The work of 25 members from Associated Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS) is on display through April 7 at the “Winter Festival Show” in the John Spellman Library on the campus of Grays Harbor College, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive in Aberdeen.
Most of the artists will be in attendance Friday, March 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at a reception that is open to the public. Coinciding with the reception at 7:30 p.m. is the first of six performances of GHC’s Spring Musical, “Anything Goes,” at the Bishop Center for the Performing Arts.
AAOS president Ed Schroll explained that his group has nurtured a slowly growing presence at the Spellman Library, through participation in the college’s 24-year-old Fall Gala art exhibit. Schroll described it as “a premier art show event in Grays Harbor County over the years, a prestige place to go, for artists to get into.”
He said that Valerie Busch, whose work at the GHC library includes coordinating the art displays, has been looking for art groups to come in other times this year. “I’ve gotten to know Valerie over the last few years, she’s learned about AAOS, and at the end of last Fall Gala she offered the opportunity for a Winter Festival show,” Schroll said.
The show opened last week, with over 100 pieces from AAOS members making up a gallery in the two-story foyer area and the main floor hall of the library. Schroll said he expects the Friday evening reception will be well attended, as over 1,000 invitations have been sent out and the event offers free refreshments and wine.
He also revealed that AAOS has been asked to produce the Fall Gala in 2017. It’s “quite a feather in our cap,” he beamed. Also on tap are the organization’s annual Fine Arts, Photography and 3D Show, April 22 and 23 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, a summer show at Oyehut Bay and the AAOS Arts &Crafts Festival, which will take place over Labor Day weekend at the Convention Center.
AAOS artists participating in the Winter Festival are: Laraine Wade-Butler, Bobby Smyth, Larry Walden, KristiBeitzel, Kris Jenott, Ken Hurley, Ed Schroll, Joan Lohr, Loni Lou LaQuill, Lora Malakoff, Peggy Ross, Cheryl Stevenson, Patricia Jollimore, Brenda Peterson, Tammy Franson, Kathy Gustafson, Sandy DeLuna, Barbara Patton, Marilyn Smith-McKinney, Stephen Phifer, Bev Lufkin-King, Jim Beauvais, Susan LaMadrid, Janet Delong, and Eiler Gutierrez.
The library’s hours are : Monday – Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. More information about AAOS can be found online at www.associatedarts.org.
Fine Arts, Photography Show
Associated Arts of Ocean Shores also is gearing up for its annual Fine Arts, Photography and 3D Show April 22-23 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. As in previous years, AAOS is searching for artists in all three divisions. Last year’s winners walked away with more than $7,000. AAOS also offers sponsorship awards, giving individuals and local businesses the opportunity to sponsor an artist. The sponsorship award will be displayed with the sponsor’s name alongside the art and in the show program. AAOS is offering a limited amount of artist vendor spaces. There will be artists in action during the show giving the artists an opportunity to show their stuff and our visitors a chance to meet the artists. The Fine Art, Photography and 3D show includes both juried and open work along with youth art from our North Beach School District.
This year’s judges include: photography Alan Pankau, a retired technical educator; Fine Arts, Paul R Daneker, a member of the board of Directors of the Pacific Rim Institute of Marine Artists; Douglas Orr, commissioned to paint several murals by the city of Aberdeen and is the owner of the Aberdeen City Art Center, which features Alder Grove Gallery.
An artist reception will be held on Friday, April 21, giving artists an opportunity to meet the judges. Music by the “PB Jazz Treo.” The artist reception is open to entered artists, judges and AAOS members only. This year’s show chairs are Joan Lohr and Loni Lou LaQuill. Visit associatedarts.org and download this year’s prospectus.
March
17-18: Daffodil Festival at Seabrook to celebrate March in bloom. Spring window decorating competition at all town merchants. Vote at Cottage Rentals for your favorite.
On Friday, there is an artist wine reception from 7-9 p.m. at North Coast Montessori. Mountain bike ride at 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Spring Market on Seabrook Avenue, with an art showcase at North Coast Montessori. At 11 a.m., there is the Yellow, White, and Orange (YOW!) parade for people, dogs, bikes, other non-motorized transportation devices (wagons, skateboards, etc.) At noon, there is a picnic in Town Hall and on the lawn, with Festive Contest judging.
17-19: Razor Clam Festival and Seafood Extravaganza at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. (www.oceanhsores.org)
This festival is dedicated to all things “razor clam.” The razor clam chowder restaurant contest is perhaps the most popular of the festival events. The judging is done by both the public and by professional chefs.
The amateur razor clam chowder cook-off draws dozens of folks showing their “razor clam chowder” skills and is judged by professional chefs as well as 2016 amateur winners.
Event schedules and the rest of the festival’s “Clamtastic” sponsors can be round on the website: http://www.oceanshores.org/clams/
19: Dugan’s Run: The annual fun run through Ocean Shores starts at 9 a.m. and ends at Dugan’s Pizza on Ocean Shores Boulevard: 5K, 10K and youth mile runs. Visit the Dugan’s Run page on Facebook for information.
April
1: Elvis benefit show; The second annual Ocean Shores Food Bank benefit with Danny Vernon returning as ”The Illusion of Elvis” will be held Saturday, April 1 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. There will be a Hawaiian Luau catered by George Lee at 6 with a silent auction throughout the evening, closing at 7 p.m., and Elvis entertaining at 7:30.
Tickets are on sale at the Visitor Information Center or from any OSFB director or volunteer. Price for a ticket is $30/per person, with limited premier front row seating at $300/table for 8. All proceeds benefit the Ocean Shores Food Bank. For more information, go to oceanshoresfoodbank.org or check out their Facebook page – Ocean Shores Food Bank. The OSFB is a 501 (c)(3) tax deductible organization.
8: Umbrella Parade at Seabrook. Gather on Front Street at 11 a.m.for the yearly umbrella parade. Decorate your umbrella, as there will be prizes given for most creative and fun umbrella designs. The parade will loop around town and return to Cottage Rentals where there will be hot cocoa.
Come to cottage rentals between 9 and 10:30 that morning to purchase and decorate a plain white umbrella with fabric pens, and stick on items, at $5 per umbrella.
14-16: Easter Weekend at Seabrook. On Friday, Seabrook will host the annual Easter Scavenger Hunt for kids under 16. Stop by Seabrook Cottage Rentals after 4 p.m. to pick up scavenger hunt booklets, scurry around Seabrook to collect stamps and return your booklet to cottage rentals before 6 p.m. on Saturday evening. If you have collected all of the stamps you will be entered into a drawing. Winners will be announced and receive prizes on Sunday before Egg Hunt at Crescent Park
On Saturday, paint wooden eggs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This family friendly event is for grown-ups and kids of any age at $5 per egg. Stop in Cottage Rentals for location information.
On Sunday, the traditional Easter Egg Hunt is at Crescent Park. Hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. Children will collect as many wooden eggs as they can and turn them in for prizes.
16: The annual Ocean Shores Firefighter Association Easter Egg Hunt will be at 1 p.m. at the Ocean Shores Elementary School.
21-25: Fine Arts, Photography &Electronic Media Shows, Ocean Shores Convention Center: www.associatedarts.org
