White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Just in from Shelli Park – details of what and who they are looking for, to help the White Center Art Walk grow. Read on:

White Center Arts (WCA), the producer of the White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk, is seeking a new infusion of energy for the 3rd Saturday Art Walk. We are looking for a few good volunteers who have a vision to take this program to a new level. We want to continue to grow the Art Walk into an event that is unique to White Center, and a regional draw.

WCA has developed a few auxiliary programs that dovetail with Art Walk that need to be established in our annual schedule. Any volunteers would be supported by current supporters and the Board of Trustees.

Read the rest of this entry »

We stopped by Cultivate‘s open-mike night on Friday at Greenbridge Plaza, just long enough to see the crowd gathering on a perfect summer evening – not too hot, not too cool. Among the first performers, Celestine:

The event was a co-promotion with White Center Community Development Association and YES Foundation, and a chance for everybody to celebrate the summer. Cultivate has a photo album up on Facebook; see it here.

7 pm, the plaza will be full of sights and sounds as Cultivate, YES Foundation, White Center Community Development Association, and your artistic friends and neighbors team up for Open Mike Night. Need more info? Check out this Facebook event page.

Local artist RobRoy Chalmers sent word he has just installed a new “Swarm” at Luso Food and Wine in White Center. He explains his work here. But as is the case with many artworks, the photos only hint at what it’s like – nothing compares to a firsthand viewing.

To see his work in person, stop by Luso at 9988 15th SW.

Last fall, an independent film titled “Eden” shot some scenes in White Center. It’s complete and has just received an award at the Seattle International Film Festival, according to this news release we just received from KCTS:

KCTS 9 and SIFF are pleased to announce that Eden—directed by Seattle filmmaker Megan Griffiths and starring Jamie Chung, Matthew O’Leary and Beau Bridges—is the winner of the first annual Reel NW Award, presented to a distinguished feature-length film with Pacific Northwest connections appearing in the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival.

Eden shines a light into a sinister corner of our nation’s culture with an emotional drama based on the harrowing true-life story of a teenager who was abducted and forced into sexual slavery in the American Southwest. Shot almost entirely in Washington State, the film was the unanimous choice of the jury, which issued the following statement:

“From the assured vision of its director to the committed performances by its cast, this film displays strong cinematic craftsmanship. Unpredictable and therefore truly suspenseful, Eden explores a largely unknown issue with sensitivity and without preaching. In short, this is a powerful story that delivers on all levels. We’re very proud to recognize Eden with this Award.”

“This film represents exactly the kind of quality and creativity that we value and celebrate at KCTS 9,” said KCTS 9 President and CEO Maurice “Moss” Bresnahan. “We are delighted that this first recipient of the Reel NW Award exemplifies, both in content and in execution, the type of high quality story-telling that is independent filmmaking at its best.”

Jurors included Scilla Andreen, CEO and co-founder of IndieFlix.com; Randy Brinson, Executive Director of Programming for KCTS 9; and Robert Horton, film critic for KUOW and the Everett Herald.

The winning film was announced on Friday, June 8, at SIFF’s Northwest Connections party, and the Reel NW Award will be presented at SIFF’s annual Golden Space Needle Awards brunch (today).

Another mural for White Center! With paint contributed by the WC Chamber and WC Community Development Association, high-school students from Highline Public Schools‘ Evergreen Campus are creating one on the north wall of Super Saver Foods, which opened in March in the 16th/107th storefront that was formerly an Albertsons. As Chamber President Mark Ufkes explained it in e-mail last week, “The design will include cultural images and food items and promote the diversity at the three Evergreen High Schools on campus.” We checked on this site this past Monday; it’s just part of what’s becoming a tapestry of mural art around the area; we’ll check in on other projects soon.

Just got the announcement of this Saturday’s White Center Art Walk.

The venues are:

3.14 9602 16th Ave SW

Big Al Brewing 9832 14th Ave SW

Café Rozella 9434 Delridge Way SW

Company 9608 16th SW

Dubsea 9910 8th Ave SW

Dzul Tattoo 9622-B 16th Ave SW

Full Tilt Ice Cream 9629 16th Ave SW

Herbal Legends 9619 16th Ave SW

Proletariat Pizza 9622-A 16th Ave SW

Salvadorean Bakery 1719 SW Roxbury

The Forge: Tilton, Balaban & McCaallister 9052 Delridge Way

Southgate Roller Rink 9646 17th SW

Zippy’s Giant Burgers 9614 14th SW

We’ve been watching the WCAW website for the list of venues/artists – and it finally appeared tonight, in the nick of time. So, if you can get out and about in the next two hours, here’s who’s participating this time around.

