Soft pastels, glittery glass and functional ceramics are part of the mix at the Holiday Art Show opening Wednesday at the Arts Council of Snohomish County gallery in Everett.
The annual show – as much an art event as an opportunity to load up on holiday gifts – is the setting for the Northwest Pastel Society’s Open Exhibit, an annual showcase of pastel works by some of the top artists working the medium.
The Northwest Pastel Society is an association of artists that was started in 1981 by Seattle-area artists. Members come from throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Their annual show draws hundreds of entries from pastel artists from around the United States and from foreign countries. This year 71 works were juried into the Everett show, which is the only venue for the annual exhibit, said Carie Collver, director of the Arts Council gallery.
“It’s the cream of the crop.”
The Arts Council hosted the same show a half-dozen years ago and it was a big hit, Collver said. “It’s back of popular demand.”
Also in this year’s Holiday Art Show is a large selection of art glass by Northwest artists plus ceramics and pottery, both functional and whimsical, which traditionally is a feature of this end-of-year exhibit presented by the Arts Council.
“We decided to add some sparkle this year,” Collver said, by introducing art glass made by artists from Snohomish County, Whidbey Island and Whatcom County.
“And once again there is a lot of pottery and ceramic ware, both functional and whimsical, and at all price points,” Collver said.
Getting the pastel show was a coup for the Arts Council, Collver said.
The artists represented in this show are among the best anywhere, she said, and pastel art is very popular right now.
Pastel – a pure, powdered pigment – is appealing because of the colors that artists can create, which range from soft and subtle to strong and brilliant.
“The colors are so deep and rich,” Collver said. “Pastel can reach that color palette that a lot of other mediums can’t.”
The chalky pigment is applied to paper and can be layered so that the colors underneath come through. This imparts a soft, dreamy, luminescent appearance to the finished work.
Most of the works in the show are landscapes. Pastel artists paint “plein aire,” taking their easels and art supplies on location to work directly in nature.
The Holiday Art Show opens Wednesday with a reception at the Arts Council Gallery at which the pastel society will presents awards to works in the show.
In addition, Terry and Cheryle Earnheart will receive the Richard Wendt Award of Excellence, presented annually by the Everett Cultural Commission for outstanding contributions to the arts in the city.
Laura Koerber ceramics
Ginny Conrow vase
“Serendipity” by Barbara Sanderson of Bothell.
“Early Morning Walk” by Betsy Gibbs
Holiday Art Show
Wednesday through Dec. 30 at the Arts Council of Snohomish County, 1507 Wall St., Everett. Opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The gallery is open Mondays through Saturdays; 425-257-8380.
Holiday Art Show
Wednesday through Dec. 30 at the Arts Council of Snohomish County, 1507 Wall St., Everett. Opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The gallery is open Mondays through Saturdays; 425-257-8380.
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