Burien’s annual 20-20 Vision Silent Art Auction fundraiser is coming to the Community Center on Nov. 19th, where there will be 400 pieces of art available for $40 each.

The fun begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. at the center, which is located at 14700 6th Ave SW.

This serves as a fundraiser for Burien Arts, and a $10 donation is suggested.

Next time you drive down Burien’s SW 153rd Street, instead of looking at the various storefronts, try tilting your eyes upward towards the top of the light poles – there you’ll see 44 colorful new, student-made banners expressing how “Burien Celebrates Arts and Culture.”

The banner project was the brainchild of Burien Arts Commissioner Victoria Hall. Victoria, who has lead the education committee of the Arts Commission for many years, wanted to find a way to work with area school children to explore the idea of cultural heritage. Working with three different schools in 2010, she had the students create drawings that explored their diverse cultural heritages.

The drawings were then displayed at the Burien Community Center, and from the many initial submissions, 11 were picked to be made into banners. The Burien Arts Commission embraced the idea of decorating SW 153rd Street with the banners, and with the help of Discover Burien and local designer Maureen Hoffmann, were then able to have 44 banners printed and installed.

And get this – the new banners will be celebrated at Burien Clean Sweep on April 30th (details here) with a Scavenger Hunt for participants and artists.

The City of Burien sends shout-outs to the following teachers and artists:

• Sylvester Middle School Teacher Mycol Winston and student artist Nick Mendoza
• Highline High School Teacher Lisa Bade and students Losa Berhane, Yohan Lasa, Emma VanAntwerp, Mayra Ramos, and Alyce
• Puget Sound Skills Center Teacher Victoria Hall and students Anabella Flores, Cecilia Ramirez, Jackie Disler, Lindsey Hofstadter, and Brandon Wood.
• Debra George and Discover Burien for their support of the project
• Burien Public Works for installing the banners
• Victoria Hall, Donna DiFiore, and Maureen Hoffman for their work on this wonderful project.

These new banners can be seen on the light poles from 1st Ave South west to 10th Ave SW, and they’ll be hanging above the street for the next year – check out these pics taken by Scott Schaefer on Wednesday (April 20):

UPDATE 4/1/11: The Burien Arts Association will be holding it brainstorming meeting from 6pm – 8pm on Tuesday, April 5th, to discuss “how we might better coordinate our efforts for maximum benefit to all.”

The meeting will take place in the Shorewood Room of the Burien Community Center (14700 6th Ave. SW), and all are invited to participate and help shape the local arts scene.

Light refreshments will be served.

Some topics participants might brainstorm together about include:

• How can we all work together to increase our audience sizes and our visibility?
• A specific annual arts event calendar?  … sharing the cost….
• Best marketing ideas we could share…  How can we create synergy?
• Develop a web presence that links ALL arts activities, events…
• Share information about audience demographics.  Are we reaching our target audiences?
• Do we have our audiences accurately defined?  Discuss innovative ways to do so.
• Burien Arts coordinating a needs assessment for the arts.
• What can we do digitally to “cross pollinate”?
• Are there collaborations that we should be doing
• Share venue information
• Accurate information about all arts groups in a centrally located place.
• What other topics would you like to discuss?

The Burien Arts Association is a 501(C)(3) with the mission of engaging, enriching, and entertaining all generations and communities in the Burien/Highline region through creative and innovative arts programming.

For more information, please email Sybil Davis at sybilhdavis@gmail.com.

REMINDER: Burien Arts’ Annual Juried Art Exhibition opens with a gala reception this Friday, Nov. 12th, from 6pm – 9 pm at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Avenue, SW in Burien.

The show is considered a “strong one” – in the words of juror Michael McCafferty:

“Puget Sound is certainly fortunate to have such a wealth of artistic talent in its midst.  I was quite impressed with the overall high level of inventiveness, vision and technical skill demonstrated by the artists who submitted entries to this juried process.  Congratulations to those whose work hangs in the community center today.”

These words come from an exhibit designer who just worked on the international sensation “Picasso” show downtown at the Seattle Art Museum!

