What’s Happening!

Elements of Nature – Mike Middlestead and Julie Senf – September 2024

Meet the Artists – Sequim Art Walk – Friday, September 6 from 5-8pm

Writers Read – Wednesday, September 11th from 2-3pm

An Artist Cooperative Gallery

The Blue Whole Gallery has been in the heart of downtown Sequim, Washington for over 25 years and has been recognized as a regional fine art center. The gallery displays art work from over 25 local artists with expertise in oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, digital artistry, ceramics, glass, wood, jewelry and more. Our artists are dedicated to our award-winning gallery where we exhibit and sell our artwork as well as engage with the vibrant arts community in our area. We always have something new and exciting to discover. Our main gallery is re-hung every four weeks to coincide with Sequim’s monthly First Friday Art Walks. Works created by our members are as varied and invigorating as the natural splendor of the Olympic Peninsula. We are also a cooperative gallery and self-organized. Members supply artwork to the gallery as well as work in the gallery on a regular basis completing the duties needed for the day-to-day operations of the gallery as well as special functions and projects. The name of the gallery comes from a term pilots use to describe the “blue hole” in the skies above Sequim, which contrasts with the normally cloudy Pacific Northwest. The hole in the clouds was changed to whole to convey the concept of wholeness in terms of the overall diversity of media and styles represented in our gallery.

Current  Exhibition- Elements of Nature

Mike Middlestead and Julie Senf – September 2024 Blue Whole Gallery will start the fall season off with a new show entitled Elements of Nature.  The show features two well known local artists, Julie Senf and Mike Middlestead.  Both artists work is informed by their relationship to the beauty of the North Olympic Peninsula and it’s people.  Julie has lived here for more than 40 years.  Mike retired here after 25 years in the Coast Guard. Julie is a watercolorist displaying her love of the Peninsula’s natural beauty in her paintings.  Years ago, after she began drawing and painting, she realized her fascination with the diversity of this area.  “I’ve come to realize what I enjoy capturing most with my paints is this amazing area and it’s natural beauty” says Julie.  From Cape Flattery, to the top of Storm King, to the leaves falling from the trees, Julie paints it all. One has only to look at Mike’s work to know he is captivated by the world around him.  He found his way to ceramics after he retired and was taking an Into to Art class in college.  He found clay and hasn’t looked back.  His work is diverse and displays his love for the water.  He has created everything from a life size Raku king salmon to barnacle encrusted vases.  “I love this medium!” states Middlestead.  “I am always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with clay, always with a focus on the environment, especially the water.” The public is invited to meet the artists and see their work Friday September 5^th  from 5-8pm and to “come explore and walk together with us as we bring you the Elements of Nature from our Olympic Peninsula.”

Julia Baeder – September Student of the Month

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The Blue Whole Gallery has chosen Julia Baeder as the August Student of the Month. Julia is 19 years old and has been doing ceramics for almost a year. She shared, “I really enjoy creating pieces that represent different animals in nature, as well as pieces that have a lot of texture.”  Join us in celebrating Julia’s ceramics as she continues to grow as an artist. You can view her artwork in the the gallery during the month of August.

Gallery Hours

Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Sundays 11am – 3pm

129 W. Washington St. Sequim, WA 98382

360-681-6033

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