view from other tree

Ries Niemi & Sheila Klein

The official opening isn't until Friday, June 1st, but the show is up now.  Ries Niemi and Sheila Klein are sharing Anchor through July 24.  View from other tree is an installation based show.  Niemi's wall work is priced individually, but while at Anchor can be read as a visual sentence.  His work at Anchor combines lessons learned from musicians at Anacortes' own What The Heck Fest, and the common practice in consumer culture of tossing objects aside.  Niemi explores the question of what makes an object precious or trash.

On the other side of the space, Sheila Klein's closet-like installation is neither narrative or representational.  Her work invites the viewer to enter the work, and think of art in a less traditional way.  Klein's work can be worn, sat on, touched and even hugged.  "New Trade Route" contains a variety of pieces that can be worn directly out of the gallery.  Also at Anchor, in the video room, are three of Klein's videos; "Run'er way Detour", "We're Busy", and "Comfort Zone: The Process".

  

Even though the official opening is July 1st, 6-9pm we are open to the public now, so stop by and get a look. 

See you at Anchor!

June at Anchor

Today, Friday June 3rd, is the Anacortes Art Walk.  The weather is absolutely gorgeous and is showing no signs of changing.  If you have somehow missed Gail Grinnell's work, make sure you fit time in your schedule to stop by and spend some time absorbing this truly unique work.  We will be open until about 8 pm tonight.

This also means we are in the final throws of Gail Grinnell's work dominating the front room at Anchor.  tinker, tailor will be up through June 11th, at which time (1:00 pm) Gail will be coming in to talk about her work and the process of making it.  This is a great opportunity to ask Gail any questions you may have. 

The following week will be a busy one, Sheila Klein and Ries Niemi will be spending a week installing their work.  The show will be able to be viewed starting June 17th, and the official opening will be July 1st.  Start planing your visit(s) to Anchor now, the weather is only looks to be getting better!

See you at Anchor!

Margaret Davidson's Contemporary Drawing

Anchor Artist, Margaret Davidson has just released a book with Random House, Inc.  Contemporary Drawing: Key Concepts and Techniques is now available for your consumption.  You can find it HERE, to purchase through Amazon. 

In her book, Margaret discusses the surge of drawing in the art world and "delves into the essential and far-reaching concepts of this medium, exploring surface, mark, space, composition, scale, materials, and intentionality in turn."  Drawing, as something separate and unique from painting, is not subject to the same traditional thoughts as other forms of art.  Contemporary Drawing, offering a broad perspective on this field of art, is illustrated by a large number of contemporary artists, "Drawing has come of age."  Check it out!
(from Random House's Synopsis).


Congratulations to Margaret!

Bonus Round!

We were lucky enough to have a friend of the gallery come in and take photos of tinker, tailor, mender, maker.  They turned out really nice.  You might have seen them here, facebook, or on our website, but we thought we'd give it another turn in the spotlight.  They photos are beautiful, if you haven't had the chance to experience Gail Grinnell's work, hopefully they inspire your visit.  If you have seen the work, hopefully they inspire you to see it again...Through Saturday June 11th.

See you at Anchor!

Review Session

It looks like we have a couple people who like the show.  Check out the reviews on The Stranger's site.  It is always nice to get such positive feedback. Thanks Friends!
The Stranger - Out of Town

In other news, Anchor's show calender is changing slightly.  Due to unforeseen circumstances Helen Gamble is unable to participate in Anchor in June.  It is unfortunate, but we've come up with a fix.  Gail Grinnell's show will be extended through mid June and Ries Niemi and Sheila Klein will begin their installation the following week.  Sorry about any confusion.

tinker, tailor, mender, maker

March has been an exciting month for us at Anchor.  Thank you again to everyone who was a part of it.
This past week has been especially busy with a reading by Alex Kuo, visits from Sherman Alexie, music by the Savage Jazz Trio, not to mention the beautiful work we all got to experience by Jasmine Valandani and Steve Peters.  April is just around the corner though, and with it a new show.  Gail Grinnell's tinker, tailor, mender, maker will be opening this Friday, April 1st (6-9 pm), during the Anacortes Art Walk.

Gail will be presenting an exciting spacial investigation using charcoal on vellum, and ink, acrylic and coffee on cut polyester.   

"Of late, the focus of my drawings and installations has become more and more directed towards finding the oddities and holes in my relationship to the world around me and measuring, fitting, dressing and mending them in anyway I can."  - Gail Grinnell, as told to Sam Wildman, 2011 (excerpted). 

Check out Gail's statement about her works here.

The show will run from this Friday (April 1) to May 28.  Having had a chance to visit her studio, we can tell you, Gail's work is proving to be stunning.  Definitely a can't miss opportunity.

See you at Anchor!

Valandani/Peters Discuss Work

Sunday, March 27th, 1-4pm, Jasmine Valandani and Steve Peters are coming to Anchor to discuss their work.  Jasmine Valandani will be talking about the current exhibition in relation to her process, materials and intention.  Composer/sound artist Steve Peters, will be speaking about his current sound installation at Anchor, Chamber Music 9: Northern Light (For Julius).  The piece was made for the purpose of accompanying Valandani's traces and based on an hour long recording of Anchor while empty.  It references the mysterious phenomena of "auroral sound" associated with the Northern Lights.  Along with his work, Steve will discuss intentional listening where, weather permitting, he will guide visitors on a listening walk of the neighborhood.  This is a wonderful chance to learn and discuss the intriguing work that has been on display at Anchor this month, plus it is the last day to see the show.  See you there!

http://steve-peters.blogspot.com/

http://jasminevalandani.com/home.html

http://anchorartspace.org/