"Journey to Creativity" at Icicle Arts Gallery

 

Icicle Arts Gallery presents “Journey to Creativity,” featuring original artwork by Wenatchee artist and art instructor Castilia Cava. The show opened on November 19 and will be on display until mid January. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be held on Friday, December 3, from 5PM to 7PM with free admission, refreshments, and local wines from Cascadia Winery, Vin du Lac, Icicle Ridge Winery, and Wedge Mountain. The gallery is located at Barn Beach Reserve - 347 Division Street in downtown Leavenworth. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11AM to 4PM and by appointment.

About the Artist
Castilia Cava holds a B.A. in Visual Arts Education from Central Washington University and a B.A. from the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University. Cava’s work was most recent included in group gallery shows at Gallery ’76 and the Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center, in Wenatchee, and at Gallery 1 in Ellensburg. “Journey to Creativity” is her first ever solo show. “I love seeing the faces and hearing feedback from my family and friends as I am creating my works of art.  They are my encouragement and the reason I continue to create.”

Castilia Cava’s artwork explores a range of mediums and movements from painting and drawing to her use of the classic sculpture mediums of plaster and wood. She has canvases which are influenced by Cubism and the Post Impressionists work of Gauguin. It is through this exploration that the artist continues to experiment in line, color, texture and form. Cava is developing a strong personal narrative that provides the viewer with insight in the artist’s own creativity and what she has called her “journey of experimentation with media, texture, and color.” It is within this journey that the viewer is given space and time to explore and to find their own meaning and a new perspective in these unexpected and joyful artworks.

About the Gallery
Icicle Arts Gallery is a program of Icicle Arts, North Central Washington’s arts alliance since 2004. To learn more, join as a member, and support the arts in the Wenatchee River Valley, visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278. Iicle Arts Gallery presents six solo shows per year and two special exhibits. For more information on the gallery, to submit a show application, and to view e-shows currently online visit iciclearts.org/gallery or call (509) 548-2278.

First "Film in the Barn" - Nov. 20, 7pm

This 90-minute film documents and explores the artwork of Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy and his use of natural materials to create stunning temporary outdoor installations. Praised as "a sculpture of sea and prairie, of water, fire and stone" by Ann Wilson Lloyd of New York Times Arts; Leisure, Rivers and Tides is the first of our new "Films in the Barn" series (co-presented by Barn Beach Reserve). Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Call 548-2278 to reserve in advance, or purchase at the door. 

Benefit Concert and Silent Auction Nov. 6

Grammy Award-winning cellist and member of the Paul Winter Consort Eugene Friesen will perform "Soul of the Cello," a benefit concert for Icicle Arts, on Saturday, November 6 at 7PM in "The Barn" at Barn Beach Reserve. Local wines and complimentary refreshments will be served and a silent auction will take place throughout the evening.Reserve tickets online through Brown Paper Tickets or call (509) 548-2278 to reserve (no fees for phone reservervations!) Tickets are $15 in advance, $12 for students and seniors over 60 (with valid ID), and $18 at the door. Learn More

3 McConnells at Icicle Arts Gallery

Icicle Arts Gallery presents their first ever group show “3 McConnells,” featuring original artwork by Cashmere artist Dan McConnell and his son and daughter, Aaron and Bryn. The show opened September 24 and will be on display until mid-November. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment. The gallery is located along with Barn Beach Reserve and the Upper Valley Museum at 347 Division Street in downtown Leavenworth.

“3 McConnells” provides a unique opportunity for viewers to trace the artistic development of members of the same family who have shared the experience of making art while finding their individual voices and mediums of expression. The development of an artist is constantly in flux. The pieces on display tell the story of three different paths traveled by three individuals. As paths often do, they converge and separate. The works have been selected to highlight those points of intersection as well as the differences.

Meet the Artist - This Saturday!
Icicle Arts will host a "Meet the Artist" reception at the gallery this Saturday, October 9, from 5PM to 7PM with refreshments and local wines by Wedge Mountain Winery, Cascadia Winery, Icicle Ridge Winery, and Vin du Lac Winery. Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend.

