Arts Walk and Arab Festival Offer Culture

By Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The weather cooperated all weekend, and Arts Walk continued on Saturday in downtown Olympia, with some exhibits scheduled to be on display throughout the month. The pace on Saturday was quieter, and allowed more time to see art and speak with artists about their work.

 

Above: Pianist Luke Davis, 16, played outside Browser’s Bookstore on Capitol Way for Arts Walk. Davis said he’s been playing for eight years and has participated at Arts Walk for six years. He attends Black Hills High School. He says donations are going toward his college fund, and parts for his car. “My window isn’t staying up,” he said.

Above: Members of Shahrazad dance Ensemble of Seattle perform at the Olympia Arab Festival yesterday at The Olympia Center.

The Olympia Arab Festival

Coinciding with Arts Walk was the Olympia Arab Festival, sponsored by the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice.

The theme of its second annual event was “Shuruq II,” which means sunrise. In a celebration of Arab culture, the event featured food, performances, speakers, and children’s activities.

Rachel Corrie, Olympia, was killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003 as she tried to prevent the demolition of the home of two Palestinian families.

The Rachel Corrie Foundation was established by Rachel’s family to continue the work that she hoped to accomplish. The Foundation conducts and supports programs that foster connections between people that build understanding, respect and appreciation for differences.

Above: Laith Amireh, 20, of Amman, Jordan, attends Bellevue College and is taking courses in computer science and programming. He says he enjoys being part of the Arabic Culture Student Association, which has 138 members. For more information about the club, go to www.learnarabicculture.org. This is the club’s first visit to Olympia.

Above: The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Mural Project on Capitol Way and State Street in downtown Olympia. For taped recorded information about the wall and the artists, call (360) 252-9779.

Above: Omar demonstrates the fine art of Arabic coffee making at the Olympia-Rafah Mural today. The smell was irresistible. The result of just one cup made for a very productive afternoon and evening! The site at the mural featured a hookah lounge at last night’s Arts Walk.

For more information about the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice, go to www.rachelcorriefoundation.org.

Arts Walk is sponsored by the City of Olympia Arts Commission and the Department of Parks, Arts & Recreation with plenty of support by local businesses and artists. For more information about Arts Walk, go to www.olympiawa.gov/parks.

Olympia Gets Ready for Arts Walk

Above: Stephanie Johnson, City of Olympia Arts and Events program manager and knitter, was spotted making her own contribution to Arts Walk today. She said it was a portion of a really old, bad sweater she started in the 80's and never finished. "You know, the kind that would have had shoulder pads - it's made of acrylic - if it's going to take 20 years to finish a sweater, it should be wool!" she laughed.

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Olympia is getting ready for Arts Walk this weekend! Arts Walk maps featuring nearly 100 artists and events are available at www.olympiawa.gov/parks and distributed throughout downtown. Of course, plenty of guerrilla art and activities are not on the map.

A cozy yarn art installation was underway today on the Olympia -Yashiro Friendship Bridge and will cover the lamp post bases. Artists have received permission from the city to keep it in place until next Sunday.

Above and below: Gail P. of Spectral Spiders was busy today knitting together portions of donated pieces to be placed on the bridge's lamp posts. She said the group formed in August to do this project, and "all are welcome to come create on the bridge and offer pieces to be repurposed. It's all about showing your stitches, you know?"

 

Arts Walk is sponsored by the City of Olympia Arts Commission and the Department of Parks, Arts and Recreation, and local businesses.

 

Above: Hmmm...what's next? A winter cap for the dome of the Capitol Building?

P.O.W.E.R. Art Fundraiser Continues Sunday

Above: Callie and Ben entertain a steady stream of folks coming to check out the P.O.W.E.R. fundraiser today at 309 5th Avenue SE, in downtown Olympia next to Rainy Day Records. The event continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

P.O.W.E.R. Art Fundraiser Continues Sunday 

by Janine Unsoeld
www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Despite the rain, a steady stream of bazaar and arts supporters were out in force today, knowing that the best place to shop is indoor, supporting local crafters, school parent-teacher organizations, businesses, and organizations doing good work.

One of those organizations is Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights (P.O.W.E.R.) in downtown Olympia. Their mission statement says that "P.O.W.E.R. advocates for and with low-income parents for a strong safety net while working toward a world where children and care giving are truly valued, and the devastation of poverty has been eradicated."

Their cozy office, at 309 5th Avenue SE, next to Rainy Day Records, was the scene of live music and art offered by local artists as a fundraiser for their efforts. Participating artists had the choice to donate 50% or 100% of their proceeds to the organization and were encouraged to write biographies to place near their art.

One young artist, Sarah Bredeson, wrote this: "I am 12 years old. My mom and I have helped with P.O.W.E.R. off and on for the last few years. I enjoy craft projects, painting, acrylics, sewing, making self-care items like scented bath salts, and beading. I am supporting P.O.W.E.R. because I like the work they do in making people aware of others living in poverty. I enjoy art because it is a stress relief and FUN."

Today, art by Jennifer Khuns (mosiacs), Marla Beth Elliott (knitting), Lynn Grotsky (beading), and other lesser known artists filled the walls and office space, which includes a separate child care room, and kitchen filled with treats and warm drinks for sale.

The event continues tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. with live music by other musicians throughout the day.

P.O.W.E.R. sponsors several activities, including a Women's Economic Collective. For more information about the work of P.O.W.E.R., go to www.mamapower.org or call (360) 352-9716.

Full Disclosure: Little Hollywood Photography is a participating business at this worthy event. I was raised by a wonderful, hardworking single mom, and I was a single mom for most of my children's lives. By cobbling together a variety of self-employment, artistic, and entrepreneurial activities, I've never missed a mortgage payment. I'm one of the lucky ones.

Above: Necklaces offered by local mosiac artist Jennifer Khuns. Khuns is most recently known for being the artist of the artesian well work in downtown Olympia.