Café Rozella proprietor Leticia Martinez is certainly proud of her coffee shop’s new look. But when we stopped in during the “reopening” celebration tonight, we found out she is even prouder of an achievement by her son Patrick – who just got an honor-roll certificate commemorating his 4.0 GPA at Madison Middle School. (Congratulations, Patrick!) He is a fixture at the shop, which has always been a home to art and a celebration of creativity, but is now artistically decorated in its own right:

Tonight’s event included live music – playing a handmade instrument from Germany, we found Craig Cinderich:

There’s also a new menu at Rozella, with added savory/hearty options as well as the to-be-expected sweets (often including Leticia’s home-baked breads). Tonight’s ringleader, White Center business-community cheerleader Aileen Sison, says there’s a celebration ahead on April 20th, too, so if you couldn’t make it to the café tonight, mark your calendar.

The fine folks behind the White Center Art Walk have published the lineup for this Saturday night’s event. Best place to see it is on their own website – just go here.

Today’s old skates, tomorrow’s art. Well – May’s art. Tonight, Amanda from the White Center Art Walk presided in the basement of Southgate Roller Rink as artists came by to pick up skates to turn into the “dynamic roller-skate sculptures” that WCAW is seeking. The artists’ marching – um, rolling – orders are:

– Max out your design at 4′ wide x 2′ tall
– Utilize up to (5) pairs or (10) skates
– Make it wall mountable
– Like the Native Americans with the Buffalo hunt, include as much of the roller skate as possible (ie; the boot, truck and wheels). A surplus of clay wheels are also available for use.
– Sculptures must be completed by May 9th

They’ll be spotlighted during the May 19th White Center Art Walk.

Five artists picked up their materials while we were there this evening.

Artists who haven’t already signed up for this – you have just a few days to go! White Center is on a roll and your creation can be part of it, if you get in on this:

White Center Art Walk is continuing the call to artists for dynamic roller skate sculptures. Let your imagination ROLL WILD! Our first round this past summer was very successful, and there is some amazing art hung up at the rink. There’s plenty of room on the walls, and hundreds of skates just waiting for you and your ideas to be a permanent part of the Southgate Roller Rink in White Center.

Sculpture Criteria and Instructions:

– Max out your design at 4′ wide x 2′ tall
– Utilize up to (5) pairs or (10) skates
– Make it wall mountable
– Like the Native Americans with the Buffalo hunt, include as much of the roller skate as possible (ie; the boot, truck and wheels). A surplus of clay wheels are also available for use.
– Sculptures must be completed by May 9th
– Participation fee is $20 which covers skates, hanging and promotion of the May 3rd Saturday Art Walk.

The roller rink will play host to a fundraiser on May 16th benefiting WCAW to commission and install public art for White Center. This will also be an early unveiling of the art work before the Art Walk on May 19th.

Please email whitecenterartwalk@gmail.com by March 1st if you would like to participate. Skate pick up will begin on Tuesday, March 6th.

Thanks!
White Center Art Walk

(Added 7:51 pm – “The Solace of a Wounded Heart” by James C. Bassett at Dubsea Coffee)
More than a dozen venues participating this time around – and the full lineup of venues and artists can be found on the White Center Art Walk‘s website. This includes what you might call a pre-funk at the Mutant Bicycle Building – first on the list. Have fun!

Seattle’s Poet Populist – and South Seattle Community College creative-writing teacher – Mike Hickey invites you to White Center Library at 2 pm today for the workshop “The Poetry of Place: Witness the Wise Words of White Center.” He’ll read from his new book “A Dress Walked By With a Woman Inside,” as well as leading a Q/A session, and a workshop in which participants will create poetry of their own.

In the midst of the ice and snow, the advisory arrived … instead of happening tonight as usual, the White Center Art Walk will happen one week later than usual. January 28th will be the night, this time around.

