Even if the tulips aren’t blooming yet, there will be plenty of tulips in art shows on this opening weekend of the Skagit County Tulip Festival.
Marguerite Goff’s show, Pleasant Ridge, at Rexville Grange, at 19299 Rexville Grange Road, is adding a special tulip gallery this year, with many of the 25 participating artists creating special tulip art work.
The artist who created the bakers dozen of fish hanging on the outside wall of Arlington’s City Hall, Goff recruited “Tulip Inspired Art” for this show she presents every year at the old grange hall located just a half mile north of the Rexville Grocery on the west side of Fir Island.
“We are thinking that if we took the opportunity to focus our attention on new works or new views, we could have fun with the much-used tulip theme,” Goff said.
Pleasant Ridge Rexville Gallery runs daily April 3 – 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., except April 3 when the show opens with a special opening night party from 5 – 9 p.m. Demonstrations by participating artists are scheduled on weekdays through the show, with Arlington’s own Lucinda VanValkenburg demonstrating wood working techniques April 14.
“The festival brings thousands of people to the valley and with the outstanding quality of our show we have a wonderful opportunity here,” Goff said.
“Everyone is invited for our gala opening night that includes live Celtic music by Campbell Road.” For information call 360-466-0469.
Art in a Pickle Barn
Another art show that includes artists from north Snohomish County, Art in a Pickle Barn is not in the pickle barn anymore. Presented by the Skagit Art Association, it’s at Cascade Mall near Macy’s Men’s Store in Burlington this year. The 20th annual art show includes works by 40 Northwest artists who present fine art paintings, prints, photography and daily demonstrations as well. Hours at the mall are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For information see www.skagitart.org/picklebarn.
Other art shows:
• Art League North Art Bash at the Tulip Valley Vineyards & Orchard, SR 536 near Mount Vernon, April 1 – 30. www.artleaguenorthwa.com; 360-424-3933.
• Art at the Schoolhouse is presented by the Stanwood-Camano Arts Guild, at Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon, www.stanwoodarts.com; 360-466-3821.
• Conway Muse Old Auction Barn, 18444 Main & Spruce in Conway, offers eclectic art from 1 – 5 p.m. April 1 – 30 with a gala opening April 3, 7 p.m. and live music, dinner theater and improv comedy and art workshops on Saturdays and Sundays through the month. www.theconwaymuse.com, or call 360-455-3000.
From the Tulip
Festival office
The tulips are moving along and will bloom sometime during April, according to the Tulip Festival Web site at www.tulipfestival.org. Currently the bright yellow blooms of daffodils are gracing Skagit Valley and early visitors are encouraged to visit the two display gardens, RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town, which have early varieties of tulips. The big fields of tulips will bloom later on in April, the Web site says.
