Looking at the pieces that will be on display at the Fine Arts and Crafts Show, I am in awe. All the pieces are really quite beautiful and well crafted. There is lovely jewelry, breath-taking photography, skilled woodwork, creative stone, cute and quirky stuffed creatures made from recycled sweaters, pretty paintings, upscale pottery and impeccable wood block printing.
The exhibit will run all weekend at the Fine Arts and Crafts Show Summer Invitational at the Coach House in Olympia. The show runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The invitational boasts some of the best artists in the region, including renowned pastel artist Dorothy Sandlin, whose works have won her many prestigious awards. Now into her 80s, Sandlin began showing art at the age of 12.
Rosalind Philips, another featured artist, writes on event's Facebook page, "This is my favorite show! In August I will have Snowy Owl pictures from my Canada Owl chasing trips last January and February. I am also experimenting a bit with digital art by combining several photographs."
Ten other artists will be featured: Neil Peck, Christine Malek, Dee McDonald, Candy Nichols, Carie Westby, Dale Baird, Doris Jean Culvin, Laura Harmon, Steve Hovelson and the curator of the show, David Kaynor.
"It's all very professional and top-quality," Kaynor says.
Kaynor has been running the show since 2005, when Open Door Gallery had to shut down operations.
Since then, Kaynor has been networking with regional pros and putting together exceptional shows.
"These shows are among my favorites, they are so well organized and the artist works only get better and better!" reads one fan comment.
This summer is the Fine Arts and Crafts Show first invitational. Usually artists are chosen at juried shows, but this time Kaynor hand-selected a variety of talented individuals to attend.
"This is really a good group of people," says Kaynor, "we look forward to having a good show and having lots of people attend."
While Kaynor has been in the art scene throughout the region, he admits that "Olympia is a very art-supportive town - the most I've ever seen."
Thanks to people like Kaynor and events such as the Fine Arts and Crafts show, Olympia will help keep the South Sound on the map for creativity, collectiveness and collaboration.
(Coach House, 211 21st Ave, Olympia, www.facebook.com/FineArtsandCraftsShow)