Entertainment

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) "Bully Boy," Karen Ganz (click to enlarge) "Crossroads," Patrick Holderfield (click to enlarge) "Parade," John Dempcy (click to enlarge) "Seven Rhymes with Heaven," Deborah Bell   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, May 16, 2008 Seattle Art Museum Gallery: Marking a milestone by tracking artists' journeys By Theresa Goffredo Herald writer Seattle Art Museum Gallery director Barbara Shaiman candidly revealed that the gallery doesn't show a lot of photographers. Shaiman has found that so much of what she sees from photographers these days looks the same. Ross Sawyers is the exception to that rule. His giant, bold minimalist photographs, amazingly produced with an inkjet printer, capture the shape and drama of limited spaces with sharp corners. But Sawyers also playfully incorporates pieces of billowy plastic or a wet surface to soften this hard-edged effect. "Not many photographers have a personal individual view, but his are totally unique and really intriguing," Shaiman said. "He creates a strange narrative with his work. His perspective and view are really fascinating." Sawyers is among the featured artists at the SAM Gallery 35th Anniversary Celebration going on through June 7. The gallery, though connected to SAM, is not connected to the museum building but sits on a sweet bit of real estate at the corner of Third Avenue and University Street. The gallery is intimate and airy, and Shaiman is pleased the gallery got these digs 4 1/2 years ago because it was somewhat hidden before when it shared space with the museum. Now the storefront corner practically screams to passersby to come see what's inside. Visitors might not realize all the gallery has to offer. "We have captured every stage in artists' lives," Shaiman said. "We have some who have been showing here for 20 years and some who are brand new and are showing for the first time." Sawyers is among those first-time artists. He is joined by other Northwest artists who are showcasing their new work, including Barbara Barnes Allen, Deborah Bell, Lisa Buchanan, Tim Cross, John Dempcy, Karen Ganz, Melinda Hannigan, Patrick Holderfield, Etsuko Ichikawa, Rachel Illingworth, Steve Jensen, Carolyn Krieg, Betty Merken, Nicholas Nyland, Lois Silver, Katy Stone, Eva Sköld Westerlind, Junko Yamamoto and Jenifer Zwick. As part of this exhibit, Barbara Barnes Allen will create an installation called "Ticket to Ride" in the University Street window in which she will use found materials from her travels. Allen uses ordinary things to produce art that evokes a sense of being in the here and now. 35th anniversary celebration SAM Gallery: through June 7, Seattle Tower Building, 1220 Third Ave., Seattle.

1. Snohomish County man dies of swine flu 2. Lynnwood bank reprimanded by government 3. Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run 4. Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington 5. IRS joins puppy mill investigation 6. Jetty Island ready for sand castles 7. Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order 8. Warriors & Patriots: Many American Indians served before getting full citizenship rights 9. Movin' out 10. Marshals seize swindler's home 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people