Local Art on Display

Carco Theatre, adjacent to the Renton Community Center, is located at 1717 Maple Valley Highway at the intersection of I-405 and Maple Valley Highway. Please contact the theatre for viewing times at 425-430-6706.

May 20 – June 28, 2013 

DAVID GODWIN – Photography

David moved Seattle area a decade ago and states, “It is just a fantastic place to live and it’s filled with lots of wonderful places to visit and photograph. I began my hobby of photography about 5 years ago. Since that time I have been hooked and I really enjoy being outdoors with my camera. My main focus and real passion is nature, wildlife and landscape photography. My goal in photography is to capture the beauty that surrounds us and it gives me great pleasure to be able to share those special moments with others.”

July 1 – Aug 9, 2013

CHERYL RENEE LONG – Water Color

“My father was an early naturalist/photographer and an avid birder. My mother is a textile artist. Both influenced me profoundly.  My goal as I paint is to share my deep connection with nature with those who see and purchase my art. My hope for my students and patrons is to offer them my view of joy and life through my art."

Mark your calendar for future exhibits:

BETH BETKER – Oil Painting, 8/26 - 10/4

Artist TBD, 10/7 – 11/15

CHRISTINA STRIGENZ – Mixed Media, 11/18 - 12/27

Spotlight on Arts at IKEA Renton River Days

Celebrate the Renton community on Friday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28 and check out multiple opportunities to enjoy arts & culture.  Stop by the Arts Commission booth to learn more about what's happening in Renton.  Check out The Art Market at Liberty Park with over 75 vendors. Enjoy the Cedar River Quilters Guild Exhibition at the Renton Library.  Enjoy live music and dance.  Create arts & crafts at community booths.

Renton Annual Art Show
The Renton Annual Art Show is an exhibit of work by outstanding Northwest artists on Friday, July 26 & Saturday, July 27 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, July 28 from Noon to 5 pm. The show is juried by recognized professional artists, art educators and knowledgeable art collectors. The show is funded by organizations, businesses and individuals interested in the success and production of one of the Northwest's most discriminating art shows. 

Registration will be on Sunday, July 21 from 11 am to 4 pm.  There are three divisions in the show: Main Show, Student and Little Gallery. All work shown is original, current and of artistic merit. All work is for sale. RAAS takes a 30% commission on each piece sold. 

As a compliment to the paintings and prints, RAAS invites several craft artists to exhibit their work as Invitational Artists. These items are also for sale. The Renton Annual Art Show ensures purchasers of excellent quality at affordable prices.

Allied Arts Chalk Art Contest

Allied Arts of Renton presents the 17th Annual Chalk Art Contest, on Saturday, July 27 on the tennis courts. Participation is free, all chalk supplies provided free of charge. Sign up begins at noon and all drawings must be completed by 3 pm. Awards announced at 4 pm. Cash prizes and gift certificates will be presented in several categories: Professional, Adult (age 13 and up), and Junior (age 10 to 13). Prizes for Barbara Nilson’s People’s choice in Adult and Jr. categories. For further information, contact Vicki Navarro at 425-652-1236 or Sonja Kyes at 425.226.4315. 

Public Art Spotlight

Chief Sealth by James A. Wehn. is a bronze-finished drinking fountain located just north of the Renton History Museum, 235 Mill Ave S. Affectionately known as "Iron Mike," the piece was donated to the City by volunteer firefighters in 1910.

James A. Wehn (also known as A. Wehn) was a very prolific and recognized artist in the Northwest from the early 1900s until his death in 1973 at age 90. At age 24, he won the commission to produce the first known piece of municipal art for the City of Seattle. They had originally envisioned a statue of the Roman god Mercury, but Wehn convinced them that a statue of Chief Sealth was more appropriate. He modeled the statue after consulting the only surviving portrait of Chief Sealth done in 1864 by E.A. Sammis (Seattle’s first known photographer), and a native American skull that he borrowed from a museum.

Between 1905 and 1915, he produced four bronze busts of Chief Sealth, as studies for the full length statue commissioned by the City of Seattle. The four busts are now located in Renton, Seattle’s Pioneer Square, Seattle University, and Yakima at the Washington Historical Society museum. The full length statue is in Tillicum Place Park. 

Sealth, Seathle, Seathl, or See-ahth. A prominent figure among his people, he pursued a path of accommodation to white settlers, forming a personal relationship with David Swinson "Doc" Maynard Chief Seattle (an Anglicization of Si'ahl. The city of Seattle was named after him. 

