperson, Lori Maul, Anita Luvera Mayer, Emily McNeil, Jude Middleton, Linda Peterson, Shannon Woodall, Kelli Wyll, Melissa Wyll, & more!
 

With a collection of over 300,000 artifacts, there are bound to be some that we have no clue what they are! They never see the light of day - so now is their  chance...
A special exhibit of things that are mysteries.
 

International Juried & Judged Exhibition
Vendors
Demonstrations
Silent Auction
& Classes

On this weekend, you can have a hands-on-experience learning what it takes to run a farm, from growing crops to feeding animals. It is an opportunity to talk to your farmers and follow your food from the fields to the table. Our participating farms offer fun-filled festival activities for everyone including:

• educational exhibits
• farm tours, harvest markets
• gardening demonstrations
• free samples
• kids activities
• corn and hay mazes
• animal exhibits
• pumpkin patches
• scenic tours and more

Climate extremes of drought followed by excessive flooding make it increasingly difficult to maintain a beautiful and stable landscape. Kathy Anderson of Bountiful Landscapes is a water ecologist that will illustrate how to use permaculture principles to catch and hold water in your landscape. Create a Foodscape, Raid Garden or Hugelkultur to enhance
what your property have to offer.

Enjoy complimentary apple cider freshly made on Christianson's antique cider press. This is the weekend of the Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms - so make a day of it with tours at the numerous working farms in this beautiful region.

w. Julia Rowland of Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services

Featuring Gary Bucy - Playing his large play list from the 60's and 70's!

Enjoy a menu of Pierogi's from around the world!

This traveling exhibition sponsored by the Great Lakes Seaway Trail features 26 quilts, newly-made, but true to 1812-period quilting patterns, fabrics and colors. Interpretive panels tell each quilt's "story".
 

“Quilting is two-dimensional medium, but I like to play with the illusion of three.  My quilts have a sense of depth that goes beyond the surface.  Elements seem to float above the surface or recede into the depths of the quilt.”  Artist, Colleen Wise
 

Here is your opportunity to see all the top award-winning entries in our annual Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival. See the Best of Show, Awards of Excellence entries, and the People's Choice.
 

Come experience the beauty and grandeur of Native American culture at it's finest! Showcasing a weekend filled with drummers and dancers in full regalia, the Skagit Valley College Fall Powwow is a multicultural event sure to draw performers from all across the U.S. and Canada. There are cash prizes for the dance contests, and drum payouts for the first 10 drums. Door prizes will be given away throughout the celebration. Activities feature dance performances by CeAtl Tonally Aztec dancers and Tlingit dance group Náakw, a Kid's Corner for arts and crafts, and vendors selling traditional crafts, Native American art and food. The event will be held indoors, with nearby access to area hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants. HEAD STAFF: Master of Ceremonies: Anthony Bluehorse Host Drum: Black Lodge Singers Head Man Dancer: Sheldon Shebala Head Woman Dancer: Paula Shebala Arena Director: Raymond Rehaume Whip Man: Lou LaBombard

This Autumn MoNA presents, Not Vanishing: Contemporary Native American Art, 1977-2015, throughout all eight of the museum’s galleries. This exhibition, curated by Gail Tremblay and Miles R. Miller, examines the evolution of the Contemporary Native American Arts Movement and the works of artists living in the Northwest, with significant emphasis on the Puget Sound and Plateau regions. 

The exhibition features more than 40 artists from tribes throughout the region, including established artists who have shaped the movement for years along with emerging artists who are keeping the movement alive.

Together the objects and installations in the museum’s galleries reveal the complexity of what it means to be an Indigenous artist today. This group of artists combines knowledge of Indigenous culture and aesthetics with an understanding of the postcolonial history of North America and its effect on Indigenous peoples.
 

Learn about the heart of Japanese design traditions and practices and how to adapt them to your garden. Hans Wressnig of NIWA Japanese Inspired Landscapes will show examples of how to overcome challenges frequently encountered when working in western style gardens.

Gail Tremblay co-curator of Not Vanishing: Contemporary Expressions of Indigenous Art, 1977-2015, will speak about the Contemporary Native American Arts Movement and the works of artists living in the Northwest. 

Enjoy an historic tour of the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery – oldest cemetery in Skagit County.  Hear the stories of some of the unique people for whom this is their final resting place. 
 

Early Enrichment
For children 2-4 and their parents/caregivers. Participate in a fun morning of art, stories, and sensory experiences

 

Presentation by Kitty & Sylvia Pippen about quilts and inspiration in design.
Appetizers & Wine to follow

A few spots are available! We will visit the Lake Chelan area, stay at Campbell's Resort for a couple of nights and have all kinds of fun wine tasting activities!

Join us for polka music, beer and German fare!

