The KAC Links Invitational is coming to a close, and to celebrate KAC is throwing a summer party! Mini-Golf! Hot Dogs! Veggie Burgers! Cocktails! Molly Moon’s Ice Cream Truck! Whiting Tennis and his band! Costume Contest! Sunshine! Summertime! Kirkland! You’re invited! GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!
Haven’t seen the show yet? Now’s the time: here’s a preview (Thanks, CityArts!)
Tags: Events, Exhibitions, KAC, Party
Artist Ben Hirschkoff, alongside gallery visitors at Jason Hirata's installation at the public opening.
I’m now entering my second year as a resident of the Pacific Northwest, originating south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and by way of Buffalo, New York. One might say that I’ve experienced a genuine range of American weather, so I mean it when I say:
We do not get enough summer out here.
In Junes spent elsewhere, leaving the office for lunch would mean preparing oneself to run to the car, opening all the doors to let the accumulated heat and steam out, and then crossing fingers that any bare skin doesn’t touch the fiery leather seats. As a newly assimilated Pacific North-westerner, preparing to leave the office now means grabbing my jacket.
I’m not complaining. Much like Caravaggio’s tenebrism, the murky darkness of our landscape only makes the sunny days that much brighter. If I see even a glimpse of the sun on a Saturday morning, I instantly consider the many ways that I can treat the day like “summer”: biking, visiting the beach, grilling, or getting a margarita with friends.
Right now, Kirkland Arts Center’s gallery is featuring the ultimate summer exhibition: an artist-designed, functional miniature golf course. If you didn’t attend the opening last Friday evening, I assure you that you missed out. The course is surprisingly addictive, and it really is the most fun in a group setting. If you didn’t make it to the opening (and even if you did) we have another exciting opportunity for you to experience the exhibition while enjoying many of the seasonal essentials that constitute the perfect “Summer Party” on Saturday, July 24:
For a mere $25, you can grab tasty hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers right off our outdoor grill and cool off with delicious clubhouse cocktails sponsored by Dry Soda Co. (These locally made beverages feature exotic and refreshing flavors like Kumquat, Rhubarb, Cucumber, Lemongrass, and Lavender.) Play the course against other visitors for a chance to be crowned victor with our custom Links Invitational Green Jacket, awarded to the winner at the party. Assuming you can tear yourself away from the course, you can step outside and enjoy a live performance by Whiting Tennis + Band (think guitar, bass, drums, and cello).
Whiting Tennis + Band performing at Open Satellite in 2009.
As if the idea of firing up the grill, sipping cool cocktails, playing a round of miniature putt-putt, and taking in a live outdoor concert didn’t already conjure nostalgic memories of sunny seasons’ past, then Molly Moon’s ice cream truck should do the trick. The truck makes a stop by KAC at 7:30PM to scoop out flavors like salted caramel, Theo’s chocolate, balsamic strawberry, and honey lavender, to name just a few.
Don’t forget to break out those plaid knickers and caps! We’re encouraging attendees to sport their best golf apparel, and we’ll even have a contest for the best fairway style.
When: Saturday, July 24
Where: Kirkland Arts Center
Tickets: $25 (includes dinner and drinks) purchase HERE, Ice cream (sold at the event): $2.20 small cone, $3.30 large cone.
The best part: Proceeds from ticket sales go directly to support the kind of ambitious programming that brought the Links Invitational to life!
Molly Moon's new ice cream truck will pull up to KAC at 7:30PM. Small cone: $2.20, Large cone: $3.30
This Friday, June 11 at 6 – 8:30 PM, “drive” on over to KAC for the Tee-Off/Preview of The KAC Links Invitational Exhibition!
The KAC Links Invitational brings together 12 artists, transforming the KAC Gallery into a playable, nine-hole miniature golf course. Working within loosely defined boundaries, the artists (and artist groups) respond to notions of accessibility, sport, and the balance between art and entertainment. Aiming to connect a wider audience to contemporary approaches in art-making, KAC Links Invitational challenges visitors directly with something partially familiar. By adhering (mostly) to an established format and set of rules, this exhibition already meets even the most distant arts participant half way.
Curated by Cable Griffith, with participating artists/artist teams:
Tim Cross & Whiting Tennis
Noah Grussgott
Jason Hirata
Ben Hirschkoff & Jason Wood
Trevor Johnson & Ryan Molenkamp
Kristen Ramirez
Elise Richman
SuttonBeresCuller
W. Scott Trimble
Summer Quarter classes and workshops at KAC begin Monday, June 14. That’s just a little over 3 weeks away. Registration is now open to everyone – if you haven’t taken a look at the Summer Quarter catalog yet, download it here, or browse our Education pages:
http://www.kirklandartscenter.org/education/main.php
Two weeks later – on June 28 – we kick off five weeks of hands-on arts projects for kids (ages 5 – 12) with KAC’s 2010 Youth Summer Art Camps. Space is still available – visit us online at http://www.kirklandartscenter.org/education/summerartcamps.php for more info.
Art for All at KAC
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to cast your vote at PartnersInPreservation.com! All of us at KAC hope you’ve voted daily (or at least often!) over the last month to demonstrate the tremendous support for preservation in the Puget Sound region. We hope today you’ll cast your vote for KAC, demonstrating the significance of Kirkland Arts Center in your lives, and in the community, as a valuable source of arts education at all skill levels and in a variety of disciplines for children and adults alike, and as a resource for local and emerging artists and curators to innovate and develop new work and ideas.
Thank you for your amazing show of support over this last month – and please cast one last vote TODAY to preserve the Peter Kirk building!
Explore the scenic neighborhoods of Kirkland, on the beautiful shores of Lake Washington, on this free, self-guided tour of artist home studios. Tour visitors are invited into a variety of different studios, representing dozens of local artists. Browse among new works; watch art making demonstrations; and purchase art directly from the artists themselves. List of participating artists are here!
A wide range of artwork will be on display and available for purchase among the various studios: Jewelry, Glass Art, Paintings, Photography, Garden Art, Sculpture, Furniture, Fiber Arts, and more! Grab a map and “do the Tour.” Search the artist pages of this website to further inform you about Tour artists, see additional images of their works, and to find out which studios will be offering artist demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Printed KAST maps will be available through Kirkland Arts Center or downloadable from this website. Using the map, and watching for the KAST street signs (click here to see a street sign), visitors are able to guide themselves on their own studio tour around town.
Closing Reception as KAC’s Art Store at Parkplace, has
KAC’s Art Store, has, is not only one of 20 great stops on the weekend’s Tour, but is the site of our closing party Sunday, May 9, from 4 to 6 PM. Join us for wine, appetizers, and outstanding shopping opportunities. Yes, it’s Mother’s Day, so take advantage of a 10% “happy hour” discount and find the perfect gift to celebrate Mom. Don’t know what to get her? Bring her along and let her pick what she wants! We have something for everyone, and your purchase supports local artists and the Arts Center – a mom-approved investment!
This Mother’s Day Weekend support the local art-making community and be a part of the fun at the Kirkland Artist Studio Tour.
Enjoy!
Mike
kacsandy
cablegriffith
bridgettezzard
ucgeorgie
laurenerlinger
kirklandartscenter
aartikac
