CALL FOR ENTRIES — WIN $500 DOLLARS IN 2015 PROCTOR ARTS FEST POSTER CONTEST

As I write this, the rain clouds have parted, at least temporarily, and I'm dreaming of the summer that will eventually come and the 2015 Proctor Arts Fest, held on the first Saturday of August each year, in Tacoma's Proctor Business District. In 2015, the date will be Aug. 1. 

The colorful salmon image above, created by artist Janet Stiles, was last year's winner in the annual poster contest to promote this popular event. Maybe this time next year, I'll be writing another blog post showing YOUR design. All artists are eligible, not just those in Tacoma, although the policy now is that previous winners may not enter again.

Being featured on Good Life Northwest would only be a minor bit of glory compared with having your image spread around on billboards, posters, T-shirts, and other possible media. Imagine the thrill of winning a $500 purchase award and bringing widespread attention to your talents. 

For complete information on this contest, please click here. Entries must be submitted by April 15, 2015, so get busy creating your own unique design that reflects the spirit of a summer arts festival. (My advice? think SUN! We need some.) Good luck.

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NEWS FLASH! ALYSE BLACK with NATALIE GELMAN at the TRIPLE DOOR in Seattle on Wednesday

Natalie Gelman 

I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing the acclaimed Alyse Black live, so why am I promoting her show this Wednesday night, August 6, at the Triple Door in Seattle, with Natalie Gelman opening? Of course I know it will be good, just based on videos and credentials, (read more here) but there's another reason.

If anyone reading this happened to be at the Chalet Bowl Stage at the Proctor Arts Fest in Tacoma between 4:15 p.m and 5:30 p.m. last Saturday, Aug. 2, you know why I want to spread the word about Natalie Gelman. I managed that stage, for the third year in a row, and saw a phenomenon. By late afternoon on a hot day, many festival goers are tired and starting to drift away. It can be a struggle for performers in that time slot, but it certainly was not for the young singer/songwriter I'd hired. Natalie attracted, and held, the largest audience the Chalet Bowl Stage has ever seen during the last set. That audience included not only those seated, but also people who stood outside the tent until the very end at 5:30. Then they wanted more. They didn't want her to stop singing. 

So who is Natalie Gelman? She is a great talent, a beautiful young woman with a beautiful old soul, whose original lyrics and haunting voice can mesmerize people of all ages. Not only that, she was completely charming and natural. The audience fell in love with her. Here is a little bio from Natalie's website: 

"This street performing NYC troubadour has won over hearts across the country with her music, soulful voice, and dynamic songwriting. Natalie Gelman has performed everywhere from a subway platform to Carnegie Hall, finding herself in national publications like the NY Times and Billboard magazine because of it. Often compared to Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell and Jewel, Natalie is an artist in her own right - called “Simply Terrific” by the NY Post and named the 'poster girl for the solo, storytelling singer/songwriter' by Music Connection Magazine."

If you can't make it to the Seattle show, click here for her schedule of upcoming shows through this weekend, in Snoqualmie, Port Townsend, Darrington, and Camas, in Washington State, followed by many more in Oregon. 

At the bottom of the schedule page, you can hear (and buy) Natalie's original song, "The Lion," one she performed at Proctor Arts Fest. Why not check it out? 

You will be glad you did. Her she is on You Tube.

Again, here's your link to the Triple Door Box Office. Don't miss this show.

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PROCTOR ARTS FEST IN TACOMA WILL DAZZLE CROWDS THIS WEEKEND

Any time is a good time to visit Tacoma's Proctor Business District, but this Saturday, August 3, the 18th annual Proctor Arts Fest will give an extra 10,000 people a great reason to make one of the city's most charming neighborhoods their destination. With the intersection of 26th and Proctor as it's hub, this delightful event spreads out to provide room for 160 vendors, three music stages, a demonstration area, and more. The fun takes place between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The Arts Fest committee has been meeting and planning for a year, all to provide another great experience for those who attend. Each festival surpasses the one before it.