About the Artists
Dan McConnell started developing his passion for art early in life. By age four he was drawing cartoon dioramas of Cowboys and Indians waging wars with bullets, arrows and tomahawks flying through the air. He has pursued a wide variety of styles and mediums since those early days - Dan’s work includes oil painting, acrylics, watercolors, soapstone sculpture, Sculpey clay sculptures, pen and ink/brush and ink drawings, and computer graphics. His formal art education at Wenatchee Valley College, Western Washington University and Central Washington University culminated with a Broad Area Art degree and a provisional teaching certificate. The education focus helped him instill his passion for art into others, including his children Aaron and Bryn. “We drew as a family almost every day; it was an integral part of our lives. We drew in pencil and crayon and painted in watercolors. When they were older I introduced them to watercolors and oil painting.”

Some of Aaron McConnell’s first drawings were three panel comic strips obviously influenced by his Dad's semi-autobiographical weekly cartoon strip "Apple Andy" that ran in the Cashmere Valley Record for 20 years. His father painted the characters from his strip in a scenic mural on the bedroom Aaron and his sister Bryn shared, and the characters felt like members of the family. Aaron is sure that this vivid immersion into the comic strip medium shaped his own interest in comics. In high school (CHS) Aaron drew cartoons for the school newspaper and drew his first comic book pages in an after-school comic book class taught by his father. Aaron attended CWU, like his dad, and then went on to pursue a BA with an emphasis in painting and drawing. Painting was his passion at that time and he convinced his young family to relocate to Providence, RI to attend the graduate painting program at The Rhode Island School of Design. As fate would have it, the school offered a course on Comic Book Storytelling and that was all it took to bring him back to the medium of comics. Aaron has an extensive list of reasons he loves comics, but from a creative standpoint, the feeling of composing and arranging little boxes of drawings that build something larger as a whole is an exhilarating process (and endlessly challenging). Working in comics has given him the opportunity to collaborate with other talented writers and artists and has awakened a deep, previously unrealized interest in history. “I look forward to the daily exercise of working at a drawing board not only to develop the technical craft of drawing comics, but because I know that I'm guaranteed to learn something new about the subject that I'm building a story from."

Bryn McConnell first pursued painting at Western Washington University, and then transferred to Pratt Institute in New York where she earned her BFA. Her final semester at Pratt allowed her to study in Venice, Italy. Upon graduation she lived in the Czech Republic, then Belgium where she continued to work as a full-time artist. While abroad she studied as an exchange student, participated in residencies and exhibited her work in several locations throughout Europe. In 2008 she returned to New York City to study at the School of Visual Arts and earned her MFA. Bryn’s most recent exhibition took place at Greenberg Van Doren Gallery in New York where she received much attention through reviews in both the New Yorker and Time Out New York magazines. Bryn paints images of women in an expressionistic style, seeking to display an internal spiritual force through the materialistic artifice of fashion. Her interest lies in representing the intangible spirit by utilizing contemporary definitions of identity, not particularly as cages of confinement but as tools of playful self-reinvention.   

About the Gallery
Icicle Arts Gallery is a program of Icicle Arts, North Central Washington’s arts alliance since 2004. To learn more, join as a member, and support the arts in the Wenatchee River Valley, visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278. Iicle Arts Gallery presents six solo shows per year and two special exhibits. For more information on the gallery, to submit a show application, and to view e-shows currently online visit iciclearts.org/gallery or call (509) 548-2278.

Icicle Prize in Songwriting Winners Announced

Beth Whitney, taken by Reed Carlson

Icicle Arts Festival 2010 featuring the Icicle Prize in Songwriting (sponsored by the Icicle Fund) took place September 10-12 in Leavenworth. 46 student and adult residents of Chelan, Douglas, Okanagon, and Grant counties submitted their original songs for the chance to win cash prizes and a performance opportunity.

