Discover Walla Walla
Secrets and Surprises from Our Corner of the World
Tag >> Art
Posted by: Jim Willis in Art on
Oct 07, 2011
 If you appreciate sculptures, Walla Walla is an ideal destination. Between Downtown Walla Walla, Whitman College, Walla Walla University, Walla Walla Community College and Walla Walla public parks there are over 50 commissioned sculptures in public view. The area also boasts two fine art foundries: Walla Walla Foundry in Walla Walla and the Old School Bronze Fine Art Foundry just south of Walla Walla in Umapine, Oregon. In addition to sculptures and foundries there are the artistic decorations of the historic buildings, classic Victorian homes, picturesque churches and historic schools.
There is a tremendous variety in the public sculptures. Some are of the historic icon variety. Then there are the abstract pieces. However, my favorites are the whimsical. You will have to take them as they come because they are not segregated - examples of the whimsical, historic and abstract may be within sight of one another. If you are into taking a serious sculpture tour, including a fine art foundry or two, plan on spending more than part of a day.
To check out the public sculpture scene:
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Music, Culture, Art on
Dec 20, 2010
 As the crowd hummed with excitement, moments before the wine colored curtain of Cordiner Hall lifted, it was strikingly apparent that this was not just another Symphony event in Walla Walla. The bi-annual production of the Nutcracker Suite by the Walla Walla Orchestra and the Eugene Ballet far transcends the parameters of a night at the symphony.
It is a night that is cherished by families throughout the community, for it is a Christmas tradition. At the Walla Walla Nutcracker performance, instead of limos arriving with well dressed couples, vans doors slide open as every member of the family from grandparents to great grandchildren spill out in their Sunday best. Groups of 8 or 10 enter together, with the little ones trying to scurry ahead in their excitement. The Nutcracker Suite is a night for elders to savor the music and dance that has brightened their holiday season for a lifetime while relaying to their young descendants the first time they saw the Nutcracker. Little girls, some only three years old, romping in their holiday dresses, squirmed in their seats and asked a million questions about "what was this and what was that?"
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Events, Art on
Aug 23, 2010
 Sitting midway up the grandstands, the open stage and the backdrop of trees and the Blue Mountains before me, a balmy day having turned into a comfortable night, I couldn't imagine being in a better place at that moment than the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater readying to see the Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of "Much Ado About Nothing."
It was the final performance of Shakespeare Uncork'd, a young annual event in its third year. Many of the patrons had consumed gumbo, salad, a tasty dessert and a glass of wine in preparation for taking in the classic comedy. The Seattle Company decided that its adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy would be set in the Louisiana Bayou. A rather sparse arrangement of a door sandwiched by two Victorian columns, two small white tents, a clothesline, several wicker chairs and a bench, sat in the center of the concrete stage. The production began with a burst of energy that it would maintain throughout. The opening scene started with much of the cast singing the old Mardi gras anthem "Iko Iko" accompanied by an accordion and guitar. Tonight's version of "Much Ado" stayed true to the plays original storyline, outside of references to the Bayou setting and modern interpretations of the old Bard's lines. The success of "Much Ado" always seems to hinge on the performances of the two players portraying Benedict and Beatrice - Benedict the fast quipping independent and garrulous right hand man of Prince Don Pedro, and Beatrice, the quick tongued, stubborn and ,also, independent thinking daughter of Leonardo.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Wine, Art on
Jun 21, 2010
 Sinclair Estate Vineyards recently held its grand opening for its downtown tasting room with not only a nice party and pouring of wine, but also, an art show featuring the work of Edmonds, WA artist Andy Eccleshall (Ek-ul-shail).
Eccleshall was born and raised in the U.K. before crossing the pond 16 years ago to ply his trade in the Puget Sound area. He has made a name for himself as a mural artist; you can see his work at the Sinclair's Bed & Breakfast, Vine and Roses, as he has painted beautiful tapestries in each suite.
But his true love is painting what he calls atmospherics. His definition: unusual contrasts in light created by the atmosphere. Eccleshall is particularly drawn to dramatic scenes as many of his paintings include big thunderhead clouds, but he also enjoys softer light content such as a misty morning. In both cases, he says his goal is to capture the power or softness of the natural light.