"Come by to experience art in many different forms," said Nancy Frederick, who co-chairs the committee with Eugene Kester. "We have local musicians, a juried art show, a film festival, artists and crafts people selling their original works."

The juried art show represents 60 artists displaying 85 pieces. Kids activities and a demonstration area are other attractions. For a great slide show of the festival, by ZenDezignz, click here.

Kester added, "The Proctor Arts Fest is a family friendly community event celebrating the arts." 

Wouldn't you love to join the celebration? It's so easy to find. Here's a handy map.

Northwest Artists - Enter to WIN $500 in Proctor Arts Fest Poster Contest

Artwork by 2009 poster contest winner Janette Stiles 

Spring flowers are just starting to bloom here in the Northwest, but the Proctor Arts Fest Committee in Tacoma is already busy planning another delightful festival during the warm days of late summer. On August 2, 2014, this popular one-day community festival will take over the Proctor Business District once again. That means another poster with bright and beautiful artwork to catch the eye is needed to promote this event. The committee invites Pacific Northwest artists to submit entries in the annual poster contest. The deadline for entering is April 15, 2014.

Artwork by Andrea Greenfield, 2012 poster contest winner.

Entries must be original works reflecting the spirit of a summer arts festival and submitted on a CD. This year, the winning artist will receive a $500 purchase award, an increase over last year. Art in any medium is permitted, with the exception of computer generated art. You can download a pdf. containing all the official rules and contact information by clicking here. 

It might be March, and still rainy, but get out those paints, pastels, etc., and create your own summer sunshine. Even if you don't win, it will make you happy. On the other hand, you could win, and that could make you, well, maybe even happier! Good luck! While in the Proctor District, remember to stop by the Proctor Art Gallery on 26th. 

Let these five winning posters from past contests inspire you.

Artwork by Janette Stiles,  2010 winner.

Artwork by 2013 winner,  Maura Desinone

Artwork by 2011 poster contest winner Jeffry Sart

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THE OLY MOUNTAIN BOYS Thank Supportive Fans With Great Gifts -- Campaign Ends Wednesday

Photo courtesy of The Oly Mountain Boys

Bluegrass music found a home in the Pacific Northwest shortly after WWII, but decades later, a band called The Oly Mountain Boys is now giving this genre a uniquely Northwest flavor. They are: Tye Menser-lead vocals and banjo, Josh Grice-fiddle, Dereck McSwain-mandolin and vocals, Chris Rutledge-guitar and vocals, and Phil Post-bass, dobro, and vocals. This bluegrass band is boldly carving new paths through the world of bluegrass and the Northwest music scene. I contacted Josh Grice—who also plays violin with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra—to learn the latest news.

Although The Oly Mountain Boys love, and regularly perform, traditional bluegrass tunes by Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno, and others, they get raves for their original material as well. Grice pointed out that most bluegrass songs refer to places where it was first heard, like North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia, but by now, this music’s popularity has spread all over. They're creating a Northwest brand.

“We have the bluegrass instrumentation and inspiration, but we’re writing all our songs about a character from the Pacific Northwest,” Grice said. “We’re writing about Pacific Northwest landscapes. We’re writing about Pacific Northwest history. The music is all about that.” In other words, a wide audience can find plenty of ways to relate to the band’s great lyrics and storytelling style, whether or not they already love bluegrass. 

Since I first heard these musicians perform live, at the 2013 Proctor Arts Fest in Tacoma, momentum has continued to build. They gather fans as quickly as Earl Scruggs could pick a banjo. Those fans are rallying to support their current  Kickstarter campaign to finance a new concept album called “White Horse,” an exciting and innovative project that is more than just another CD. 

“We’re making it kind of multi-media,” Grice explained. “We have a bunch of writers who are contributing content that is going to get woven into a little booklet that comes with the CD. We have at least one visual artist that’s working on something. We’re kind of open to wherever it goes from there.” Referring to this concept album, Grice said, “It’s something that, as far as we know, no one’s ever done, and it’s about the place that we’re from.”