Guest judges Andre Feriante (internationally-acclaimed flamenco guitar player / songwriter from Seattle), Dan Maher (host of NWPR’s “Inland Folk” from Pullman), Aimee Mell (choral director and Tacoma Arts Commissioner from Seattle), Andrew T. Miller (Sony Masterworks; Steinway artist from Milton), Linda Waterfall (music faculty at Cornish College of the Arts from Seattle), and Wes Weddell (host of Tumbleweed Music Festival from Seattle) gave feedback to performers throughout the live Main Stage performance which was attended by over 100 people from all over the state.

Judges rated each original song on originality, musicality, and style. Scores were added up at the conclusion to determine the winners: Beth Whitney of Leavenworth (first place), Brian McMahon of Leavenworth (second place), and Sandy Vaughn of Tonasket (third place). The audience cast their votes for an “Audience Choice” award, which went to Margee Peterson of Leavenworth.

Student winners were selected by a local panel of judges including Don Fox (Technical Director of the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee and Music Director of the Wenatchee Valley Appleaires from Wenatchee), Cindy Reitveldt (director of Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse from Peshastin), Chuck Egner (owner of Hi-Strung Music and director of the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival from Leavenworth), Anna Percival (Managing Director of Icicle Arts from Cashmere), and Dan Jackson (former director of Wenatchee High School choral’s program and Icicle Prize 2009 committee member from Leavenworth), and performed their songs at the conclusion of the event. Student winners were Chloe Grace Caemmerer of Leavenworth (first place), Marija Bosnar of Ephrata (second place), and Claire Seaman of Leavenworth (third place).

Icicle Arts Festival was made possible by a sponsorship from Icicle Fund and by member contributions. Visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278 to learn more or support the arts in North Central Washington by joining as a member.

Announcing Gallery E-Shows!

Icicle Arts Gallery is excited to present artwork online through MyArtSpace.com.  So far the current shows include local and regional artists Christopher Banks, Leonardo Lanzolla, Gretchen Rohde, Bryan S. Miller, Melissa Madsen, and Jennifer Hutzel.  The artwork is available to view and purchase online through Icicle Arts Gallery.  If you are an artist interested in showing your work, e-mail info@iciclearts.org to learn more or visit iciclearts.org to join!

Grasping at Shadows - paintings by Christopher Banks

Icicle Arts Gallery presents Grasping at Shadows featuring original paintings by Plain artist Christopher Banks. On display Thursday, July 22 through Sunday, September 5, the gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The gallery is located at Barn Beach Reserve (347 Division Street in Leavenworth), also home to the Upper Valley Museum. Christopher Banks' bold landscape paintings offer the viewer a strong contrast in color and value. His paintings, while based on "real" landscapes, offer up landscapes that are balanced with reality and fantasy. 

About the Artist
Artist Christopher Banks has spent much of his life steeped in a world of printed words. He has been a writer, poet, musician, graphic designer, publisher, a student of English literature, and a teacher of art and reading. A lifelong admirer and collector of art, Banks began to paint in 1999, with concentration on drawing and dry pastel painting and has studied with Washington-based artists Terry Furchgott, John Nolan, Drake Deknatel, and Susan Bennerstrom, among others. In 2003, Banks began to focus primarily on acrylic painting on canvas, and in recent years favors wood panels for their unique surface qualities. In 1994 Banks built a home on the river in Plain, and was, for 15 years, a weekender from Seattle. In 2009 he and his wife Sarah became year-round residents. “We appreciate the unspoiled, wild beauty of this area, and spend as much time as possible in exploration of it via foot, ski, and snowshoe,” says Banks, “it is a source of great inspiration to me, spiritually as well as artistically.”
To learn more about Christopher Banks and view his work, visit his online profile. 

About the Gallery
Icicle Arts Gallery presents six solo shows per year and two special exhibits. For more information on the gallery, or to submit a show application visit iciclearts.org/gallery.org or call (509) 548-2278. Icicle Arts programs are made possible by support from members like you. Members receive the monthly e-newsletter featuring local arts events, exclusive invitations to members-only events, and many other great benefits! Visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278 to learn more or join.

