White Center Now: The blog about White Center

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.

Big event at Greenbridge next Wednesday!

Want to have a more cycle-centric White Center and South Park? We do too! Many organizations partnered to plan this FREE event for families in our neighborhood. Hope you can come to TUNES & TUNE-UPS & pass on the word.

The new date is Wed Aug 24th, 4pm – 6pm, Greenbridge Music in the Plaza Outdoor Concerts. Chain lube, brakes, flat tire repair.

Also, look for a monthly bike repair clinic on Sunday afternoons at Full Tilt Ice Cream, planned for September 2011.

Just out of the inbox:

White Center has always had a wealth of arts and cultural activities. The newly formed, WHITE CENTER ARTS, the merger of two organizations – White Center Arts Alliance and White Center for the Arts unify efforts and resources in order to provide more arts and cultural experiences for the community. WHITE CENTER ARTS continues to cultivate partnerships of all backgrounds through the rich arts, culture and heritage diaspora that is prominent within the area:
　
Dear White Center Community and Arts Supporters,

The White Center Arts Alliance and White Center for the Arts are pleased to announce their merger into White Center’s new arts and cultural organization, White Center Arts. The merger, approved by board members of both White Center arts organizations on March 29, 2011, is the result of an open exchange of ideas and goals for arts and culture in the White Center area.
We thank all who have supported us with their time, energy, ideas and financial contributions, past and future, particularly founding members and out-going board members of both organizations! Without these important individuals, neither organization would be where they are today!! Special thanks to the artists and community members who have participated in and attended our local events including music nights, writers’ workshops, movie nights, monthly writers and tellers readings, poetry nights, and the Third Saturday Open Studio Tour, which morphed into the White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk.

White Center Arts will continue to add to the vibrancy and positive energy in our community by building on the achievements of its predecessors. White Center Arts is being established to bring a strong and more cohesive arts and cultural voice to the White Center area. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships with both emerging artists and established artists, local groups and organizations as we create a strong and supportive network for the arts community.

Healthy businesses are an essential part of a healthy community. We have appreciated the support of our local businesses, and look forward to years of continuing partnership with the business district as together we work toward a healthy and vibrant community. If you haven’t been to a White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk lately, please mark your calendar and check out the Art Walk blog: www.whitecenterartwalk.blogspot.com. Enjoy the art while supporting local White Center businesses. If you are an artist who would like to display your work at an upcoming Art Walk, please contact whitecenterartwalk@gmail.com.

White Center Arts is a White Center community arts and cultural organization. Community support is necessary to develop and support arts and culture in White Center. This support will also be the key to the success of White Center Arts. You are important to us, and we invite you to become involved. Here are some of the ways to do so:

1) becoming a member or join a planning committee – youth ambassadors welcomed

2) share your talents (artist of any genre, carpentry, photography, financial, writing, baking or event coordination, people-wrangling skills, etc)

3) participate or attend local events

If you are interested in participating in any way, listed or not, please contact WhiteCenterArts@gmail.com.
Thank your for all that you do for White Center!
White Center Arts – Current Board of Directors
Shelli Kay Park – Co-Chair
Nancy Calos-Nakano- Co-Chair
Amanda Kay Helmick- Vice-Chair / ArtWalk Co-Curator
Susan Cole- Treasurer
Devrim Ozkan -Secretary / ArtWalk Co-Curator
Phillip Levine, Bob Frey, Jerry Robison, Hiroshi Nakano, Randy Nichols, Liz Giba

The monthly White Center Art Walk announcement is out – and the theme is “live art” – all over the place!

White Center 3rd Saturday Art Walk
August 20th, 2011 6-9pm

We’ve brought a film festival & live painting…This time we went for the whole shabang! This month we are celebrating Live Performance all over White Center! There will be dance-flash mob style, live painting and music for all your artistic needs. Come join us for the fun events we’re putting out there!

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Avenue SW): Mantisart-Andrew Miller-http://mantisart.wordpress.com– Mixed Media. I continue to be amazed by what this man puts into the universe. Miller makes all types of art: illustration, paintings, films and hand painted photographs.. Not having seen his films I can easily say his hand painted photos are my all time favorite. He creates multi-dimensional, thick, raw textured photographs by layering and scratching away paint from the surface of his prints. Sometimes they take on an almost dream-like-familiar-feeling that pulls you into a place you may have (never?) been before. His ability to take you on a journey you weren’t sure planned for is one of the reasons I always enjoy his work. It’s a big slice of magic for your unsuspecting eye. Come grab a pint of Lowman Brau (where partial proceeds go towards the WC food bank-DRINK! So other people can eat!), tour the Mantisart experience and grab a seat in the courtyard. You’ll be rockin out with ALL MIXED UP an 80’s flash-back-to-your-favorite-parts cover band!