Just got this from White Center Art Walk organizers – sorry we can’t hotlink the URLs immediately but wanted to pass the information on as fast as possible – it’s happening tonight:

This month seems to be themed towards PARTY MONTH. Seriously. There is going to be three different locations that are rockin kegs and art. How could you not want to come out for that? EddieGuyver and his birthday party at Big Al Brewing, Herban Legends and their always-rockin Art Walks and The Forge: Fire Pits Gone Wild. Really people. Come out even though it’s cold and damp and have a rockin’ good time in White Center. Where we are all currently living the dream.

3.14 (9602 16th Ave SW): Larry the Front Desk Guy (Sorry, Larry- I never heard back on what your last name is)- Ink on Paper: Intricate drawings with a tribal feel, these pieces pull you into a vortex of mazes. Small and intimate you have to get in close to really get a feel for what’s going on. Kind of like the cinnamon rolls, which you should eat and then tell me all about.

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Margaret Brown- Oil on Canvas: Margaret has created a series of paintings devoted to one black leather jacket. It is cohesive, thick, raw and reminiscent of suspended auto-parts. She definitely has a strong grasp of color and has explored different compositions to highlight them effectively. Stop by Big Al, drink a Winter Warmer or the Local Hero #11 (Stout) and get your art on. I recommend playing some darts and yelling at each other as well. In case you are normally in the hood- it’s local favorite bartender EddieGuyvers birthday and there will also be a smidgen of stand-up comedy goin down. Don’t miss it!

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): TBA- Stop in for some rockin coffee and see what’s on their walls.

Company (9608 16th SW): Rafael Carraballo-Oil on Canvas: Rafael and his pomegranates are sticking around for another month. If you haven’t made it in to check out his playful compositions, you should. It is well worth it. Plus you could put a glass of rye in your belly. We all know you want to do that.

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Sarah Browning- Paper Stacking: Bold, chunky graphics that “explore themes of survival an nurturance”. Sarah layers different pieces of cut paper in such a way that the resulting image almost jumps off the page to punch you in the face (in a nice way… people… seriously. This is art) Sadly, there will not be an opening reception the night of the art walk but it will be up all month. Try and stop by to check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Dzul Tattoo (9622-B 16th Ave SW): Katie & Alex- Black & White Photography. Drop in for funky grooves and an eye-full of new body ink. Updated B&W photos of the newest generation of ink, dripping with permanence. This shop has spirit and enough eye-candy to chew on for days.

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): Sydney Smith- Photography: Landscape photography that’s not just black and white, if you know what I’m saying. I’m pretty sure that if you grabbed a scoop of Memphis King and played some skee ball, your soul would not be offended.

Herbal Legends-Medical Marijuana Dispensary– (9619 16th Ave SW): Featuring -Carlos Aguilar and other awesome artists- http://carlosgaguilar.com/works/-Urban Paintings: This guy seriously rocks that spot. Fancy, bright colored creatures that jump off the page with an enthusiasm that can hardly be matched. Most of his work is playful and bold with a tight use of color and an epic usage of the house-people. Stop by to party it up as these guys. There will be an artist reception- I’m talkin’ bout beer and snacks people. Let’s get together and do it the White Center Way.

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- Zach Bohnenkamp “Matamuros”- Graphic Paintings: You’ve already seen his work spread out over White Center. He’s the proud artist of both the mural on the side of the New Angkor Market (98th and 16th) as well as the produce market on Delridge right by the CDA. Now is your opportunity to see some of the pieces you can buy right off the wall. Zach executes well thought out compositions with bold chunky lines. He doesn’t shy away from color either, which is more than OK in my book. Pop in for a slice a pizza and some arts.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Grace Rajendran- Watercolors on Paper: Playful pieces that host a variety of subjects. Grace manages to put a smile on your face with her whimsical use of subject and color. Combine that with a papusa and you have a guarantee of a good time.

Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th Ave SW): Stop by and check out the AWESOME ROLLER SKATE SCULPTURES! Round 1 has been installed and we are currently on the look out for participants for Round 2. Vintage-roller-skates-gone-art. Must-I-Say-More?

Tilton, Balaban (see? I can be taught) & McCallister– (9052 Delridge Way)-The Forge- White Center Style: A new forge that’s bloomed in White Center- these fantastic blacksmiths are opening their studio doors for foot traffic and a smattering of good times. Stop by and welcome them to White Center. Don’t forget to tell them that you think they’re very pretty. Because they are..