Call for Entries: The Icicle Prize in Songwriting

All of us at Icicle Arts are excited for our upcoming festival featuring the Icicle Prize in Songwriting (sponsored by the Icicle Fund), which takes place September 10-12.  Students and working musicians in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanagan Counties are invited to submit one original song of any style by the August 16 deadline. The student category includes students up to age 18 and offers the chance to win up to $300, plus a performance slot at the main stage event. The working musician category includes prizes starting at $100 and a grand prize of $1,000!  Ten finalists from this category will also perform at the main stage event in Leavenworth, Washington on Sunday, September 12 at 2:00PM at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort's Chapel Theater.  Audience members can cast their vote for their favorite performer in the "Audience Choice" award!  Tickets are $12 in advance ($14 at the door) and can be reserved now online or by calling (509) 548-2278.  Songwriters interested in entering may download an entry form.

Throughout the festival weekend there will be numerous music-related events taking place around Leavenworth.  On Friday, September 10, internationally acclaimed solo flamenco guitarist and Leavenworth favorite Andre Feriante will perform at Icicle Creek Music Center’s Canyon Wren Recital Hall. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, which you can reserve now online or by calling (509) 548-2278.

Additionally, a free “open mic” event, sponsored by Leavenworth Community Coffeehouse, will take place on Saturday, September 11, in downtown Leavenworth.  There will also be film screenings by 2009 Icicle Prize winners, and workshops in a variety of styles.

To learn more about the Icicle Arts Festival, please visit us at iciclearts.org, e-mail info@iciclearts.org, or call us at (509) 548-2278.  And remember - all of our programs are made possible by support from community members like you.  Please help us connect arts and community by joining as a member today!

-Jennifer Hutzel

Presenting Creative Mythologies by Leonardo Lanzolla

Icicle Arts Gallery presents Creative Mythologies, paintings by Seattle-based Italian artist Leonardo Lanzolla. On display now though July 18, the gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The gallery is located along with Barn Beach Reserve and the Upper Valley Museum.

Meet the Artist - This Friday!
Icicle Arts will host a free "Meet the Artist" reception at the gallery on Friday, June 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m with refreshments and local wines by Wedge Mountain Winery, Cascadia Winery, Icicle Ridge Winery, and Vin du Lac Winery. Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend. 

About the Artist
In 1958 Lanzolla was born in Torino, Italy and in 1977 received his diploma in communications from the Sommeiller Institute in Torino. He also studied theater at Torino University and frequented the Academy of Drama in Torino, receiving his diploma as a dramatic actor after three years.  In 1979 Lanzolla spent a year in army service before moving to Rome where he began to professionally act and paint as well.  He held his first fine art exhibit in Rome at “La Lucciola Gallery.”  For the next five years Lanzolla had several art shows in Italy and France.  Then, in 1985, he decided to move to the United States and exhibited his artwork in Los Angeles for a year.  Lanzolla then moved to Billings, Montana where he continued his art practice before settling in his current residence of Seattle with his wife Renee and their daughter Lucia.

Lanzolla describes his show at Icicle Arts as "a poetical visual navigation of my senses, using the energy of my experiences to explore life in a creative way in what I consider …my expressive visual perceptions…a core of suspended mythological dialogues with human heritage, civilization, nature, animals and religion; giving through colors, shaped forms and my painterly carving, a perception of passage through time, using as inner medium the 'nectar of my feelings.'" His process is derived from an Italian Renaissance technique called “Sgraffito” (paint carved on plaster)” but Lanzolla uses clay board instead. He uses tools, knives, and Asian or pottery bushes most often. Lanzolla is intrigued by human spiritual and physical changes through experience over time and has a desire to create visual overtures of artistic impact.

About the Gallery
Icicle Arts Gallery presents six solo shows per year and two special exhibits. For more information on the gallery, or to submit a show application visit iciclearts.org/gallery or call (509) 548-2278. Icicle Arts programs are made possible by support from members like you. Members receive the monthly e-newsletter featuring local arts events, exclusive invitations to members-only events, and many other great benefits! Visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278 to learn more or join.

