NAPA VALLEY, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Penfolds is delighted to announce NIGO as its first Creative Partner. The multi-year relationship will see NIGO lead the creative vision for selected Penfolds projects, beginning with the global launch of One by Penfolds – a range of wines celebrating ‘oneness’.

Oneness embraces what makes us all different and unique, but also the things that bring us together. One by Penfolds is about much more than the wine itself. Inspired by, and working alongside, the community of each winemaking region, Penfolds winemakers have created a worldly set of modern wines that are rich and vibrant. Different perspectives and unique regional nuances are captured within each bottle, all unified by Penfolds distinctive House Style – a benchmark for quality, consistency and drinkability.

Using his signature style, NIGO designed four animal motifs which feature on the wine labels – a crocodile, rooster, panda, and bear. The designs represent the four winemaking regions where One by Penfolds wines are sourced – Australia, France, China and America respectively. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia, 2021 Vin Rouge France, and 2021 Red Blend California are the only bottles available in the United States (SRP: $25).

NIGO is a visionary whose creative talents span fashion, art, and music. He is a passionate wine collector and lover of fine wines from all around the world.

For over thirty years, NIGO has been at the forefront of culture, establishing himself as a global icon and cultural pioneer. As the Founder of Human Made and current Artistic Director of KENZO, NIGO is known for his innovative and future-thinking vision. These values align with Penfolds’ philosophies, which have been anchored by curiosity, innovation, and a pioneering spirit for almost 180 years.

“I have always loved and enjoyed wine, and Penfolds has always been one of my favorites. My creative partnership with Penfolds is a dream project for which I am grateful of the opportunity”, said NIGO.

“We are incredibly proud to name NIGO as Penfolds’ first-ever Creative Partner. NIGO is at the forefront of culture and design which makes him the ideal visionary to take the reins of One by Penfolds and work together with us across special Penfolds projects. We look forward to sharing this new Penfolds chapter with lovers of fashion, wine, art, and music all around the world”, said Kristy Keyte, Penfolds Chief Marketing Officer.  

One by Penfolds by NIGO is available globally from 13 July 2023, in select retail outlets and e-commerce platforms. For more details and stockist information visit www.penfolds.com. Future projects between Penfolds and NIGO will be announced in 2024.

About NIGO:
Known as one of the founding fathers of street fashion, NIGO created his first clothing label, in Tokyo in 1993. The brand grew from the cultural underground to attain global fame in the worlds of fashion and music. NIGO is now Creative Director of his own independent brand HUMAN MADE as has been recently appointed the Artistic Director at LVMH owned Maison KENZO. Working in the fields of music and fashion and often through collaboration with some of the best known companies and creative people in the world, he has innovated new ways for fashion to relate to its audience that have since become industry standards. NIGO continues to pursue his creativity in his work through fashion brands and in musical projects as well as in the practice of photography and traditional Japanese ceramic art.

About One by Penfolds: 
Designed in partnership with Human Made founder NIGO, One by Penfolds celebrates the idea of ‘oneness’. Oneness embraces what makes us all different and unique, but also the things that bring us together, as represented by the winemaking regions from where the One by Penfolds range is made around the world – Australia, France, China, and the US. Different perspectives and unique regional nuances are captured within the bottle, all unified by Penfolds distinctive House Style. Each wine within the One by Penfolds range delivers medium-bodied, fruit-forward, and aromatic flavours.

For more information visit: www.penfolds.com Facebook/Penfolds Twitter/Penfolds Instagram/Penfolds and YouTube/PenfoldsEST1844

For Further Information Contact:

Lily Lane, Public Relations Senior Director, Penfolds T: +7072993252 or [email protected] 

Kelsey Spencer, Account Supervisor, Nike Communications T: +7039556910 or [email protected]com

SOURCE Penfolds

“There is something mysterious and magical about masks,” says João Charrua. “A mask intrinsically carries an energy with which we identify in some way. They are like portals to our imagination.” Through carefully planned and meticulous folds, the Portugal-based artist models human faces from single sheets of paper, crafting delicate noses, expressive brows, and angular jawlines.

Charrua began exploring origami around 13 years ago, when he was looking for a pastime to share with his daughter. He started researching contemporary practitioners and was fascinated by the level of detail that could be achieved. “Origami requires rational and sequential thought, where each fold goes to form part the whole, and they all have to come together to produce the final result,” he says.

Before creating the final piece, Charrua often makes “sketches,” or three-dimensional drafts, which allow him to visualize specific features and make changes before starting on the formal model. He says, “I believe that by repeating the process many times, certain gestures, folds, or techniques become routine acts, so that a natural creative process develops, underlain by the subconscious.”

