Saturday Stories

From the Partners in Preservation site:

Submitted by Anita Warmflash at: April 23, 2010
A wonderful resource for the community with very fine instructors.

Submitted by Nanci at: April 23, 2010
The Kirkland Arts Center has been a focal point of my life since moving to Washington. My attempts with clay sculpture and pottery have introduced me to many extremely talented and and just great people. The faculty has always been so helpful and supportive. The outside adventures they have taken us on have been lifechanging. I suport the KAC 150% spiritually…we need help monetarily.

Share your story HERE and VOTE EVERYDAY FOR KIRKLAND ARTS CENTER Through May 12!

And the KAC Stories Keep Coming!

HAVE YOU VOTED FOR KIRKLAND ARTS CENTER? These voters have. (You can, too!)

Submitted by MaryWh at: April 22, 2010
One summer in the early 1980s, I taught a recorder class for children in the upper room (known then as “The Skylight Room,” I think). All the kids played soprano recorders, which, even for adults, tend not to be in tune with each other. The room’s acoustics were ultra live, esp. right under the skylight, where the class met. Often, when my ears were ringing with high-pitched harmonics, an elderly water color artist would emerge from his adjoining studio and tell the children they played like angels…which they did, in a manner of speaking. I loved teaching that class despite the sound.

Submitted by Carol at: April 22, 2010
In the late 90′s I worked for several years across the street from the KAC building. It wasn’t until last summer that I spent time there taking art classes. A beautiful treasure in our area, especially the skylight room on the top floor.

Submitted by MommaT at: April 22, 2010
My family has enjoyed many an art class in this beautiful, historic building. The staff & classes are wonderful. My youngest daughter asked me to go with her to the restroom & commented that the plumbing seemed as old as the building. This was of interest to us because we own a plumbing company. She wanted to know why they didn’t have a plumber put new pipes in the building. I let her know that they probably didn’t have the funding to pay for new plumbing. So we hope that KAC recieves this grant & is able to use it for the unsung hero of a building – the plumbing!

Submitted by Lee at: April 22, 2010
I have attended showings and purchased pottery at the Kirkland Arts Center. The proposed restoration is greatly needed and would make the Center a yet more important contributor to the historic fabric of the eastside.

Submitted by Nan at: April 22, 2010
Class instructors are great and playing in the mud (ceramics) is always fun!

Submitted by Carolyn at: April 22, 2010
Twenty-two years ago, we held our daughter’s 7th grade dance on the top floor! That’s historic! Our family has always LOVED this beautiful building, inside and out!

Have a KAC story to share? Contribute here.

Cast your daily vote for Kirkland Center here, through May 12!

Thank you for supporting Kirkland Arts Center!

VOTE TO PRESERVE KAC: Historical Photo of the Weekend

Since I won’t be blogging tomorrow, here is an extra special photo of the day! A guide to the good life, indeed! Your vote counts! VOTE KAC DAILY!

Currently on View at KAC: Clay? III

Clay? III

Juried by Jamie Walker, Akio Takamori, and Doug Jeck

On view through May 4, 2010

Kirkland Arts Center is proud to present the third installment of its biennial contemporary ceramics exhibition, Clay? III. Juried by artists and UW ceramics professors Doug Jeck, Akio Takamori, and Jamie Walker, Clay? III features selections from an international range of submissions. Despite ever-increasing avenues for artistic expression, this ancient medium continues to thrive. Lured by its history, physicality, and versatility, artists are literally re-shaping our perception of clay’s potential. Referencing tradition while pointing towards the future, Clay? III brings together 17 artists demonstrating the range of possibilities found in the earth-born material.

Congratulations to our winners! (Click on the artist’s name or image of the artwork to read the artist’s statement!)

Brian Molanphy, Best in Show

Brian Molanphy, Cup 1, bone china with glaze, 6 x 8 x 3 inches

Arun Sharma, Second Place

Arun Sharma, (de)Composition, video, size varies.

Devin Farrand, Third Place

Devin Farrand, Untitled (Black), earthenware, rubber, 13 x 16 x 22 inches, courtesy of John Hickman

Check out the exhibition at Kirkland Arts Center’s historic Peter Kirk Building, plan your visit today! Clay? III is on view through May 4, 2010.   

Education at Kirkland Arts Center

Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) serves nearly 2,000 students of all ages each year with classes in ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, painting, drawing, and multimedia. Our quarterly schedule includes first-time student classes, mini classes for those with challenging schedules and full quarter (8 – 10 week) classes for beginners through advanced students.

KAC houses a large classroom for painting and drawing, a printmaking studio, and a complete ceramics facility, including two gas-fired kilns. Our instructors are leaders in their fields and are committed to a positive and encouraging classroom environment.

We believe that arts education is key to a vibrant community.  Engaging in visual arts can be exhilarating and thought-provoking.  We think everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about art, to explore process and technique, to have fun and be inspired.

For more information on Education at KAC click here!