The Arts Are Alive and Growing in Woodinville

We all know that Woodinville draws wineries and wine-curious tourists. But did you know the city is increasingly a home for artists and the resulting visitors who come to see their work, as well as arts-related events?

Woodinville’s reputation as a wine lovers destination, as well as a place where the finer things are celebrated, makes it a natural spot for artists to create and display their creations.

You could spend almost three months tripping on a different winery every day. But as recently as four years ago, finding a regular meeting place for artists would have been like finding a parking spot close to the store on a weekend jaunt to Costco.

All of that changed thanks to Barbara Kelson and her dogged determination to advance the quality and availability of art and art education, as well as to support, promote and foster an appreciation of the arts.

Today, Kelson’s creation and the focal point of the city’s art scene is the Sammamish Valley Arts Center, located in the eye-pleasing Apple Farm Village specialty retail shopping center located in the heart of the Woodinville Tourist District on 148th Avenue Northeast. The buildings themselves were lovingly restored after being moved on flatbed trucks from a previous location in Woodinville.

“There are a ton of artists in Woodinville,” said Kelson, who purchased the Apple Farm location in 1994. “Some of them are really good ones. They’ve told me about that they never really had a place to meet, no galleries where they could show their art.”

The arts association, which counts about 40 members, is centered at Gallery 113, a space located within Apple Farm Village. One of the most popular events at Gallery 113 is a weekly open studio, on Wednesdays, where artists paint and draw a live, clothed model. All models are volunteers. The session is three hours, and artists of all ages and experience may participate. The cost is $12, with a $2 discount for members. The public is invited to watch the artists for free.

At a recent session, Kelson sketched modeled Jan Roberts, as did three other participants: Ann Moore, Laura Grover and Eden Hopkins. Pop-rock radio provided a musical background. “It’s all part of providing opportunities for artists in Woodinville,” Kelson said. “It wasn’t going to happen just waiting for someone to do it.”

Kelson is an artist who displays and sells her work under the name B.J. Kjeldsen. She works in watercolor and egg tempera, focusing on old buildings, wetlands and rural landscapes. “My hope is that I can capture a sense of what it was like in simpler times,” she said, “when neighbors could take the time to get to know one another, children could play outside without fear, and there was time to reflect upon one’s accomplishments at the end of the day.”

Kelson also has another goal: “I hope,” she said, “that the viewer of my paintings will see what is being lost and take a stand to save what little is left of our beautiful, disappearing countryside and buildings before it’s too late.”

Here are just a few of the activities that the Sammamish Valley Arts Center offers:

Hollywood Art Walk: The monthly event, held on the fourth Thursday of each month in Woodinville’s Hollywood District, is a free, self-guided walking tour of artwork displays showcasing the creative works of established and emerging artists.

Art classes and workshops: Experienced artists are on hand for sessions that are open to the public.

Art salon discussion and wine tasting: Artists and non-artists meet to learn about and discuss art-related topics. There are also “blind” wine tastings.

Art walk in Woodinville wine country: The public is invited to meet artists as they exhibit their art at various locations.

En plein air painting: During the summer, the Sammamish Valley Arts Center arranges outings for artists to paint outside at various private estates near Woodinville, Redmond and Bothell.

Annual artists’ studio tour: In mid-April, artists open their studios to the public.