The show features about 25 different artists, some names are:

• Aron Hart, winner of the Juror’s 1st. Place Award with his piece entitled “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
• Robert Fairfax
• Roy Kauffman
• Kim Kei
• Lolly Shera

At Friday’s reception, visitors will be able to enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres with the artists, as well as view some of the best art in Puget Sound as they support local arts and culture.

Monetary awards to the artists will be publicly awarded at 8pm.

The exhibition will run from Nov. 12th through Jan. 14, 2011.

Jurors include:

• Michael McCafferty, Seattle Art Museum exhibitions designer whose work includes the current Picasso Exhibit from the Musée Picasso.
• Paris Parvin, artist, is represented locally by Roby King Gallery, Bainbridge Island; her work is collected nationally and internationally.
• Susan Woltz, Art History, U.C.S.D., associate of La Jolla, California gallery, former gallery owner in Pioneer Square.

Burien Arts is partnering with the City of Burien, along with Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services in this First Annual Juried Art Exhibition.

More info at www.burienarts.org.

Burien Arts‘ third annual 20/20 Vision party is coming to the Burien Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 20th, and will feature 20 talented artists and 20 original works of art, each of which will be sold for just $40 per piece.

In addition to the bargain art sale, there will also be music, food and of course, fun.

Doors open at 7pm, art sales begin promptly at 7:30pm, and there’s a $5 suggested donation at the door to support local, innovative arts programming.

It is a new roster of artists this year, so even for those who’ve been to the past two events, this means that there will be 400 new pieces to see!

And note also that they are changing locations, so the event will be held at the Burien Community Center.

And BTB Advertiser Burien Press is twittering a coupon each day connected to each participating artist, so there’s free coffee available to those who watch for 20/20 update – click here to follow them on Twitter.

The Artists will include (click links to see their websites):

• Kelda Martensen
• Rachel Loy
• Sam “Sneke” Swanson
• Jeremy Gregory
• Garreth Schuh
• Margaret Holland
• Shelli Park
• Devrim Ozkan
• Maron Resur
• Glenn Tramantano
• John Unbehend
• Jesse Link
• Joey Bates
• Laura Castellanos
• Candice Hacket
• David Repyak
• Mo Simon
• Stephanie Dennis
• Davy Desmond
• Joseph Douglas

Here are the details:

WHAT: Burien Arts annual 20/20 Vision Arts Party.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20th, beginning at 7pm; art sale starts at 7:30pm.

WHERE: Burien Community Center, located at 14700 6th Avenue SW (in the renovated “old” library building).

INFO: From a flier:

Burien’s best art party is back!

For the third year in a row, Burien Arts invited 20 talented artists to each create 20 original works of art.

All 400 pieces will be sold for $40 each on November 20, 2010 at 20/20 Vision, Burien’s one-night-only affordable art extravaganza.

Please join us for an evening of good music, good food, good art and good fun!

Doors open at 7:00 pm, art sales begin promptly at 7:30 pm.

$5 suggested donation at the door to support innovative arts programming.

Hope to see you!

Burien Community Center
14700 6th Avenue SW
Burien, WA 98166 US

Phone: 206-244-7808

"Civic Fence Project" by Laura Castellanos.

Burien Arts‘ first annual Juried Exhibition’s Gala Opening Reception will be from 6pm – 9pm on Friday, Nov. 12th at the Burien Community Center, located at 14700 6th Ave SW.

At the reception, visitors will be able to enjoy beverages and hors d’oeuvres with the artists, as well as view some of the best art in Puget Sound as they support local arts and culture.

Monetary awards to the artists will be publicly awarded at 8pm.

The exhibition will run from Nov. 12th through Jan. 14, 2011.

Jurors include:

• Michael McCafferty, Seattle Art Museum exhibitions designer whose work includes the current Picasso Exhibit from the Musée Picasso.
• Paris Parvin, artist, is represented locally by Roby King Gallery, Bainbridge Island; her work is collected nationally and internationally.
• Susan Woltz, Art History, U.C.S.D., associate of La Jolla, California gallery, former gallery owner in Pioneer Square.