Skagit Community Band Presents: "Shall We Dance"  he SCB's season opener that celebrates dance music from around the world? . Friday Oct. 16 La Conner, Maple Hall 7:30 p.m. Sunday Oct. 18 Anacortes - Brodniak Hall 3:00 p.m. The Skagit Community Band, under the direction of Vince Fejeran, opens the 2015-2016-concert season with the theme "Shall We Dance'. Some of our musical selections will include Suite of Old American Dance by Robert Russell Bennett, Rikudim by Jan van der Roost, Floral Dance by Katie Moss and Second Suite For Military band by Gustav Holst. Join us as we March, Western One -step, Waltz, and Schottische to some international dance music. Admission to this concert is FREE but donations will be gladly accepted. For more information and directions go to: Skagitcommunityband.org

Proudly welcomes Sarah Grant, Creative Director and Owner of Sticks.

Join Ani Gurnee of Aulos Designs as she covers the different hedging plants commonly used and some that are uncommon, their benefits and the types of wildlife they attract.

Join John Christianson on an ever popular tour to enjoy and learn about the fabulous fall colors of leaves and berries in the nursery's display gardens and at the adjoining La Conner Flats. Make sure to dress for the weather and wear good shoes that can handle the mud.
Meet in front of the schoolhouse.

Beer Crawl in historic waterfront La Conner!
More details to come...

This course serves as a basic introduction to the vast world of embroidery. Techniques and stitches will be imaginatively worked using the elements of design. Using your own hand-painted fabric and threads, you will create a variety of small, embroidered samples. You will learn about the following: Dyeing fabric and threads A wide variety of techniques and stitches: including couched threads, chain, button- hole, feather, fly stitch, knotted stitches, straight stitches as well as edging stitches Color study Needles and threads Stitching on paper Effective Presentation A workbook of classroom notes with color photos will be provided to all students of the Gail Harker Creative Studies Center. You will create a small book of stitches complete with binding. The variety of stitch samples will provide a source of inspiration from which to work for years to come.
 

In Washington we built “the biggest thing on earth.” We ended a world war. We introduced air travel and helped put man on the moon. The fruits of our labor appear on dinner tables around the globe. Even Northwest grunge became iconic worldwide. Through the ages, big dreams and big risks tell the Washington story. This exhibit, on loan from the Secretary of State’s office, helps to tell Washington’s personal and unique story by focusing on eight key stories that helped put Washington on the map globally

Featuring Gordy Venneri from Walla Walla Vinters.
Featuring a 6 course dinner w. sparkling wine reception at 6:30m, first course served at 7pm (Oyster & Thistle Restaurant).

Featuring Folk and Americana favorite - Gary Locke!

Stories from the  darker side of classic fairy tales - with storyteller Will Hornyak (*For mature aufiences)

Instructor: Dee Doyle
For youth and adults ages 5+
Painting in shapes with versatile acrylics is easy, yet can produce spectacular results.  No-fear painting for new or experienced artists.

Learn quick and reliable ways to expand your dahlia collection
 from year to  year from John & Kathy Wilson of Swede Hill Dahlias and Sunflower Farm. They will teach you how to dig, divide and overwinter your dahlias with special emphasis given to methods for retaining seasonal plant vigor and potency.

Giras gratis en Español y bilingües   
Nuestras visitas guiadas son profamiliares y ajustadas no solo a hablantes nativos, sino también a estudiantes de idioma. Estén bienvenidos a participar en conversación vibrante sobre nuestra exposición verano, guiada por la educadora local Señora Melody Young. El Museo de Arte del Noroeste hace conexiones entre el arte, las diversas culturas y los ambientes del Noroeste.

Free Bilingual Spanish Tour
Tours are family-friendly and geared for native speakers as well as students of the language. Please join local educator Melody Young for an engaging discussion of the Summer exhibits. The Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) connects people with the art, diverse cultures and environments of the Northwest.

Legendary Plein-air artist Sharon Curran is coming to Sips to help instruct and inspire artists of all skill levels to paint their own wine glass. Come join us for this truly special afternoon. You will be supplied with a wine glass, paint, supplies, a glass of fine vino and chocolates to enjoy. Pair this with Sharon's tips and support and Sips warm atmosphere.

Come and Trick or Treat!

Join the children of La Conner as they parade down First St. in their costumes! Followed by town trick or treating...
Brought to you by La Conner PTA

Come join our crowd of creepy creatures for a fun and spooky Halloween gathering. You’ll enjoy views of the countryside and hypnotic Cascade Mountains as you tour the boo-tiful Skagit Valley.
25K / 50K / 100K
 

Yes, even though houseplants spend their lives indoors, they still need specific care suitable for the winter home environment. Join Eric Andrews, our indoor houseplant expert on the best way to care for your plants through the winter months.