Art festival brings artists, admirers together

The first annual Cathlamet Art Festival sponsored by Tsuga Gallery was great fun and brought new customers into several downtown businesses.

The event was opened with a reception on Friday night at Tsuga Gallery, and then people made their way to the Pioneer Community Center to hear Washington State Poet Laureate, Tod Marshall, do a poetry reading, followed by local musicians Andrew Emlen and Kyleen Austin.

On Saturday, there was an artist market full of beautiful items in the Bank of Pacific parking lot. An art walk from 10-4, led visitors into local businesses to view art and take part in a kind of scavenger hunt to collect punches on an art card and enter a drawing for some prizes.

In the barber shop, artist Libby Davis, 12 years old, was holding her first show. She'd already sold several pieces of art and was enjoying the afternoon with her teacher, Carol Peacock. Davis, who has been drawing for several years, is simultaneously learning technique and how to find her own style.

In Scribbles Nails, a gift shop on Main Street filled with art and some unique and beautiful items, where people can get their nails done or paint ceramics, the owner, Angi Doumit Sauer expressed excitement about the event. It had brought more new people through her door, including some local residents who admitted that they had never noticed her shop before.

Musicians played at the Hotel Cathlamet, and in the garden of the Julia Butler Hansen home all afternoon. Poets and authors read from their work in the Pioneer Community Center, and artists offered workshops and demonstrations throughout the day.

Poet Laureate Tod Marshall held a poetry writing workshop that morning as well. Marshall, who teaches at Gonzaga in Spokane, is knowledgeable about the art of writing and compelling in his delivery. His three students were in for a treat, and came away with some of their own poems when the two hours were over.

Later that day, Bob Kizziar, a local resident and ceramicist, gave a demonstration on ceramic hand building for a crowd, and talked about his life as an artist.

Meanwhile, at the Pioneer Community Center, Robert Michael Pyle and Florence Sage shared some of their poetry for an appreciative group.

Saturday evening the event ended with a performance from Butterfly Launches from Spar Pole, music and poetry from Robert Michael Pyle, Krist Novoselic, and Ray Prestegard.