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

A few highlights of the monthly Saturday night White Center Art Walk:

At Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge:

Deanna Sonza (at left in photo) showcased her street photography work this month for invited guests and art walk patrons. Deanna is a San Francisco artist and says her work is influenced by Henri Cartier Bresson and his pursuit of the “decisive moment.” Deanna has no formal training and uses a Nikon D50 as she traverses urban landscapes capturing narratives with her shots. She has self-published two books which are not available for purchase, but updates her work at http://www.theafranco.blogspot.com. Her work (and books) will remain on display through the month at Dubsea.

—-

Southgate Roller Rink was the venue for the White Center Art Walk “skate sculpture” project. According to organizer Amanda Helmick, the project will continue with another call for artists to contribute wall art using old (very old, in some cases) skates the new rink owners found in their basement. The initial installation of the first round of sculptures might inspire you – have a look:

Helmick’s kinetic work uses what might be the oldest skates the rink has found, made by the Hyde Skate Company and probably pre-dating the early 50’s according to the rink experts. Other decades of skates are represented in the sculptures, including skates from the 60’s which used loose ball bearings and were made of clay – in the pre-urethane days!

Next: A sculpture that extracted some of the original rink floor, which had been removed at some point:

Meantime, Rat City Rollergirl Tammy Taeker (Serious Mischief) is a blocker for the All Star and Throttle Rockets teams as well as a New Media specialist at the UW. She really got into the spirit and submitted four sculptures! With the final touch of a pink bow, the skates with googley-eyes and flirty long eyelashes were transformed!

Blaine Carpenter submitted the named-in-the-interview piece “The Trophy.” Carpenter is a Microsoft design manager, and also designed the Throttle Rockets logo – for fun, too!

Keep an ear out for the upcoming next call for “skate sculpture” artists from the Art Walk organizers if you’ve been inspired. There are still a lot of skates in the basement, we’re told!

Here’s the full roundup, from Art Walk organizers. Sorry the links aren’t active – we’ll have to tweak that later:

Southgate Roller Rink(9646 17th Ave SW): UNVEILING OF THE NEW SCULPTURES de ROLLER SKATES. Come on by for the unveiling of Southgate Roller Rinks newest edition of sculptures- MADE ENTIRELY FROM OLD ROLLER SKATES. We have high hopes for this folks. Local artists have taken their smattering of old roller skates and turned them into works of art. Come on down to be a part of the newest installation in White Center. Fun would be an understatement.

3.14 (9602 16th Ave SW): TBA. Surprises everywhere! Pop in and see what 3.14 is rockin this month. You can always put some yummy pastries in your tummy at the same time.

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Brandon Baker- www.narboo.blogspot.com. Acrylic on Canvas and Wood. NARBOO! This is some of the funnest work around. Bright colored creatures with a distinct sense of humor. You may have seen some of his pieces around town. Fun, bandaged creatures that are pasted in random places for your viewing pleasure-this man knows how to bring it! Come take a peek at his creations and grab a delicious pint of Big Al Fresh Hop Harvest Ale; it will make you warm and fuzzy, just like Narboo Art.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): TBA- Stop in for some rockin coffee and see what’s on their walls.

Company (9608 16th SW): Rafael Carraballo- http://www.rafaelcaraballoart.com/ -Oil on Canvas. If I could pick keywords pertaining to his work I would go with women and pomegranates. Hereto forth referred to as W&P. The colors in his work reflect the heavy influence of Spanish culture and art that he spoke of when I met up with him. While he is of Puerto Rican descent he’s found a strong connection to Spain that he continues to delve into and explore. Some of the ‘P’ has taken on an almost heart-like depiction in some of his paintings that creates a sincere juxtaposition from female to object. While the ‘W’ have an almost claymation feel to them. Some of his work is very reminiscent of Frida Kahlos work. You should definitely stop by and visit his pieces. If you can’t make it during art walk come on a Sunday and experience their awesome Sunday night dinners. Worlds-will-be-rocked.

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Deanna Sonza- www.theafranco.blogspot.com – Photography. Solid composition with tight color choices. Deanna started her photography career in the Philippines when she was in high school. After a long stint of art stagnation, she’s back and she’s bold. Her ability to tell a story through her photographs is unwavering and keeps your eye coming back. Stop by Dubsea and soak up the awesome art display!