See more of Charrua’s work on Instagram, where he often shares photos of his process and preparatory studies.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article João Charrua Intricately Folds Single Pieces of Paper to Reveal Precisely Rendered Portraits appeared first on Colossal.

The building at 780 Valencia St., most recently home to community art space the Drawing Room, is under construction to be converted into a Live Fit Gym by September.

In the 99 years since its construction, 780 Valencia has lived many lives: as multiple car dealerships and coffee shops, and even a student radio station for the since-shuttered New College of California. The luxury gym — where a monthly membership starts at $107 — will be its newest chapter in nearly a century of history.

The Mission’s “Auto Row”

In October of 1924, the Chandler-Cleveland Motor Car Company unveiled their newest automobile showroom at the freshly-built 780 Valencia St.

A 1924 San Francisco Examiner article about the opening of 780 Valencia heralded the street as the “second automobile row in the city,” as it joined other dealerships operating out of nearby North Mission addresses. For the next 30 years, cars were sold from 780 Valencia.

In 1948, Charles Raven moved his auto business to the Valencia showroom. He was a socialite and personality in the city, heading the county grand jury the year before his untimely death: a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge in 1953, as reported by the Examiner in June of that year. In 1954, the dealership closed.

A variety of meats and cheeses

Luchetti Choice meats moved in soon after in 1954, marketing bulk meat for families to buy and keep frozen. In their inaugural year, they advertised in the Examiner a stock of “three carload lots” of meat from the “Famed Roberts Ranch” — “personally sampled.” 

But Luchetti soon gave way to the Domestic Cheese Company, a cheese importer and distributor headed by Gilbert Dito. The building was purchased by Dito’s father-in-law, Nikolas Georgatos, in 1961, then sold to him and his wife in 1975. It would stay in the Dito family for another 30 years.

Even after Domestic Cheese left the space, dairy remained the game. It was followed by Daniel’s Creamery, which sold cheese and smoked meats. Daniel’s also operated a small café, the first of many at 780 Valencia.

New College of California and the “chop shop”

In the early aughts, the Dito family began leasing the space to Guido Venezia III, who ran multiple businesses out of the space, including A-1 Underground Powder Coating and a trash and recycling business called Venezia and Sons.

By then, the block was home to New College of California, headquartered in an old church at 777 Valencia St. — now music and arts venue the Chapel. In 2005, they purchased 780 Valencia, where they kept their student radio station. 

Guido Venezia remained in the back of the building, operating what Ashwin Navin, tech founder and the next owner of the building, described as a “motorcycle chop shop.” 

Navin recalled asking a member of the New College what happened in Venezia’s side of the building, opposite the radio station’s walls.

“‘We don’t know, and we don’t really ask…’”

New College of California was an alternative college, a place where one could get a Master’s in Activism and Social Change, or a “socially conscious” MBA, according to the Noe Valley Voice in 2007.

“The whole school was kind of rogue,” Navin said.

Navin became interested in the space when he found out about the student radio station. He offered himself as mentor, wanting to create a place where young people’s ideas could flourish — a sort of “826 Valencia…for tech and media and art,” he said, referring to the kids’ writing nonprofit.

When the New College lost accreditation in 2008, Navin decided he wouldn’t give up on his vision.

A home to community

As New College shuttered in 2008 and began to liquidate its real estate, Navin joined forces with other movers and shakers in digital media to purchase the building. After renovations — including removing the “semi truck” sized ovens used by the powder coaters — they reopened the space as café and co-working hub in 2010.

The Summit restaurant took up one half of the building, leaving the other half to be used as a membership co-working space. Artists — including Carlos Santana album cover artist Michael Rio — showed and sold their work in a gallery in the back, where they often hosted events. 

“Whether it was acoustic music or industry dinners, it was just a high energy creative group of people,” Navin said.

In the co-working space, techies could meet and work on their projects, one of which was encrypted messaging app Signal, says Navin. And for four months of the year, burgeoning tech founders were mentored in the space as part of i/o ventures, an incubator run by Navin, among others.

After less than two years in business, the Summit shut down, to be replaced by 780 Cafe, run by the then-property manager of 780 Valencia and past employee of New College, Jose Ramos. Not long after, the new cafe and the co-working space both shut down.

“We didn’t really care about the money as much,” said Navin, saying they focused more on curating a community. “Sort of like the way that New College operated. I guess we were just inspired by that.” 