Burien Arts is partnering with the City of Burien, along with Burien Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services in this First Annual Juried Art Exhibition.

More info at www.burienarts.org.

The Burien Arts Association is hosting another “Sing & Sketch” tonight (Thursday, Mar. 11th) at BTB Advertiser Burien Press.

According to Erin Williamson:

“Relax at the Burien Press while enjoying a terrific cup of joe & delectable pastries, pies and sandwiches.“

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Sing & Sketch” music/art party.

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 11th, from 6pm–8pm.

WHERE: Burien Press, located at 423 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien (across from the new City Hall/Library); phone: 206-453-5412.

COST: No cover, just bring your creativity or your interest in watching/listening.

INFO: From a poster:

Come enjoy a song and art circle!

For the Musicians: Share you latest songwriting creation or just play an old favorite while others join in.

For the Visual Artists: Enjoy the chance to do some figural drawing or painting while listening to live music.

For Everyone, art and music appreciators alike: Relax at the Burien Press while enjoying a terrific cup of joe & delectable pastries, pies and sandwiches.

Poster Art by John Unbehend

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURIEN ARTS & Burien Press

For more Information contact: burienarts.org

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Burien Arts (BA) has been part of the area arts scene, community activities and has “lived” in the “Little Blue House” Art Gallery in Dottie Harper Park for nearly 50 years, since the early 1960s.

Sadly, its time in that house is reaching its end, as it will be closing shop the end of March.

According to a press release:

“The model the founders developed served the community and the organization well for many years. Changes in demographics, growth / development in the city and relocation of the key facilities that have drastically reduced gallery traffic has led us to examine how Burien Arts can better serve the community.”

“Because of all the changes that have and are taking place in Burien, the BA Board of Trustees is using this as an opportunity to really reexamine our role in the community,” said John Unbehend, President of the BA Board. “The repositioning will be both a physical (meaning we’ll eventually be moving to a more visible / accessible location) and a directional one (how we bring a sustainable set of visual arts / services to Burien).”

Some of Burien Arts past activities have included:

• Burien Art Gallery
• High School Art exhibitions
• Artist United partnership
• Strawberry Festival
• Shakespeare-in-the-Park
• Numerous musical events

Its current mission statement is as follows:

The Burien Arts Association Mission is to engage, enrich and entertain all the communities, generations and visitors to the Burien / greater Highline region through creative and innovative arts programming.

The press release goes on to say:

We anticipate that one out growth of the repositioning will be expanding to include arts educational and enrichment programs that compliment those offered by the area schools and the city of Burien.

The questions we have to ask the community and answer for the organization are the fundamental ones that journalist use when they develop a story:

• Who? Who are people we are serving in the Burien / Highline area (artistic, scholastic, ethnic and age groups in our area)?
• What? What are the artistic (visual, performing, literary) activities that the community wants and will support to allow BA to be a sustainable force in our area.
• Where? Where should BA be physically located to be accessible to the greatest number of people:
  • foot traffic, drop-ins and event participants for a new gallery
  • participation in community events (festivals, farmers market, Burien Days)
  • accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Students (elementary, middle school, high school and college).
• When? When is now! With the new town center, building projects, new restaurants and relocation of the Strawberry Festival we have to get a grip on our future now.
• How? How do we find a new gallery facility that meets the community needs? How to we provide a set of products (art shows, Shakespeare, poetry / literary experiences, educational opportunities) the community will eagerly provide support – attendance, participation and financial.

The first step will be to gather as much input from the community members as we can. This will take the form of:

• Discussions with art groups and individual artist in the community to learn how they want to participate.
• The individuals that we serve in the community through our web site, email burienarts@gmail.com and public meetings.
• Working with the merchants and Discover Burien to find how we can best support one another.
• Join in close discussions with the City of Burien (parks and rec., council, city management) to make sure we’re clear on how we can support and reinforce their activities in the arts so that BA is not duplicating their fine efforts.