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, May 13-16

Leavenworth's annual Spring Bird Fest starts this week, with many different arts and science activities and performances to choose from.  Below are the Icicle Arts related events happening throughout the festival:
*  Thursday, May 13, Float and Draw with Lori Aylesworth, sign up through leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

* Music, Magic, & Masterpieces on Friday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Barn Beach Reserve in Leavenworth. This spectacular showcase features After School Arts Program students, Cascade High School’s Dance Team, Steinway and Sony Masterworks artist Andrew T. Miller with Seattle-area musical theater artists Sandy Fedasch, Roy Wilson, John B. Cooper, Holly Chase, Emily Dale, and Haley Rathburn, and award-winning Seattle-area magician Bruce Meyers. Tickets are $10 general admission, and are available online or by calling (509) 548-2278. Proceeds benefit Icicle Arts’ After School Arts Program.  Support your kids' arts education - reserve your tickets now!

* May 7 to 28, Birds Take Flight – A Student Art Exhibit at Icicle Arts Gallery, gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Saturday, May 15:
* Free performances at the Gazebo, Noon to 3pm, featuring the Academy of Dance and Performing Arts, Mission Improv, The Magic of Bruce Meyers, and Edelweiss Dance Acadamie
* A Create Your Own Bird Whistle Workshop: This family-friendly workshop takes place at Barn Beach Reserve from Noon to 4pm in the sun room. $10 per person includes supplies. Maximum enrollment 30 people. Register now by calling (509) 548-2278 or e-mail info@iciclearts.org

* Sunday, May 16, Songbird Music & Dance Concert at Icicle Creek Music Center’s Canyon Wren Recital Hall at 2pm, featuring the Icicle Creek Piano Trio, Marlin Handbell Ringers, and local guest dancers. Tickets are $10 in advance – (509) 548-2278 or online, and $12 at the door, benefiting Bird Fest.

To learn more about Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, visit iciclearts.org and leavenworthspringbirdfest.com

Icicle Arts programs are made possible by support from members like you. Members receive the monthly e-newsletter featuring local arts events, exclusive invitations to members-only events, and many other great benefits. Visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 548-2278 to learn more or join.

Cherry Orchard Recap

Jan Johnston's production of The Cherry Orchard took a lot of hard work and time, but thanks to all the dedicated actors and crew, the show turned out great!  The play was funny at times and sad at others, but had a memorable impact on audiences.  It especially related well to the fruit orchard country we live in, even though Chekhov's play was written over 100 years ago and took place in Russia, where I didn't even realize they grew cherries!  Overall, the acting was exceptionally well done and the set design and costumes were very professional and realistic.  We appreciate everyone who attended and helped out during the course of the two weekends!  Here's the press from the Wenatchee World.
-Jennifer Hutzel

Earth Day Fair 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Leavenworth Community Earth Day Fair! There was a huge turnout and I think everyone had a great time.  Here are some pictures from yesterday's fun:

This Weekend: The Cherry Orchard

Inside The Cherry Orchard

Upcoming production The Cherry Orchard, presented by the Wenatchee Valley College Drama Department and Icicle Arts, premiers Friday, April 16.  This was the last play written by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and originally premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre on January 17, 1904, just seven months before he passed away due to illness.

The Cherry Orchard, directed by Leavenworth resident and WVC drama faculty Jan Johnston, includes local college students and members of the community alike. Featured actor and Leavenworth resident Jeanine Salter, who has been extensively involved with Leavenworth Summer Theater (acting and directing) since 1997, will play Madame Ranevsky. Salter’s directing credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Showboat, The Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate, A Christmas Carol, and most recently, The Pirates of Penzance.  A few of her stand-out performance roles with LST include: Golde (the Momma) in Fiddler on the Roof, Gretchen in The Student Prince, and the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. Jeanine has also been active in other theaters here in the Upper Valley, performing in Apple Blossom Musicals as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Jack’s mom in Into the Woods, and most recently, Penny Sycamore in You Cant Take it With You with Music Theater of Wenatchee. Jeanine achieved her BFA in the professional actors training studio at the University of Illinois and performed in Chicago and Sacramento before making the Pacific Northwest her home.