Company (9608 16th SW): Private Collection- Mixed Media. I always get a surge of excitement in my backbone when I walk into Company after an art rotation. They take their art as serious as they take their Sunday night dinners (a new concoction every Sunday that even your mom couldn’t pull off) This month the art will be a surprise for us all. So keep your panties where people can’t see them- this one’s gonna be a doozie.

Dubsea (9910 8th Ave SW): Naomi Cox of Spill Studio-http://www.spillstudio.com/blog/-Illustration and Design. Cox has gathered up a collection of fresh sketches to share with Dubsea Coffee’s guests and the White Center community. Keeping her sketchbook handy, Naomi creates art inspired by everyday life — favorite Seattle spots, food, family and bright bits of nature. Pen sketches come to life with added touches of watercolor, gouache and colored pencil. Stop by and visit her work while sucking down some of White Center’s best coffee.

Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury): Chau Dang- http://ltdspace.net/– Catchy Cartoons- If you missed Chau at Proletariat last month, we have good news! Her quirky sense of humor will be all over Salvadorean Bakery this month. Stop by for one of their mouth watering breakfasts and have a good chuckle cuz this little lady knows how to bring the funnies.

Café Rozella (9434 Delridge Way SW): Sidewalk Sale! 4pm-7pm. Come support White Center Arts by bringing home lightly used goodies for your homestead. There will be a community rummage sale in front of Rozellas to help raise funding for a fantastic arts organization thats focused on keeping the arts in fabulous White Center. Hope to see you there!

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.

3.14 (9602 16th Ave SW): Amanda Kay Helmick- www.junkartkin.com– Mixed Media- This woman doesn’t just get to know her canvas, she tears it up! No… literally. She tears her canvases and stitches them… and weaves them…and affixes earthy, rough, found objects to them…sometimes she connects all of her doo-mah-higgies with one fantastical piece of ‘follow-me-to-where-I-am-going’ string!. Then she paints them and loves them and names them and sells them. You should participate in the last part. It will make your wall very, very happy. Come check out her work while The Kevin Helmick Eperience tears up the stage with their wonderous musical stylings (I might even say- Amanda’s “with the band” if you know what I’m talkin ‘bout…). Not enough?! Then we’ll throw in Amara Kopakova to do a little live painting….because we love you THAT much!

Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW): Katherine Gooding- Photography- What a treat! Katherine is a local White Center artist who has managed to take all the magic of Jubilee Days and put it on film. Her well attuned eye is bringing us so many favorite parts of summer in White Center. Come by Full Tilt and share in more favorites. Perhaps a waffle cone stuffed with Mexican Chocolate ice cream and a well composed pictures of the Rishis Egyptian Belly Dancers!?

Proletariat Pizza – (9622-A 16th Ave SW)- Saingbey Woodtor – www.glossyblack.org -Design & Illustration- Bold-lined illustrations that have a fluid, organic nature about them. His creations are clean, well thought out and manage to keep your eye freely flowing over the entirety of the image. Ranging from black & white to bold, unrelenting color, Saingbey promises to deliver a show that will keep your both your eyes and mind fulfilled. Come check him out and kiss the new Proletariat delivery bicycle on your way in. That thing is dead-sexy!

Herban Legends (Medical Marijuana Dispensary)- (9619 16th Ave SW)- Group Show!- Larry ‘the front desk guy’ is putting together a real treat this month. In honor of our Live Performance month, Larry will be hosting a “Culture with a Kick- Boxed Wine Tasting”. Some of you may be nay sayers (my fridge states otherwise) about the boxed wine epidemic, here is your chance to be pleasantly surprised. It will not be poured out of a basketball (some of your favorite NBA players used to put the wine bladder in an old b-ball so it wasn’t open for public view and they could have some refreshing Franzia on the court) but it will be accompanied by Live Painters and bitchin’ tunes. This DJ has yet to dissapoint. Come on in after 7:30 and appreciate all the finer things in life (Well some of ‘em at least). And Larry? You are so much more than ‘the front desk guy’ and we know it. One day we will even get your beautiful art into White Center proper.