This data will provide the foundation for decisions on how we reposition ourselves to better serve the Burien / Highline community!

- John Unbehend for the Burien Arts Board of Trustees
3/7/10

The current show at the Burien Arts Gallery is “Page Turner: Contemporary Artist Books,” a free exhibit of handmade artists books, which continues through March 19.

Hours are Thursday-Friday Noon – 5 pm, Saturday 11 am – 5 pm and Sunday 11 am-4 pm, and the gallery is located at 421 SW 146th Street.

This could be your last chance to set foot in this historic, quaint “Little Blue House,” as we’re not yet sure of what the future holds for it.

The Burien Art Gallery will be hosting “Page Turner: Contemporary Artist Books,” a free exhibit of handmade artists books, beginning this Friday, March 5th at its Dottie Harper Park “Little Blue House” location at 421 SW 146th Street.

The exhibit features original work from 22 artists whose work has been shown in galleries throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Art lovers throughout the Puget Sound area are invited to visit the exhibit and also to lend support to the Burien Arts Gallery which plans to close temporarily following the show while it searches for a new location (EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ll have further details on the gallery closing soon, so stay tuned).

Jana Harper "Your Perfect Library"

The  exhibit will include original works from the following artists:

• Ken Botnick
• Diana Guerrero-Maciá
• Regin Igloria
• Chandler O’Leary
• Carrie Iverson
• Rachel Dennis
• Mandolin Brassaw
• Nicolette Ross
• Molly Brooks
• Lloyd McMullen
• Neil Clark

Several university faculty will also be featured, including:

• Jana Harper and Amy Thompson (Washington University, St. Louis)
• Inge Bruggeman (Oregon College of Art and Craft)
• Jessica Spring (Pacific Lutheran University)
• Don Olsen (Art Institute of Portland)
• Megan Sterling (Harrington College of Design)
• Valerie Wallace (Portland State University)

According to a press release:

Visitors will experience “poetry, surprise, fury and wit” in the time-honored visual form of the handmade artist book.

Artist, educator and exhibit curator Kelda Martensen also noted that the artists featured are bringing a fresh look to this time-honored visual form.

People “will be both delighted and surprised,” she said of the innovative exhibit. “Each artist book sets the viewer on a creative journey. Visitors will find themselves in the stirring position of interpreter to a powerful conversation between artist and page as images and narrative unfold.”

A complete listing of artist biographies and images of selected artist books are available at http://contemporaryartistbooks.blogspot.com/.

The exhibit will be available March 5 – March 19, and the hours are Thursday-Friday Noon – 5 pm, Saturday 11 am – 5 pm and Sunday 11 am-4 pm.

Admission is FREE.

WHAT:  “Page Turner: Contemporary Artist Books” exhibit

WHERE: Burien Arts Center, located at 421 SW 146th St, Burien WA 98166

WHEN:  Friday, March 5th through Sunday, March 21st

COST: FREE

INFO: Exhibit info at http://contemporaryartistbooks.blogspot.com/, Burien Arts: http://burienarts.org

The Burien Arts Association is hosting their second “Sing & Sketch” tonight (Thursday, Feb. 11th) at BTB Advertiser Burien Press.

According to Erin Williamson:

“Folks who show up will get a free slice of pie or cake, so even more reason to come!”

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Sing & Sketch” music/art party.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11th, from 6pm–8pm.

WHERE: Burien Press, located at 423 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien (across from the new City Hall/Library); phone: 206-453-5412.

COST: No cover, just bring your creativity or your interest in watching/listening.

INFO: From a poster:

Come enjoy a song and art circle!

For the Musicians: Share you latest songwriting creation or just play an old favorite while others join in.

For the Visual Artists: Enjoy the chance to do some figural drawing or painting while listening to live music.

For Everyone, art and music appreciators alike: Relax at the Burien Press while enjoying a terrific cup of joe & delectable pastries, pies and sandwiches.

For More Information contact: burienarts.org

Poster Art by John Unbehend

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BURIEN ARTS & Burien Press