Another Leavenworth resident, David Brameld, who also has experience in many Leavenworth Summer Theater productions including Kiss Me Kate and A Christmas Carol, will portray Leonid Gayef, the sister of Madame Ranevsky. These two characters are joint owners of the Ranevsky country estate and cherry orchard in Russia, which is the setting for the play.

Icicle Arts and WVC Drama Department present The Cherry Orchard, on April 23 and 24 at 8:00 p.m. at the Campus Theater at Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults, available only at the door.   
-Jennifer Hutzel

Looking Good!

Our office renovation is almost complete!  The new room has been painted, along with the outside and surrounding walls.  The bathroom renovation, which involves new vanity and light fixtures is now in process. The sink has been installed and tested and one of the walls is now orange!

Icicle Arts & WVC Drama Dept Present "The Cherry Orchard"

Icicle Arts and Wenatchee Valley College’s Drama Department are pleased to present “The Cherry Orchard,” on April 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 8:00 p.m. Performances take place at the Campus Theater at Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth Street. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults, available only at the door.

Anton Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” originally written as a comedy, deals with the serious themes of personal relationships as well as the changing class and economic structures in pre-revolution Russia. The wonderfully complex characters grapple with these issues to create a humorous yet haunting masterwork. Their struggle to save the cherry orchard from the axe will be a familiar one to residents in the Wenatchee Valley.

Icicle Arts and Wenatchee Valley College’s production of “The Cherry Orchard” is directed by Leavenworth resident and Wenatchee Valley College drama chair Jan Johnston. Before moving to Leavenworth in 2000, Johnston spent 30 years working in theater. She taught at Northwestern University of Louisiana, Southern Illinois University, and University of Washington, as well as working professionally as a costume designer and makeup artist. She has directed and designed costumes for Leavenworth Summer Theater, and will be directing their upcoming production of “The Sound of Music.” It has been a long-time goal of Johnston’s to present “The Cherry Orchard” to our community as the themes of this masterwork ring true to many of us in this economically-challenging time. With generous sponsorship from Icicle Arts and Wenatchee Valley College, this dream has become a reality.

Wenatchee Valley actors Jeanine and Kent Salter, Maren Cagle, David Harvill, David Brameld, Nellie Fishburn, Ken Sinko, Issac and Zeke Reister, Ted Fredericks, Mandi Wickline, Mary Resk, Maynard Johnson, and Bo Davis complete the all-star cast of this classic play.

Icicle Arts programs are made possible by support from members like you. Members receive the monthly e-newsletter featuring local arts events, exclusive invitations to members-only events, and many other great benefits! Visit iciclearts.org or call (509) 668-4663 to learn more or join.

Work in Progress

The new construction project is coming along well and the walls are now officially up.  The office is a bit dusty and messy but we are still here!  The next step is a door, windows, and some paint and we'll be good to go.

Construction is Underway!

These are some photos from our new renovation project at Icicle Arts which is going on this week.  There will soon be a private office space for Managing Director Anna James Percival inside our administrative office. The walls are going up quickly and we are all very excited watching it come together!

-Jennifer Hutzel

Recycled Art Collection: Call For Entries

Icicle Arts and Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort are pleased to present the 2010 Recycled Art Collection, now open to entries.  Ten selected pieces of original, one-of-a-kind artwork made by local student and professional artists will be on display.  The only requirement is that all work must be made using recycled materials.  Be as creative as you want!

This juried exhibition will be installed by Icicle Arts on the Sleeping Lady grounds.  This event is free and will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. Saturday, April 17 until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Reserve overnight packages at sleepinglady.com or 800-574-2123. 

Entries are due by March 31.  For more information and to enter, download an application form now or visit iciclearts.org.