For the next eight years, the space was leased to BetaBrand, an online retailer opening its flagship brick-and-mortar in the Mission. In 2020, Navin’s company sold the building to Baskin Investment Group. Soon after the pandemic hit, BetaBrand filed for bankruptcy and left.

A dormant space reawakened

As in-person retail slowed city-wide, the space remained empty for months. 

Renee DeCarlo started the Drawing Room as an ‘open studio’ — half artist studio, half gallery — on 23rd Street in 2018. Right before the pandemic, she made a deal with the owner of an empty storefront on Mission Street to lease the space to her for $1 a month. The idea was that she could operate an art gallery, attracting attention and traffic to the building, until the owner could find a more permanent tenant. They continued to host limited events during the pandemic.

DeCarlo met a representative of Baskin Investment Properties and they realized a similar arrangement could revitalize the long-dormant 780 Valencia. For $350 a month, she could turn the building into a hub for arts in the Mission, with space for a gallery and artist studios, called the Drawing Room: Annex.

“It was so generous of them to take the leap of faith and hand me the keys,” DeCarlo said.

DeCarlo described how the Drawing Room became a “connecting point” for arts in the neighborhood. DeCarlo said their vibrant window and sidewalk art installations suffered no vandalism, which she attributes to the gallery’s openness and inclusivity. Their shows welcomed artists of all ages and experience levels, even showcasing the work of high school students. And on the weekend, the Drawing Room paid musicians from the community to play free shows for the public.

With the space reactivated, the owners felt they had to raise the rent, though offered to continue renting it to the Drawing Room below-market-rate. DeCarlo says the community rallied to fund the cost of the space, but despite selling around $100,000 in art in their first two shows, they ultimately couldn’t afford to keep it open. The Drawing Room cleared out by May. They’ve since moved to a much smaller storefront on Clement Street in the Inner Richmond.

Now, construction is underway to transform the building into a Live Fit Gym. DeCarlo regrets losing the space, but is grateful for the time they had. 

Live Fit Gym owner Milton O’Brien says the new branch, set to by open by September, will replace their previous Mission location on 675 Valencia St., which they were beginning to outgrow.

“It will be the nicest exercise facility on Valencia,” he said.

With Xello for Higher Education, Colleges Can Create Authentic Connections Earlier and Engage Prospective Students in Their Community

TORONTO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ – Xello, the award-winning K-12 college, career and future readiness program, has announced Xello for Higher Education, the only pre-inquiry marketing platform that enables colleges to connect with prospective students early through peer-to-peer and community-based conversations.

Xello for Higher Education addresses colleges and universities’ need to build thriving communities of prospective students and counter an ongoing drop in undergraduate enrollment. Colleges receive data and reports that help them identify prospective students who will be the best fit for their institution, as well as identify future offerings that align with market needs and student interests.

For students, the state-of-the-art, secure platform provides a straightforward connection with the college process through low-friction access to admissions, financial aid, residential life, and student ambassadors, at colleges of their choice. The platform also helps them understand what makes each institution unique.

“Xello recognizes that the higher education process is changing, and colleges need equitable access to tools to win the hearts and minds of their best-fit students before an inquiry is made,” said Matt McQuillen, CEO and Co-Founder of Xello. “Colleges can no longer simply advertise and expect to see spikes in enrollment. Finding ways for students to experience a sense of community early helps colleges stand out from the crowd and forge genuine connections.”

Because more than 1 million students are already exploring college and career options on the award-winning Xello platform, it’s a natural place for colleges to have a presence and start to engage with students as early as ninth grade.

“By partnering with Xello for Higher Education, colleges can create a strong foundation for long-term enrollment success by building a unique community with prospective students,” said Alan Liebrecht, Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing and Communications at Texas Wesleyan University, and a member of Xello’s Higher Education Council.

“At Texas Wesleyan University, our students come from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic groups, and more than half are first generation students, so we see this as another opportunity to support and guide students as they go through the post-secondary process,” Liebrecht added.

Colleges and universities interested in signing up for Xello for Higher Education can register for the platform’s waitlist here.

About Xello

Xello’s mission is to help anyone, anywhere in the world create a successful future through self-knowledge, exploration and planning. With more than 20 years in the education software industry, the team at Xello has helped millions of educators and millions of students become future ready with its suite of online platforms. Based in Toronto, Canada, Xello’s award-winning future readiness programs are used globally by nearly eight million students and educators. Learn more about Xello at  www.xello.world.

SOURCE Xello Inc.

AMY’S PICKS 

Rooftop Cinema
7 p.m. Friday, July 14, Bellingham Parkade, 1300 Commercial St.
Last July, the Pickford Film Center drew attention to the late actor Patrick Swayze by screening three of his movies on the roof of Bellingham’s biggest parking garage. They dubbed it “Summer of Swayze,” and it was a big success. 

This year, “Hot Girl Summer” will be the theme of the trio of movies. But don’t go thinking you’ll be showing up to watch scantily-clad women showing off more skin than brains. Instead, Pickford Marketing Manager Gray Gordon said they’ll be featuring three complex women in the lead roles of their respective films — an idea I can strongly get behind. 

Reese Witherspoon kicks off the feisty fun tonight with “Legally Blonde”; Frances McDormand continues the series July 28 with a screening of “Fargo”; and Charlize Theron commands the screen Aug. 11 with “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Show up early for food, fun and games, then settle in at dusk for the free screening, which happens to take place in a surprisingly scenic locale.

“It’s the best 360-degree view of Bellingham Bay’s sunset between the mountain and the sea,” Gordon said. “People are driving up to watch sunsets at the Parkade all the time.” Info: pickfordfilmcenter.org. (Note: Please check in advance to make sure the July 14 event is still happening. At press time, it was unclear if the elevator at the Parkade would be in working order.)

The Northwest Raspberry Festival 
July 14–15, throughout Lynden
I sampled the first red raspberries of the season from our backyard patch recently, and I’m here to tell you the taste of the fresh fruit is something that can’t be replicated. Sweet but not cloying, the flavor is unmatched and the berries are delicious in everything from pies to cocktails, smoothies, on top of ice cream or cereal, or simply shoveled straight into your mouth.

If you don’t grow your own, no problem. Simply head to Lynden this weekend to attend the festival celebrating Whatcom County’s longstanding raspberry industry. Live music on two stages, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a kids zone, a car show, a street market, and a scavenger hunt will be part of this annual event, but if you’re in it for the food and drink, they’ve got you covered. 

Among fruit-focused flavors you’ll find are raspberries and ice cream for a mere $2; raspberry wine and spirits tastings (two tastes for $1); a Razz “Beery” Time-out Garden featuring raspberry beer, specialty cocktails and more; a barbecue salmon dinner; and on Saturday morning, a raspberry pancake breakfast at the Lynden Community Center. Community celebrations have never tasted so good. Info: lynden.org. 

Vancouver Folk Music Festival 
July 14–16, Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver, British Columbia 

 In January, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival was in danger of shutting down. Thanks to community support, the longtime festival featuring music from around the globe will continue July 14–16 at Jericho Beach Park. (Photo courtesy of Vancouver Folk Music Festival)  

In late January, I received an email from Gwen Kallio of Sisu Productions with the subject line “A call to save the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.” The abrupt decision to dissolve the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Society would have put an end to 45 years of music-making at the lovely locale located just an hour or so away from Bellingham. 

Luckily, public outcry from supporters, partners and other festivals changed minds, and the three-day event is now going on as planned. You can help ensure its continuation by procuring tickets and making your way over the border to attend the music festival known for redefining the meaning of “folk.” With 40-plus acts with roots in more than 12 countries, 10 states and eight provinces, the inspired lineup will feature tunes for every ear. 

On-site food, beverages, and arts and crafts will also be part of the 46th annual festival, as will workshops, a Little Folks Village and much more. While there, it wouldn’t hurt to take a moment to tell organizers you appreciate their hard work. After all, without support, they wouldn’t have been able to continue doing what they do. Info: thefestival.bc.ca. 

Whatcom Grooves
2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, Glenhaven Lakes Clubhouse, 2997 Glenhaven Drive

 Bilongo, a seven-piece Latin jazz group featuring vocalist Sabrina Gomez, kicks off Whatcom County Library System’s Whatcom Grooves Saturday, July 15, at Glenhaven Lakes Clubhouse. The new summer jazz series showcases talented local jazz musicians and celebrates libraries. (Photo courtesy of Whatcom County Library Systems)  

In 2010, jazz aficionado K.C. Sulkin debuted the Sudden Valley Jazz Series as a way to support the South Whatcom Library. Along with the Friends of South Whatcom Library, volunteers from other libraries got on board to bring jazz music to residents throughout Whatcom County.

Whatcom Grooves, a new summer jazz series organized by the Whatcom County Library System, is also aimed at showcasing talented local jazz musicians and celebrating libraries, hearkening back to Sulkin’s original idea to share the joy of music. 

