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: