Several acclaimed Northwest artists are participating this weekend in the annual Gathering of Native Artists at the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner, which features displays and artifacts that chronicle the area's pioneering days.
Included in the show are Robert Eagle Bear, Bill James and Fran James of the Lummi Nation in Whatcom County. Also featured is Eagle Bear's wife Mary Snowden, a non-Indian whose work is native-inspired.
It's a great way to see traditional American Indian arts and crafts and how they're made, said Jo Wolfe, the museum's fundraising and publicity coordinator. The artists will be on hand to demonstrate skills such as painting, carving, weaving, knitting, basket- and hat-making, she said.
"They're all going to be working, creating, demonstrating their products," Wolfe said.
Eagle Bear and Snowden make baskets and jewelry of woven cedar. Snowden has been trained by some of the top weavers in the Coast Salish traditions, Wolfe said.
Fran James and her son Bill James are weavers and knitters, known for their knitted tribal-style hats, she said.
Exhibits will be in the museum's East Wing, a gallery that offers a panoramic view of the Skagit Valley, Mount Baker and the North Cascades.
Artists will show and sell native and native-inspired works from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the museum, 501 S. Fourth St. Admission to the museum is $8 for families; $4 for adults; $3 for seniors and children ages 6-12; and free for children 5 and younger.
For more information and directions, call 360-466-3365 or go online skagitcounty.net/museum.
PAINTER'S BIOGRAPHY
Anacortes writer Lois V. Harris will read from her new book, "Maxfield Parrish: Painter of the Magical Make-Believe," in a free program and slide show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, in the downstairs Readings Gallery at Village Books, 1200 11th St.
Harris's biography of the celebrated American painter is aimed at readers ages 5 to 8 - but she's finding that adults are enjoying it as a coffee table book because of its many prints by Parrish, whose paintings helped reshape the field of illustration in the first half of the 20th century.
"He did so much to develop the future of visual art," Harris said, adding that Parrish's paintings helped boost the national spirit in the dark days of the Depression and World War II, she said.
Harris said she discovered Parrish while she was doing research for an earlier book. She was drawn to Parrish's bold use of color and the luminous quality he gave his paintings, she said.
"There was a sparkle that came through," in the original oils, Harris said. It was a technique of applying layers of paint over varnish that Parrish said he borrowed from the Old Masters.
Harris said she was impressed by Parrish's "gutsy independence" and that he achieved much of his success later in life. She hopes that example will drive her readers to find a passion in life and go after it.
"I write to inspire children to follow their dreams," Harris said. "If you have a dream, you can pursue it."
K-9 COPS
Bellingham police Officer Shan Hannon will demonstrate how the department's K-9 unit works in an all-ages presentation that includes canine "officers" Celina and Max from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan.19, in the downstairs lecture room at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave.
CONCERT FOR FIRE VICTIMS
Bellingham acoustic rock group Boys Makin Noise and Bellingham FirePipes, a bagpipe and drum corps composed of local firefighters, will be playing a concert to raise funds for the MacGregor family of Bellingham, who were injured in a fire that destroyed their home on New Year's morning. They are also planning on a bake sale and having other refreshments, plus a silent auction.
The event is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Blue Horse Gallery, 301 W. Holly St. at Bay Street.
INFANT RESOURCE FAIR
Lil' 'Hamsters' Infant and Toddler Resource Fair, a free informational event sponsored by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department and others is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 28, in the Community Building at Bloedel Donovan Park, corner of Alabama Street and Electric Avenue.
Participants will be able to get information about local resources and services available to new and expecting parents. Although the event is free, there is a suggested donation of a jar of baby food at the door to be donated to the Bellingham Food Bank. Also included is an exchange of "lightly worn" clean clothing in good repair.
Additional sponsors include the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access, Bellingham Preschool of the Arts, Bellingham MOMS Club, and Whatcom Hills Waldorf School.
For more information, call Amanda Grove at the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, 360-778-7000 (738-7366 TTY).