Saturday’s concert kicks off the trio of shows with Bilongo, a seven-piece Latin jazz group featuring vocalist Sabrina Gomez. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, The Jerry Steinhilber Trio will be at the Ferndale Library for the second show. The Jazz Explosion will have its turn in the spotlight at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Blaine Performing Arts Center. 

The free concerts will be complemented by a couple of youth-centered events, Junior Groove: Jazz for Kids. The sessions happen Friday, Aug. 4, at the Ferndale Library and Friday, Aug. 18, at the Blaine Library. Steinhilber will lead youth in grades K–5 in interactive programs to learn about jazz and to try their hand at making some music of their own. Info: wcls.org/jazz. 

NW Art Beat Studio Tour
July 15-16, throughout Skagit County

 Mary Quintrall is one of the many artists taking part in the NW Art Beat Studio Tour happening July 15-16 throughout Skagit County. The free, self-guided tour is put on by Skagit Artists — an organization with a mission to promote the visual arts in the area. (Photo courtesy of Mary Quintrall)  

I’m always looking for excuses to spend time in Skagit County, and this 19th annual event helmed by Skagit Artists — an organization with a mission to promote the visual arts in the area — provides multiple reasons. 

First off, the free, self-guided tour focuses its lens on active art studios featuring juried artists from Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. Art must be shown in a working studio in Skagit County, so visitors are likely to encounter many shared spaces during the two-day event. This gives them an opportunity to discover an artist they may not have been aware of, and opens the door to further creative discussion. 

Another plus about this particular tour is that it gives people an excuse to wander a bit. The 14 studios are located everywhere from Anacortes to La Conner, Mount Vernon, Clear Lake, Conway and Sedro-Woolley, as well as points in between. My advice? Find three or four studios of interest to visit, but don’t try to see everything in one day. Spend enough time to talk to the participating artists and get a behind-the-scenes look at what they’re up to and, if you like what they’re doing, consider purchasing one of their works. Info: nwartbeat.com. 

 Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth students ages 13–17 present “Hush: An Interview With America” at three shows July 14–15 at BAAY Theatre. The play is about “the wild ride of growing up, about struggles of fathers and daughters, and about inner vision and personal voice.” (Photo courtesy of Juliette Machado)  

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FULL CALENDAR 

Friday, July 14

Quilt Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cascade Middle School, Sedro-Woolley
“Journeys” will be the theme of this three-day show taking place through Sunday. In addition to exhibiting 300-plus quilts and fiber art pieces, the Woolley Fiber Quilters event will also feature quilt supply vendors, a member boutique, demos, a scavenger hunt for kids, a raffle quilt and more. Entry is $5. Info: woolleyfiberquilters.blogspot.com. 

Waterfront Makers Market 
2–8 p.m., Bellingham waterfront, 1145 Granary Ave. 
As part of the NW Tune-Up festival, nearly 50 local artists will be showing and selling their wares through Sunday — from soaps to sustainable decor, fine art to food, clothing to candles, jewelry and everything in between. The market is free to enter, even if you’re not attending the festival. Info: bellinghammakersmarket.com. 

Up Up Up Crane Circus 
6 p.m., San Juan County Fairgrounds, San Juan Island
As part of its summer tour, this collective — whose outdoor stage is a flatbed truck — will bring its one-hour all-ages shows to the area, including gigs July 15 on Orcas Island, July 16 on Guemes Island, July 20 on Whidbey Island, and July 23 at the Bellingham Circus Guild. Entry is by donation. Info: upupupinc.com. 

Birchwood International Market 
6–8 p.m., Park Manor lot, 1638 Birchwood Ave. 
Celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Birchwood neighborhood at this monthly event featuring arts and crafts vendors, live music, dance performances, food choices and more. Info: birchwoodneighborhood.org. 

Peter Antoniou 
7 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay Lynden Road 
This “America’s Got Talent” semifinalist returns to Birch Bay for shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $25 to see “psychic comedian.” Info: station49.fun. 

‘Hush: An Interview With America’
7 p.m., BAAY Theatre, 1059 N. State St. 
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth students ages 13–17 will perform this play about “the wild ride of growing up, about struggles of fathers and daughters, and about inner vision and personal voice,” through Saturday. Admission is by donation at the door. Info: baay.org. 

‘The Taming of the Shrew’
7 p.m., Rexville Blackrock Amphitheatre, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon 
Shakespeare NW kicks off its summer season with this timeless comedy by William Shakespeare. The play shows in repertory with another of the Bard’s comedies, “The Tempest,” at various dates through Aug. 12. Tickets are $15–$18. Info: shakesnw.org. 

