The Local Seattle Artist Community & Art Scene

I received the following email earlier today from Jules Anslow at Lowell Art Works Studios & Gallery and I’m re-posting it here to get the word out to our local art community. If you are able to, please consider making a donation to help out. Events like this in our lives can be devastating but through the help of family, friends, and community there is always hope and healing.

Hello to all of our lovely LAW (Lowell Art Works) supporters.

I usually send out notices only for our LAW shows, but I’m sure you’ll forgive me this digression.  I’m sending this note in support of our precious friends and amazing artists Ursula Stocke and Ron Stocke.  Ursula has just been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. You may remember seeing Ursula’s beautiful solo exhibit this fall just off our main gallery.  If you know Ursula you’re already aware of her sweetness and generosity, and I know you’ll want to shower her with all the love, support and positive healing thoughts you’re able.  A donation site (below) has been set up to help with the inevitable expenses.

"Hi everyone this is Ron, Ursula’s husband. Ursula asked me to share with you news that stunned us this week: Ursula has colon cancer. This is as shocking to us as it is to you. Over the holidays we celebrated Ursula’s 42nd birthday and have planned a jam-packed 2012 as well as the next forty years of our life together. This may postpone some of our plans but it is not going to stop us. We plan to fight this with everything we’ve got and we need your help. First of all – please keep Ursula in your thoughts and prayers. We believe in the power of the mind and positive energy. Secondly – like many Americans these days and most of the artists we know – we are underinsured.

*In the next few days we will be setting up a site with more information on how you can help.

We plan on having regular updates on her progress to keep you all informed.

Bless you and thanks… Ron"

*Here is the link to the donation site:
http://www.giveforward.com/ursulastocke

I was recently contacted by Josh Burt, the father of Max, asking for donations and support for a fundraiser they are having. Max will turn 2 years old this month and was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma and a neurological disorder called Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome. Even with having good insurance they are having a difficult time keeping up with all of the medical bills. Their friends have joined together to have a fundraiser for their son Max on Saturday May 21st.

The event will consist of a spaghetti dinner and silent auction. If anyone is interested in donating artwork or other items for the auction or would like to make a monetary donation to help, please contact Max’s father, Josh Burt at 206-409-4576 or by email at jc_burt@yahoo.com. They have setup a family blog where you can learn more at http://burtfamily5.blogspot.com.

Max will turn 2 this month and every little bit helps.

Thank you.

LONG SHOT is a 24 hour photo marathon that celebrates photography, creativity, and our greater community, while raising funds for education and outreach programs at Photo Center NW. The event is open to everyone, using any camera, anywhere. At lease one image from each participant will be featured in the LONG SHOT exhibition at Photo Center NW on July 23,2011.

Sign up for LONG SHOT and follow our lead to the marathon on June 17-18! We have over 100 people already signed on to participate, but we want to know how YOU will spend 24 hours with your camera. Will you be up all night? Take a few pictures and hit the hay? Are you up for some late night diner meals or watching the sun rise (from wherever you may be on June 18)? How about a road trip? Find out more about LONG SHOT here and learn how your participation contributes to Photo Center NW, a non-profit art center that serves YOU

All participants will have a chance to show their best work in the Photo Center gallery during the LONG SHOT exhibition and celebration on July 23. Round up some friends and sign up for a photographic adventure culminating in an epic party in celebration of photography and creativity!

Here’s how it works:

1) Sign Up
2) Seek Pledges & Support
3) Shoot During the 24 hour Marathon June 17-18, and then
4) Submit Your Best Work!

We’re officially in the 12 days of Christmas countdown but there’s still time to shop and pickup some great holiday gifts for family and friends. If you’re looking for a special gift that is personal, unique and lasts forever, consider buying local art. There are so many artists and galleries in the Northwest Seattle area who create and sell wonderful and quality artwork, that finding something isn’t hard to do.

Don’t be shy, not all artwork is for the big-budget collector; many artists sell their art pieces for a very reasonable and affordable price. Get out there and talk to local artists, visit galleries and walk the neighborhood art-walks. When you buy local art, you support both the artists in our community and the local economy and you get the joy of giving something that is one of a kind. Sometimes giving or receiving that first piece of original art is all it takes to ignite the passion of collecting art in someone. It really is a special gift and there is always something for everyone.

I’ve started a quick list of places to help you get started. To add your gallery or studio to this list, just comment below or submit our contact form.

Browse through our list of SeattleArtists.com Gallery Members

Do a neighborhood Art Walk – click here for our full list

Visit local galleries & studios – here are a few:

Ghost Gallery – Capitol Hill
Photo Center NW – Seattle
www.AgostaSculpture.com – Bainbridge Island, open Sun 11-4pm
Bherd Studios – Greenwood
Dixon Hamby iPhoneography books
Twilight Artist Collective – West Seattle
Tasty – Shop Tasty Art in Phinney Ridge
Steven Fey Photography – Seattle

Museum Memberships:

Seattle Art Museum
History Museum – WA State Historical Society
Bellevue Arts Museum
Frye Art Museum
The Burke Museum
Northwest African American Museum

To add your gallery, studio or favorite idea to our list, just comment below or submit our contact form.