La Conner has Frank Okada retrospective
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 6, 2005
The Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner opens a major retrospective exhibit of work by a noted Japanese-American painter Saturday.
The “Frank Okada Retrospective” covers the near half-century career of the Seattle-born abstractionist who played a significant role in the history of the visual arts in the Pacific Northwest.
Among the hallmarks of Okada’s paintings are his superb handling of color and the shimmering surface quality of the canvas. The exhibit includes paintings from the early 1950s up to the time of the artist’s death, at age 69, in 2000.
Born in 1931 to immigrant parents in Seattle’s International District, Okada went on to a career as professor of art at the University of Oregon. This exhibit is the first survey of his work that is accompanied by a comprehensive catalog written by Northwest art historian Kazuko Nakane, who has co-curated the exhibition.
“Frank Okada Retrospective” will be on view through Jan. 8. The Museum of Northwest Art is located at 121 S. First St., La Conner; 360-466-4446; www.museumofnwart.org.
Art Boutique: Oil paintings by Roxanne Jaross are on view beginning today at Art Boutique in the Everett Public Market.
The exhibit of 11 works includes eight new paintings, reflecting the changing direction of the Everett artist’s work. In 2004, she had a show titled “Days of Cats and Roses” that closed within a week because of a fire at the Everett Public Market.
This new show, which opens with a reception from 4 to 8 tonight, includes some tasty-looking and realistic paintings of chocolates wrapped in glistening foil, some broken open to reveal their luscious contents.
The exhibit runs through Oct. 29, as does a continuing group show titled “Delightful Darks” that features works in a darker palette.
Art Boutique is located at 2804 Grand Ave., Everett, and is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; 425-501-2448
The color of Blue: Nearly 50 artworks that fit the theme “Out of the Blue” are on view at the Lynnwood Library Gallery. The exhibit is presented by the Lynnwood Arts Commission and can be seen today through Nov. 17 at the library, 19200 44th Ave. W.
Ken Smith is a Lynnwood artist and former arts commissioner. He has exhibited regularly in the Puget Sound area and is currently the program coordinator for ArtWorks in Edmonds.
“BU-II,” 1994, oil on canvas, courtesy of the Okada Estate and White Lotus Gallery, Eugene, Ore.
“Cobalt,” 1997-98, oil on canvas, courtesy of the Okada Estate and White Lotus Gallery, Eugene, Ore.
“Untitled,” 1957, oil on canvas, collection of Art and Helene Yorozu.
ABOVE: “Red Hot Cherries on the Move” by Roxanne Jaross.
RIGHT: “Garden Pitcher” by Jacqui Beck.