All Things Scottish

Join Icicle Arts for a Traditional Scottish Ceilidh on Saturday, February 27 at 6pm. There will be a potluck, music, dancing, and more!  A donation of $10 is suggested to benefit Icicle Arts' After School Arts Program.  Space is limited so make reservations now by calling (509) 668-4663 or e-mail info@iciclearts.org.
To get you started, here are some of my favorite Scottish delicacies:
Millionaire's Bars (Caramel Shortbread)
Oat Scones
Scottish Pasties
Vegetarian Haggis
Oatcakes
Sticky Toffee Pudding (I'll be making this one!)
Clapshot (Neeps and Tatties)
And here are some Scottish/Gaelic songs I recommend:
Tiree Love Song
Gay Gordons
The Balkan Hills
Wild Mountain Thyme
I'll Tell Me Ma
Barbara Allen


-Jennifer Hutzel

Connections... by Lori Aylesworth

     Our current gallery show is absolutely stunning. Lori Aylesworth is by far one of our most talented Leavenworth-based painters. Her paintings really express a fabulous sense of light and almost dream-like representation of local scenes and animals. I've already sold many of her prints to visitors of the gallery, and am looking forward to hosting our "meet the artist" reception this Friday where Lori will have the chance to talk to our patrons about her lovely work. You can learn more about the artist at her website. For anyone that's in our area (or planning to be) Lori's work will be up through the end of February, I really hope you will come check it out!

-Anna James Percival, Managing Director

Icicle Arts Festival Slideshow

Here are some photos from last year's festival!

This year's Icicle Arts Festival will be held the second weekend in September and feature music, art, and dance from around the world, including ABC-Tokyo ballet company and Trio Globo music group.  There will also be a number of different workshops in Leavenworth and Wenatchee.  Find out more on our website.

-Jennifer Hutzel

Happy Students

What fun to see our new after school arts program kicking off! We had a great time during our first week, and had a few last-minute signups which is also very encouraging. Kathryn Stevens from the Wenatchee World did an amazing article and video on the Wenatchee World website, we are so grateful for the publicity! Reed A. Carlson of Icicle Valley Photography was onsite shooting photos for us (shown below). I'm looking forward to seeing where our kids' creativity will take them next!

-Anna James Percival, Managing Director

Learning Through Art

Managing Director Anna James Percival, who joined Icicle Arts in April 2009, has been performing and teaching dance and working in the arts for over ten years.  After learning that the arts programs in local schools were being cut back, Ms. Percival wanted to find a way to provide an arts education to the affected students.  Now, with a new program underway, she is glad to be expanding Icicle Arts’ outreach efforts.

Icicle Arts’ new after school arts program (called A.S.A.P. for short) began this week in Leavenworth.  A.S.A.P. is designed to promote the arts through education and foster awareness and enjoyment for all forms of art.  Students will benefit from development of their imagination and judgment, as well as their ability to focus.  Arts education programs like A.S.A.P. have been shown to improve self-esteem, communication, and public speaking skills.  The program allows students to have a fulfilling after-school experience with hands-on arts education.  A.S.A.P. will provide high quality art classes taught by carefully screened local and guest artists. A wide variety of art forms will be included, such as dance, ceramics, music, drawing, collage, jewelry design, painting, sculpture, creative writing, photography, and theater.  During Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, students will have the opportunity to present their work with a performance at Barn Beach Reserve and an art show at Icicle Arts Gallery.

A.S.A.P. Program Coordinator, Castilia Cava, has significant experience teaching children throughout the Wenatchee Valley.  She is fluent in Spanish and has worked as a Bilingual Para Educator, Daycare Assistant/Art Coordinator, and Art Teacher at Cashmere Middle and High Schools.  Ms. Cava has also worked for the Wenatchee After-School Daycare Program and as the Royal Family Kids Camp Arts & Crafts Coordinator.  She is pleased to be working with Icicle Arts to help create and facilitate the new program.

A.S.A.P. is being held in Leavenworth at Osborn School (in connection with their After School Program) and at Barn Beach Reserve, as well as in Cashmere at the United Methodist Church.  A.S.A.P takes place Monday and Tuesday afternoons every week.  The program will run from January to June, consisting of one 12-week session and one 10-week session.  The first level of the program is for Elementary students and the second level is for Middle and High School students. 

To learn more, or to register, visit iciclearts.org, or call Icicle Arts at (509) 668-4663.

-Jennifer G. Hutzel