Si’ahl was born around 1780 on or near Blake Island, Washington. Si'ahl inherited his position as chief of the Dkhw’Duw’Absh or Suquamish Tribe from his maternal uncle. He earned his reputation at a young age as a leader and a warrior, ambushing and defeating groups of enemy raiders coming up the Green River from the Cascade foothills. He was tall and broad for a Puget Sound native at nearly six feet; Hudson's Bay Company traders gave him the nickname Le Gros (The Big One). He was also known as an orator; and when he addressed an audience, his voice is said to have carried from his camp to a distance of 3/4 of a mile.

Shout Outs for Arts & Culture!

• Hazen High School senior Jose Lins recently received the highest national honor available in the jewelry industry by placing first in the Saul Bell Emerging Artist Awards competition, which was part JCK international jewelry convention held in Las Vegas.
• Students from the Secondary Learning Center’s Culinary Arts Program recently placed 2nd in their first-ever countywide skills competition at Renton Technical College. 
• Arts Commissioner Ben Andrews was selected as one of four "Fly Filmmakers" for SIFF's challenge to create films inspired by 2012 Artist Trust Fellows.

Make Art Happen in Renton grants

The Renton Municipal Arts Commission is offering grants up to $250 to help support arts & culture activities in Renton.

Renton Civic Theatre productions

Through June 29
"What Happened on the Way to the Forum," 
July 26 - July 28

Summer Teen Musical "Legally Blonde" 

Wednesdays, July 11 - August 15, 7 pm

Kidd Valley Summer Concert Series at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is a free family fun event.

Friday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28

Discover all that  Renton River Days has to offer.  Read more in the right column.

Saturday, August 24, 11 am - 5 pm

Downtown Art & Antique Walk returns to Renton.  Stroll the streets of Downtown to enjoy artwork of all mediums from local artists and rediscover Downtown businesses. For more information, visit ArtsUnlimited.org.

Saturday, August 24

You're invited to participate in the high-visibility art project "Infinity Loop Project"! Artist Kristin Schimik created a site-specific installation and performance at the Renton Mine Hoist Foundation Historic Preservation Site, which is a big block of concrete that sits just south of City Hall, between Benson Road and the South I-405 Talbot offramp. Stop by on Saturday to experience the performance and feel connected to Renton's history, present and future..

September 19

Fall Arts Equinox is a free bi-annual event to celebrate, network and learn more about arts & culture in Renton.  More details by August.

October 

Take part in the 6th Annual Renton FilmFrenzy 50-hour film competition. Registration begins September 1.  Filmming weekend October 4 - 6.  All film screenings October 19.  Curvees Award Gala October 22.

Call for Volunteers!

Volunteers needed to help create art! 

The Renton Municipal Arts Commission and Renton History Museum are collaborating with artist Kristin Schimik to create an temporary art piece at the Historic Mine Hoist in Renton.  Volunteers will help create black adobe clay for a tower and help recycle red clay for a large walking path.  

We need help with mixing clay at the Pottery Northwest studio near the Seattle Center from now through July.  Additional volunteers are needed in the beginning of August to help form hundreds of clay balls at the Mine Hoist site (behind Sam’s Club on Benson Ave).  Contact Kristin Schimik at kristin.schimik@gmail.com for more details.

4Culture is seeking four new members for its Board of Directors 

King County residents interested in public service and with knowledge of and interest in the areas of arts, heritage, preservation or public art are invited to apply for one of four positions on the 4Culture Board of Directors. If selected and confirmed by the King County Council, Board members serve a maximum of two three-year terms.

4Culture, the cultural services agency for King County, Washington is committed to making our region stronger by supporting citizens and groups who preserve our shared heritage, and create arts and cultural opportunities for residents and visitors. For questions please email or telephone Melissa Newbill at 206-296-4816.  

Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) lights up Renton

Renton hotsted the Seattle International Film Festival for the the third consecutive year in May.  Renton is a venue for the prestigious event which has earned a reputation as being one of the foremost film festivals in the world. The screenings kicked off on Thursday, May 23 as noted local filmmaker Lynn Shelton's film 'Touchy Feely' was premiered at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Festival to a full house of eager cinephiles. Ms. Shelton then spent the evening carousing with fans at an after party which has become a noted bright spot for the festival organizers. The screening was opened with the winning film of last year's Renton based 50-hour Film Frenzy competition, adding a bit of home flavor to the festivities. 
A total of nineteen films were screened over a seven day period, with attendance establishing viewership records.