‘On Golden Pond’ 
7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. 
Family dynamics will be explored during showings of this drama taking place weekends through July 29. The play is set at the summer home of an elderly couple who are taking care of their daughter’s fiancé’s teenage son. Tickets are $25. Info: acttheatre.com. 

‘Legally Blonde!’ 
7:30 p.m., Squalicum High School, 3773 E. McLeod Road 
High school students who are part of the summertime Squalicum Musical Theatre Institute will present this musical through Sunday at the school’s Forum space. The musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Tickets are $15. Info: squalicummusicaltheatre.org. 

‘Gidion’s Knot’
7:30 p.m., FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. 
As part of Bellingham TheatreWorks’ Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre, see this captivating drama tonight and on various dates through July 23. The other two plays on the roster are “Keely and Du” and “What the Constitution Means to Me.” Tickets are $21. Info: bellinghamtheatreworks.org. 

Space Trek
8 p.m., The Upfront Theatre, 207 Prospect St. 
Check out “the final upfrontier” with shows Fridays and Saturdays throughout July. Bard on audience suggestions and familiar tropes, improvisers will take you on a hilarious space adventure. Tickets are $10–$16. Info: theupfront.com. 

Saturday, July 15

Shipwreck Day 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Anacortes 
More than 200 vendors will be taking part in this annual community garage sale (including flea market and antique vendors). Each booth brings something new, and you are sure to find something that you can’t live without. There will also be food stands selling a variety of different cuisines. Entry is free. Info: shipwreckfest.com. 

Bellingham Farmers Market 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. 
Approximately 90 vendors from Whatcom and Skagit counties are on site at this weekly market, which continues every Saturday through Dec. 16. Info: bellinghamfarmers.org. 

Dockside Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Squalicum Harbor, Gate 5
Local fisherfolk will be selling their fresh and frozen wares at this twice-monthly market. Visit the dock early to find the best selection of seafood options. Details and participating vendors and products are posted 24 hours ahead of sale days. Info: bellinghamseafeast.org. 

Art-2-Jazz Street Fair 
10 a.m. to 4 p.m, H and G street plazas
As the culmination of the Blaine Harbor Music Festival, this event will include jazz performances by faculty and students, arts and crafts and local cuisine. For this week only, Blaine’s Market by the Sea will also take place in this local. Entry is free. Info: blaineharbormusicfestival.org. 

Orcas Island Cider and Mead Festival 
11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastsound Village Green 
Sale craft beverages from 11 regional producers at this one-day event, which will also include live music, a farmers market and the chance to learn more about these ancient libations. Proceeds benefit the Orcas Senior Center. Tickets are $40 in advance, more at the door. Info: orcasislandciderfest.org. 

Closing Art Reception 
2–4 p.m., Gallery Syre, 465 W. Stuart Road 
View David Syre’s “Drawings from Greece” and “Images of Cascadia: Through the Lens of Cascadia Daily News photojournalists Andy Bronson and Hailey Hoffman” for the last day. The artists will be on hand at the closing event. Info: gallerysyre.com. 

‘Clytemnestra Has Blood on Her Hands’
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pioneer Park, 2004 Cherry St., Ferndale 
The Unsubdued Theatre Collective presents this original play by Jessica Moreland today and again July 20–21. The production is a retelling of the death of Agamemnon which focuses on Helen, for whom the Trojan War was fought; Cassandra, an unbelieved oracle; and Clytemnestra, the murderer. Entry is free. Info: Facebook.com/unsubduedtheatre. 

Artist Talk 
5:30 p.m., I.E. Gallery, 5800 Cains Court, Edison 
Josh Ryan McDonald will talk about his first solo exhibit, “Terrebonne,” which is on display through July. He works in geometric form using oil and cold wax to build his paintings. Entry is free. Info: ieedison.com. 

Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema
6:30 p.m., Fairhaven Village Green
Quickdraw String Band will perform at this summer film series before “Mamma Mia!” screens at sunset. The music and movies continue Saturday nights through Aug. 26. Entry is $7–$8. Concessions will be available for purchase. Info: enjoyfairhaven.com. 

Flicks in the Park 
9 p.m., Pioneer Village, 2004 Cherry St., Ferndale
As part of Ferndale’s Summer of Fun events, watch “Back to the Future” after the sun goes down. Admission is free. Info: cityofferndale.org. 