With the help of fans, they’ve covered the basic costs, but the campaign ends on Wednesday, March 12 and the hope is that enough will be raised to also cover hiring a promotion company. You still have time to help out. Contributing at even the starting level of $12 will reward you with a digital download of the CD, and contributions at higher levels range from an autographed CD, T-shirts, your name in the credits, house concert invitations, clear up to having the band play a live private concert at your own event. Have a look at the details yourself, right here.

As original and innovative as they are, The Oly Mountain Boys’ sound still gives you that down-home feeling, only this time, it’s about a home in the Northwest.  Check the website to see the locations of their many upcoming shows, then come meet the Northwest band making bluegrass music our region's own. 

UPCOMING SHOWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 21st, 9pm, $8/$6 student - Royal Lounge with HILLSTOMP!, Olympia WA.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29th, 10pm, $15/$12 advance - Olympia Acoustic Music Festival, Olympia WA.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12th, 7pm, $5 - Jeremy's Farm to Table, Chehalis WA.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26th, 9pm, $5 - AndyinOly Presents Artswalk with the Oly Mountain Boys & The Blackberry Bushes, Olympia WA. Details to come!

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AUG. 3 - PROCTOR ARTS FEST IN TACOMA

 

Summer is rushing by and today is the first day of August, but the good thing is that this also means the return of the Proctor Arts Fest in Tacoma. This Saturday, August 3, you can join in on the fun, centered around 26th and Proctor in north Tacoma, where the arts will be king for a day.





 

"I am totally excited about Proctor Arts Fest coming up this Saturday," said Nancy Frederick, co-chair of the festival committee. "I hope people will come out to Proctor to see some fantastic arts and crafts, hear some great music, and have a fun day. There's a lot happening!"

 

Beautiful yard art by Moss Studio

Enjoy live professional entertainment on four stages, with an exciting appearance on the Center Stage, by Merrilee Rush. 

This year, Dance Theatre Northwest joins the lineup on the Chalet Bowl Stage, which will also feature The Oly Mountain Boys, Kimball and the Fugitives with Stickshift Annie, The Summer Januaries, and the Mike Nelson Trio. 

View the beautiful entries in the juried art show. Bring the whole family to partake of children's activities, a dog parade, the Bite of Proctor food feature, and approximately 140 vendors who are selling beautiful arts and crafts, like this hummingbird garden decoration from Moss Studio Metal Art.  See you there!



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PROCTOR ARTS FEST COMMITTEE INVITES PIERCE COUNTY ARTISTS TO ENTER POSTER CONTEST

The Proctor Business District, in the north end of Tacoma, is known for its atmosphere of vitality and community spirit and its delightful summer Arts Fest, which will occur on Saturday, August 3 this year. Through an annual contest, some lucky Pierce County artist's poster design will be chosen to promote this event. The artist will win cash and plenty of publicity.

 

The winning poster for the Proctor Arts Fest 2012, painted by Andrea Greenfield

“The ProctorArts Fest Poster contest is a great way to show off your art,” said BonnieCargol, a member of the festival committee and an artist herself. “If your art is selected, you will not only win $300.00, but you will see it on the Arts Fest posters all over town, in the paper, and on a billboard in the ProctorBusiness District! How great is that?”

 

Here’s how great it is.

·         The winner will receive a $300 purchase award, the acceptance of which grants the Proctor Arts Fest Committee the right to reproduce the artwork ONLY for the purpose of promoting the event. The original art will remain the property of the artist.

·         The winning artist can display his or her artwork in the Proctor Art Gallery on the day of the festival and all through the week preceding it.

·         With the exceptions of photography and art generated by computer, any artistic medium will be accepted.

·         The winner’s artwork will be an important and highly visible part of a popular event that keeps gaining attendees and attention.

Trumpeter Lance Buller and his Combo dazzled crowds at the 2012 Arts Fest

 

The ProctorArts Fest, purposely planned for what is statistically the summer weekend least likely to have rain, has everything going for it—plenty to see, do, and enjoy.  Many of the region’s best artists and artisans of all kinds prioritize this event and reserve their spaces early. Live entertainment and tasty foods make for a day packed full of family fun. But even if you’ve never been to this event, you can use your imagination to create a piece of artwork following the theme of the spirit of a summer art festival.

