GREYBIRD BARN ART SALE TAKES FLIGHT

A big "THANK YOU" to Libby Wennstrom for this wonderful article in our local paper, The Leader, promoting our GreyBird Barn Art Sale.


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Five working artists – all women – have teamed up for the seventh annual GreyBird Barn’s Artist Studio Sale, set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 8-9.

The sale is located at the barn studio of etched-metal artist Shane Miller, 11 Carroll Ave., in Glenn Cove. Many of the artists represented have been selling in the show for years.

The GreyBird Barn artists, whose work runs the gamut from found-object sculpture to photo-etched jewelry to mixed-media painting, plan to be on hand both days to explain their processes and answer questions.

New to the barn sale this year is Suquamish artist Diane Haddon, who specializes in assemblage and found-object collage. Returning artists are Linda Jarvis (mixed-media, sculpture and assemblage), Lynn Anju (metal etchings, sculpture and jewelry), Loran Scruggs (colorful reused tin and bottle-cap creations) and GreyBird Barn studio owner Shane Miller (photo-etched jewelry, narrative boxes and sculpture).

Miller has been a working artist for about 25 years, starting out in large-scale steel sculpture; over time, her work has evolved to include photo-etched metal boxes and three-dimensional opening frames. She is now branching out to paper and collage work – still using some of the same photo processes she uses in her etchings – gluing tiled gampi paper onto larger canvases to create large, composite images.

In recent years, Miller has switched from using harsh chemicals for photo etching to a process which uses electricity – provided by a car battery – and a strong salt water solution. Miller says she’s happier with the results, and the process is far less toxic than using conventional photo etching chemicals.

A thread running through Miller's artwork, regardless of media, is narrative – every piece tells a story. Her "narrative boxes" hang on the wall and open up, inviting viewers to open each panel to find out what the rest of the story might be. Miller's work is available year around at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.

Miller came to Port Townsend in 1993 for the sea kayaking, and stayed, in part, because of the thriving regional arts scene. The barn – which serves as her studio space when it's not being pressed into service for the sale – has become a way for a group of what Miller calls "like-minded artists" to come together once a year and create an intimate, informative way of selling their work. All of the artists sell their work at regional galleries, but having "at home" time offers people a chance to talk with the artists about their processes, tools and intentions for a piece.

The barn is located in a quiet, semi-rural area in little-traveled Glenn Cove, just outside the Port Townsend city limits. From State Route 20, take Fredericks Street and follow the signs to the bottom of the hill. Sale hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Oct. 8-9. For more information, call Miller at 379-5421.

AFTER THE SALE 2012

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Well we lived through it .... our 4th annual studio sale at GreyBird Barn....and all agree that it was a grand success. Having the sale in October instead of in June is something I'm sure we will try again. There was some magic in the air .... the crisp fall mornings .... the apples on my trees .... the beginnings of color in the landscape .... just a general vibe of well being as we celebrated the shift of light that we call fall.

An event like this doesn't happen without a lot of pairs of hands and a bunch of willing hearts. I have many people to thanks for their tireless energy and willingness to help. My friend, Carrie, is not only the principal of our local high school but is our cookie and pumpkin bar maker. This is her 4th year to bake for us and I know it was a challenge this time with her busy schedule. We so appreciate her for her talents in the kitchen and also for just being who she is. Her partner, Ari, has also been an integral part of our barn sale for all 4 years. She takes care of traffic and the parking of cars in my yard. It can't be the most fun job but she does get to boss people around .... a small perk. Wendy is the sister of Linda Jarvis .... one of our participating artists. She, too, has helped us for 4 years and travels down from Pender Island off the coast of British Columbia to do so. I'm not sure how we would manage without her energy which is usually spent refilling the apple cider pot and cookie trays .... running any errands .... and being the trouble shooter for any and everything that needs attention. Rick is the husband of Lynn Anju .... another participating artist .... and this year not only made two dump runs for me as I cleaned out the barn but he also was the responsible party who put out and picked up our numerous sandwich boards from along the highway and streets. Rick, also, along with Bob Snow .... husband of Donna Snow, another participating artist, helped us do some much needed yard work on the Sunday before the sale ... much raking .... snipping .... trimming .... and wood stacking was accomplished. A huge shout out thanks goes to Jennifer Westdal who is responsible for the wonderful article about GreyBird Barn and it's artists that was published in the Port Townsend Leader, our local newspaper. Megan Claflin, the arts editor for the Port Townsend Leader, gets a round of applause for making Jennifer's article possible. So three cheers for everyone listed above and a huge THANK YOU for supporting us. And a big THANK YOU for all that came to see and purchase our art.... old friends .... new friends .... we are so glad you came.

Here are a few random photos from the week end. Some are mine .... some were taken by Linda Jarvis .... and some by Diana Cronin.

Lynn Anju is probably explaining her etching process.

That's me talking to a customer.

Diana Cronin's BEAN STALKS AND MAGIC BEANS lined the path to the barn.

A throng of onlookers checking out the work of Donna Snow.

Linda Jarvis doing a happy dance!!

Diane Gale showing us how big her dinner plate is going to be that night....it was so busy at times that we all forgot to eat lunch!

Me, Shane Miller, having a serious art discussion with an old friend.