Eccleshall developed his love for portraying atmospheric light in his early teens as he soaked up the October days in England. He says that light from the England sky possesses a crispness unrivaled and that he became endeared to the light occurring just after the sun had fallen below the horizon, for it lit up the clouds with its powerful blast.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Art on
May 10, 2010
 "Into The Woods", which just finished its opening weekend at The Little Theater, is a fast paced, although not short, Steven Sondheim and James Lapine musical that uses just about every fairy tale in the satchel to touch on just about every facet of life. The large cast and production crew of the Little Theater give a commendable performance, especially considering the complexity of the lyrics, staging, and props.
The singing is demanding as much of the narrative is injected into the lyrics and actors are constantly alternating from speaking to singing their lines in addition to the numerous conventional musical numbers imbedded in the play.
"Into the Woods" centers on the journey of a baker and his wife who conduct a scavenger hunt in hopes of ridding a witch's spell that forbids them from having a natural born child. I use the word "centers" loosely as we are witness to the journeys of many other characters, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stock, Rapunzel; you name it, and they're in the woods. The barren couple must find four items for the witch's potion: a cape as red as blood; a slipper as pure as gold - I think you're getting the idea --, a lock of hair as gold as an ear of corn and a cow as white as milk (that's owned by Jack); the play taking some liberty with the characters.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Art on
Nov 16, 2009
 "Romeo and Juliet", William Shakespeare's love story for the ages, has been modernized countless times, each director trying to put it into a context that hopefully provides new meaning to the simple but heart wrenching tale that has been the standard for love stories ever since the old bard brought it to the stage.
Whitman College's modernization of "R & J", which just finished its run at Harper Joy Theatre, utilized an urban setting of modern culture mingling with themes from "West Side Story." The prominent part of the set consisted mostly of a cold city street with concrete walls, ramps and porches; even Juliet's window tower was grey concrete. And the fight scenes between the Montagues and the Capulets involved switch blades and the darting, almost dancing choreography reminiscent of "West Side."
The Capulet boys wore tight white short-sleeved dress shirts rolled up to show their biceps, accented with solid black ties, grey cargo pants and black boots. Father Capulet wore a dashing tailored suit and the women sprightly colored dresses circa the early 60's. Paris was portrayed as a preppie who could have walked right off the Princeton campus yesterday.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Music, Culture, Art on
May 25, 2009
 The flourishing Wine Industry of the Walla Walla Valley is shining brightly on the national and international stage at present . . . and well it should.
But much more established and flourishing just as well is the vibrant and diversified Performing Arts Community of this same valley. Even when the area's identity was one of solely agriculture and related industries, the community possessed a unique passion for the arts, the performing arts in particular.
Local theatre has always been a mainstay along with the longest running symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi - yes, L.A. Philharmonic fans, eat your hearts out! Music, be it blues, jazz, symphonic, barbershop quartet, folk or progressive, cutting edge rock can be found around every corner.
Thus, as a lover of the performing arts and a connoisseur of the Walla Walla Valley's rare fare, I relish the opportunity in the months to come to share with you the different experiences a performing arts fan can have in this wonderful valley that not only runs rich with wine but also arts and culture.
 It's a feast for all the senses! It's a party in a tent!
2008 was the first year for Feast Walla Walla and as one of the 600 attendees, I am here to say - - it was great! And here we are again with Feast Walla Walla 2009 just around the corner, Saturday April 11 from 1-4 pm.
Feast Walla Walla is a celebration of Walla Walla's food, wine and art and it all happens in a tent located at historical downtown Walla Walla on First Avenue and Main Street. It's a wonderful opportunity for locals and tourists to experience what Walla Walla is known for - food, wine and art. Besides entrance with the ticket price, we were given 10 tokens to be used towards food and wine, an etched wine glass commemorating the event and a souvenir plate to hold our "feast."
Posted by: Michael Davidson in Wine, Food, Art on
Feb 15, 2009
Thanks for visiting the new Discover Walla Walla blog from Tourism Walla Walla. You'll be hearing from a variety of knowledgeable locals about our best food and wine, incredible bike trails, the newest art galleries, cultural happenings, and other insider insight. We hope you enjoy these secrets and surprises from our corner of the world. See you around! ~ Michael Davidson
Tourism Walla Walla
http://www.wallawalla.org/
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