Dzul Tattoo (9622-B 16th Ave SW): Katie & Alex- Black & White Photography. Drop in for funky grooves and an eye-full of new body ink. Updated B&W photos of the newest generation of ink, dripping with permanence. This shop has spirit and enough eye-candy to chew on for days.

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): TBA. Eat Ice Cream and Drink Beer While Playing Pinball and Skeeball. It will make you happy and then you can also peruse the shop to find out who this months artist is, cuz we dunno…

Herbal Legends-Medical Marijuana Dispensary- (9619 16th Ave SW): Carlos Aguilar- http://carlosgaguilar.com/works/-Urban Paintings. Love.His.Art. Carlos does detailed, whimsical paintings; fun characters in random settings. His work is amusing and playful but not slapped together. This guy has a tight reign on the quality of application. Multiple layers of texture for a 3-d feeling full of funhouses. Pop in for some music, a snack and some raw, unadulterated talent; this kids got gusto.

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- T.S. Pew- http://www.helloseattle.com/commons/pages/artist/tspew/33847/- Oil on Canvas: Ahhhhhh, Tim Pew, how I love thee. You can see his work smattered all over the city but his reigns normally stay close to West Seattle. He moves paint like a master magician. Tim’s compositions are usually overflowing with energy; Abstracted-Awesome-All-Over-You.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Devrim Ozkan- www.devrimozkan.com- Oil on Canvas: “Her oil paintings are bold and complex, equally engaging to the eye whether she chooses bright colors or works with muted tones. Fluid lines and intricate patterns draw you in closer and closer until you have to step back to reassess just what it is you’re looking at. Even then, you’ll likely be drawn right back in.”-(written by Sarah Fox- it felt a little cheap to plug my own work)

PLEASE WELCOME TILTON, BACADAN & MCCALLISTER TO THE WHITE CENTER ART WALK!! A new forgery to white center- these fantastic blacksmiths are opening their studio doors for foot traffic and a smattering of good times. Stop by and welcome them to White Center. Don’t forget to tell them that you think they’re very pretty. Because they are.TILTON, BACADAN & MCCALLISTER (9052 Delridge Way)- Forging the White Center Way.

We first told you last month about the plan to shoot part of a new movie called “Eden” in downtown White Center. The dates were pushed back – and now, according to this news release just forwarded by Patricia Julio at the White Center Community Development Association, it’s scheduled for tomorrow:

“Eden,” an independent feature film directed by Seattle’s Megan Griffiths, will be filming scenes in the White Center area on Friday, September 9th. Filming will occur in the vicinity of 16th Avenue SW and SW 98th Street in the afternoon and into the night.

Sections of street parking on 16th Avenue SW and SW 98th Street will be reserved for production vehicles. With the assistance of the King County Sheriff’s Department, vehicle traffic on 16th Avenue SW between SW 98th Street and SW 100th Street will be rerouted between 7 pm September 9th and 5 am September 10th. The production company is coordinating with King County and the White Center Community Development Association regarding these parking and traffic revisions. Questions regarding the filming activity can be directed to Location Manager Dave Drummond at dave@drummondmedia.com.

Here’s more background, in an article about a recent session of filming “Eden” over in Kirkland.

Live music and live art made this a live-ly night in White Center, for the August edition of the WC Art Walk. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz got five of the art-being-made-live scenes on video for this report. Above, Rats in the Grass played bluegrass at Full Tilt Ice Cream. Over at Big Al Brewing, Erik Edwards created collage while All Mixed Up provided the soundtrack:

Art and music also mingled at 3.14 Bakery, with artist, illustrator and author Amara Kopakova and the music of The Kevin Helmick Experience (3.14, Deanie points out, is just celebrating their hugely successful first year in White Center! Have you tried the cakeballs?)

Art Walk co-curator Amanda Helmick‘s (Kevin’s wife) collages are on the walls behind Amara and will be viewable through the month. On to the south Delridge Triangle and “Remember the Diamonds”:

And the Daipan Butoh Collective was out and about:

Find out more about these and other artists who were part of tonight’s extravaganza by going to the official WC Art Walk website.