MUSIC!
3.14 Bakery- (9602 16th Ave SW)- The Kevin Helmick Experience-
After playing drums in the americana project John Olive then playing keyboard and saxophone in funky groove project Roxbury Pound, Kevin has neglected performing some of his most intimate and thoughtful songs he’s written over the last few years. Having at one time fronted for the band ‘Drizzle’, Kevin’s guitar and vocals have since been hidden from public view as he performs in a variety of bands such as Fire All Lasers!, Katy Reichlin, and GoGo Sugar on large stages around the northwest. This performance is a rare occasion to see one of Seattle’s premier musician’s most closely held works.

Big Al Brewing-(9832 14th Avenue SW)- All Mixed Up!- ‘Contagious popular music from the 80’s’. These guys are bringing it back old school. Music that makes you want to gel your hair, don a white shoulder-padded jacket, fold up your sleeves and tight roll your pants. Come shake your goods with the cars tribute band that will knock your pushed down socks off. They’ll be hitting the stage at 6:30. I suggest a pitcher of Irish Red. No- seriously, it’s delicious.

Full Tilt- Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave SW)- Rats in the Grass- These peeps bring a level of awesome to every show that is unnatural. Their band currently consists of Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo and Fiddle HOW COULD THAT NOT EXCITE YOU!? Come have a pint of ice cream and a pint of beer while you tap your feet to some seriously happy tunes.

LIVE PAINTERS

Amara Kopakova
Eric Edwards
Dave Bloomfield-Starheadboy
Ryan Henry Ward
Xavier Lopez Jr.
Patricia Ariel
Paul Sorey

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Seattle filmmaker Megan Griffiths (whose “The Off Hours” premiered at Sundance) will be filming part of her next production “Eden” in White Center soon.

The businesses along 16th Ave. SW were given advance notice earlier this week by a location scout from Drummond Media notifying them of possible disruptions on the tentatively scheduled shoot date of Wednesday, August 17th from around 2:00 PM till 3:00 AM.

Barricades will be placed along 16th SW days in advance but will only apply on the day of shooting, at which time they will be removed from each area as filming is completed there. Signs will be placed by the production company informing the public that businesses are open even while the filming is under way.

More information about the production and filmmakers can be found on iMDB (go here) and at HollywoodReporter.com The plot is summarized as “A young Korean-American girl, abducted and forced into prostitution by domestic human traffickers, joins forces with her captors in a desperate plea to survive.” Jamie Chung stars; according to that Hollywood Reporter link, she’s been shooting a movie with Rob Lowe.

The filming is being coordinated by the Seattle Mayor’s Office of Film and Music and Washington FilmWorks

7 pm tonight (Friday) – come be the talent, the audience, or both, at a new outdoor open-mike night at Greenbridge Plaza. Full details on this Facebook event page.

Want to be part of the next White Center Art Walk? Here’s your chance!

Dear Artists & Art Lovers,

White Center Arts and the White Center Art Walk would like to invite you to participate in our 3rd Saturday Art Walk on August 20, 2011 from 6pm – 9pm. Our art walk has been growing at a fast and furious pace in the past two months, and we feel the excitement building. In June, we curated a Mini Short Film Festival with three unique programs shown at Full Tilt, Southgate Skate Rink and Big Al Brewing. Just this past weekend, we curated live painters at 3.14 Bakery, Big Al’s and the sidewalks of 16th Ave SW to great and enthusiastic response.

For August, our theme is Live Performance. We are putting a call out to dancers, dance troupes, spoken word artists, live painters, street performers and musicians. There are many great spaces to accommodate any and all types of performance art in White Center. We have space at 3.14 Bakery, Company Bar, Full Tilt, Big Al’s, Southgate Skate Rink, Triangle Pub, Sidewalks and Crosswalks and more!

Once we get artists’ commitments, we will create a schedule with times and locations.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please respond by August 8th, 2011 with:

Your Name
Troupe Name
Contact Info
Type of Performance Art
How many in your troupe
Any special needs (power, lighting, etc)

We are aware of the tight timeline of this ambitious event, but feel confident in you, and our White Center family to make it fantastic!

Please call or email us with questions or comments.

Thank you in advance,

Amanda Kay Helmick & Devrim Ozkan
White Center Art Walk Co-Curators
White Center Art Vice Chair / Secretary
whitecenterartwalk@gmail.com
Amanda: 206.708.5617
Devrim: 206.484.0399

Rain? What rain? We’re in denial. The Jubilee Days Street Festival is still on, and so’s tonight’s Art Walk. We’ll be checking out both. Jubilee Days info here; Art Walk info here.