Sunday, July 16

Skagit City School Picnic 
1–4 p.m., Skagit City School, 17508 Moore Road, Mount Vernon
Skagit County Historical Museum presents this annual event featuring games, food, plus a Skagit-focused trivia contest and live music with Wayne Hayton. Info: skagitcounty.net/museum. 

Carol McMillan 
4 p.m., Village Books, 1200 11th St.
Hear McMillan read from “Scriptless: A Memoir,” which recounts her life in her early 20s in San Francisco during the unrest and upheaval of the late 1960s. The tome follows the journey of a sheltered suburban white girl who ventures out to try marijuana and dance to Janis Joplin during the Summer of Love in the Bay Area. Entry is $5–$22. Info: villagebooks.com. 

Summer Concerts Series 
6–8 p.m., Riverfront Park, Sedro-Woolley 
The Brittany Collins Band kicks off this seasonal event. In addition to music, find food and art vendors, games, hula hoops, a beer garden, face-painting and a charity raffle. Entry is free. Additional events take place July 23 (The Naughty Blokes), July 30 (Lazy Acres), and Aug. 6 (Fortress of the Bear). Info: kriss@rothenbuhlereng.com. 

Tuesday, July 18

Bellingham Festival of Music Finale
7 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Western Washington University
Conner Gray Covington will conduct the final concert of this year’s classical music series. Covington’s program will feature Anna Clyne’s “This Midnight Hour,” Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with pianist Michelle Cann, Mendelssohn’s Overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Ravel’s “Mother Goose” (complete ballet). Tickets are $47–$57. Info: bellinghamfestival.org. 

Thursday, July 20

Barkley Market
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Barkley Village Green, 2215 Rimland Drive
Local vendors will be on-site for this weekly market, which continues Thursdays through Aug. 31. Additionally, there will be live music and food truck options for lunch, so bring the family along for a picnic. Info: barkleyvillage.com. 

Riverwalk Summer Concert Series
6–8 p.m., Riverwalk Plaza, Mount Vernon
The Enthusiasts will perform tonight as part of this free, all-ages series, which takes place every Thursday through August and features a mix of family-friendly local and regional artists. Info: mountvernonchamber.com. 

Commercial Street Block Party
6–9 p.m., 1300 block of Commercial Street 
“Pride Continues” will be the theme of this monthly summer event. Spotlights will include queer-owned businesses and drag performances, as well as face painting, chalk art, games, flow arts, food trucks, small business shopping and more. Info: downtownbellingham.com. 

The GBU
7:30 p.m., The Upfront Theatre, 207 Prospect St.
Bellingham’s longest-running improv show, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” takes place every Thursday, featuring a rotating performance format and guest players. Tickets are $10–$15. Info: theupfront.com. 

Menace on the Mic
8:30 p.m., Menace Brewing, 2529 Meridian St.
Want to take a chance at performing stand-up comedy? Show up early to sign up for your spot, then stick around to see the action unfold. The free event takes place every other Thursday. Info: menacebrewing.com. 

Saturday, July 22

Summer MakersFest
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Transit Shed Event Center, 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes
Creative Avenue NW will host this celebration of homegrown art and all things handmade. Shop more than 50 local vendors with art, photography, jewelry, stained glass, apparel, stickers, fresh-baked desserts and more. Entry is free. Info: creativeavenuenw.com. 

Summer Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m, Home Farm, 8020 Kickerville Road, Blaine
More than 60 local artisans will be selling their wares at this monthly event. The event will also feature free tractor train rides for kids, self-guided farm tours, u-pick blueberries, live music, food trucks, face painting, an inflatable play area and more. Info: homefarm.farm. 

Old Town Art Stroll
Noon to 5 p.m., downtown Bellingham
Meander through the Old Town district to peruse galleries, studios, pop-up art markets, performances and more. The free, family-friendly event takes started in June and now takes place on the fourth Saturday of every month. To find out how to take part, email Rebecca Meloy. Info: rebeccameloy.com. 

Jam on the River
Noon to 8:30 p.m., Centennial Riverwalk Park, Ferndale
Live music, carnival games, vendors, food trucks and a beer garden will be part of this free, family-friendly festival taking place along the river. Info: Ferndale-chamber.com. 

Semiahmoo Sips
2–4 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine
Every Saturday, head to a special wine tasting hosted in the Semiahmoo Wine Cellar, where a sommelier pours samples of four different wines from a rotating menu. Charcuterie and cheeses to pair with the wines are also available for purchase. Entry is $20 per person, and no registration is required. Attendees receive 15% off their cellar bottle of choice. Info: semiahmoo.com. 

Before heading out to attend in-person happenings, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.