“Just imagine what a fun Art Fest and street fair mean to you,” Cargol said.  Paint, draw, sculpt, etc., a picture of it, put it on a CD, and mail it to us. Please no photography or computer generated art.”

Although limited to artists living in Pierce County, students at the local colleges are welcome to enter, as are artists of all ages. A committee made up of artists and Proctor business people will judge the entries.

 Additional information:

Do not include lettering on your art, unless it is integral to the design. The printed information will be added to the poster by our graphic designer/printer. Please do not feature any Proctor Business. Submit your entry on a CD. CDs will not be returned.

Entries must be postmarked by April 15, or dropped off at the Proctor Art Gallery, 3811 N. 26th Street, by this date.

Send entries to:

Proctor District Association

Proctor Arts Fest Poster Contest
P.O. Box 7291
Tacoma WA 98417

Include name, telephone number, email, media and brief resume.

For questions, contact Bonnie Cargol at bonniecargol@gmail.com

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PROCTOR ARTS FEST in TACOMA AUG. 4 Offers More FREE Music Than Ever

The Proctor Arts Fest, in the Proctor business district in Tacoma, just keeps getting bigger and better each year. This year's event, on Saturday Aug. 4, tops them all with the addition of the new CHALET BOWL STAGE and many more arts and crafts vendors.

As you wander through the many attractions, be sure to head east on 26th to Washington Street, near the Wheelock Branch of the Tacoma Public Library where the new extension of the festival will be set up for your enjoyment. 

The entertainers booked for the CHALET BOWL STAGE  will make it the place to be, the hot spot of the day. And speaking of HOT, the weather forecast sounds pretty toasty, making the COVERED SEATING even more appealing.

Here are the acts for this new stage:

11:00 - 12:00

LOS FLACOS is a quartet performing traditional acoustic music from Mexico and Latin America on a variety of instruments. Among them are harp, violin, guitar, flute, and hand percussion. They will also sing. This is something truly special and different that you don't get to hear every day. Add to this delightful mix, the talents of a lovely dancer for an experience you won't forget. Violinist Tim Wetmiller is also well known for his band Hot Club Sandwich.

12:15 - 1:15

TOBY HANSON, Leader of the popular and extremely busy Smilin' Scandinavians band, master of the accordion and vocals, and an all around great entertainer, treats us to a special solo performance here. He skillfully presents traditional Scandinavian and European music, including polkas, as well as some great American Western Swing! Fun, funny, and super talented, he'll turn you into an accordion fan for sure.

1:30 - 2:30

LANCE BULLER TRIO  Lance began playing the trumpet at age 13 in Los Angeles and just kept getting better! He excelled at music all through high school and college and was playing with the best rock and jazz bands in L.A.before making a splash in Las Vegas. He played, toured, and recorded with the Beach Boys for years and formed his own band, the Monarchs. Buller has done about 25 albums and continues to grow in popularity as a jazz master all up and down the West Coast and in Canada. But the best part is, he's a proud citizen of Tacoma and lives in the Proctor District. Catch his act at Maxwell's in downtown Tacoma every Friday night!

photo by Dave Prill

2:45 - 3:45

KIMBALL AND THE FUGITIVES  This trio seems to do it all and do it extremely well, offering the truely American music you love and bringing back all those good memories of summers past. With classic rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, swing, rockabilly, country and more, Kimball Conant and the crew keep the good times rolling. Come hear why this band has been so popular throughout the Northwest for years. Don't miss them!

4:00 - 5:00

MORGAN AND GRAVES This amazing duo from Seattle is known far and wide for their performances of a variety of tunes played on guitar and fiddle, plus great vocals. Ranging from traditional mountain music to modern folk tunes, rock, jazz and captivating originals, their sound is one you will fall in love with. Be sure you take advantage of this chance to hear Morgan and Graves so you can learn why they are so much in demand.

See you at the Proctor Arts Fest, Saturday Aug. 4, in Tacoma.