The A-List appears weekly. To submit an event for consideration, email calendar@cascadiadaily.com. 

Citeline Appoints Clinrol as Strategic Clinical Trial Partner Across APAC Region

In many ways, a building is the lead character in this story. 

The building in question is no mere building, of course, but more an artifact with an actual aura — both a historic marker and a living relic without which Eugene would not quite be Eugene.

Located on 13th Avenue between Mill and Ferry streets, within spitting distance of the University of Oregon campus, the Wilcox Building is home to the former Bijou Art Cinemas, now redubbed and revitalized as the Art House.

Its name is bluntly fitting: every small-to-medium, liberal-minded college town worth its salt does — or at least should — have an “art house,” a quirky independent theater that serves up a heady dose of foreign, cult, old, new and otherwise hip and artsy films.

Architecturally speaking, the place is an anomaly up here in brutalist Niketown: An unlikely example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, with its white stucco walls, vaulted ceilings, cathedral windows and inner courtyard, the building looks like a transplant from the NorCal gold rush — say, from Mission San Juan Batista, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed the final scenes of his 1958 masterpiece Vertigo.

The reference is fitting, because Vertigo — remastered, cleaned up and splashed huge on a big new screen — is exactly the kind of gem the Art House might feature during a Hitchcock retrospective.

When the Bijou suddenly closed its doors in March 2021, smack in the middle of the pandemic (which, obviously, hit movie theaters particularly hard), a chill went through Eugene’s population of devout cinephiles. The theater had been the area’s hub of independent, auteur and foreign films since 1981, from British historical dramas and Scandinavian bummers to cult hits, offbeat documentaries and grindhouse classics, and everything in-between.

“The Bijou closing was big news,” says Ed Schiessl, the managing director of the newly minted Art House. “Everybody knows it shut down, but they don’t know it reopened.”

Schiessl has history with the place, to say the least. One of his first jobs in high school was as a projectionist and night manager of the Bijou, in 1998; from there he became a co-owner in 2010, then expanded to open the Broadway Metro downtown in 2013, which he still manages; then split off from the Bijou in 2016; and in August 2022, Schiessl took the leap of reopening the moribund Bijou as the Art House.

One of his first goals was to revamp the aging and sometimes creaky features of the moviehouse, including replacing the cramped seating as well as installing new projection and sound systems in both theaters. “We’re upgraded and we’re comfortable,” Schiessl says.

For anyone who frequented the old Bijou, the updates are welcome and often stunning, traipsing a delicate balance between honoring the history of the place and giving it a modern yet retro-cool updating — including the pomo-vintage movie posters by local outfit Blunt Graffix adorning the walls of Auditorium 1, the Art House’s main theater.

“Like a lot of community members, we didn’t want to see such a meaningful cultural institution slip away,” says Schiessl, who honored the Bijou’s heritage by incorporating the theater’s beloved late cat, Boo, into the Art House logo. “Having invested so much of our lives into the Bijou, it really felt like our responsibility as its former stewards to step in and save it, again.”

Louise Thomas is the Art House’s promotional director. Like Schiessl, she has a long association with the theater, having been instrumental in the running of the original Bijou; in fact, she was already there, working behind the scenes (as it were) when Schiessl was brought aboard as a teenager.

Perhaps the foremost historian of the building and the theater’s storied existence, Thomas also says she felt a strong sense of duty in making sure the place survived as a cultural entity. “Since its shutdown during the quarantine,” she says, “those of us who have long been associated with the Bijou have been beset by questions about its ultimate disposition. Certainly this suggests that there is a Bijou-shaped hole in Eugene’s cultural landscape.”

Thomas explains that the building’s owner, Jan Rush, reached out last year in order to let her and Schiessl know that the previous owners had terminated their lease, and that she, Rush, was insistent and supportive of efforts to keep the theater going.

“She clearly understood how important the Bijou is to the community,” Thomas says of Rush, “and that the original Bijou folks from the ‘80s and ‘90s possess the authentic heart, soul and vision to sustain what makes that space unique while adapting to modern tech and market conditions.”

As the saying goes, where there’s a will there’s a way, but the way can be twisty, precipitous and fraught with obstacles. In the case of the Art House, those obstacles are significant, if not outright Sisyphean, which both Schiessl and Thomas acknowledge. Not only is there the notorious and industry-wide shrinkage of moviegoing audiences thanks to the pandemic and its slow, halting recovery, but there have been tectonic changes in the economics and distribution within the movie industry itself — everything from the advent of streaming services to the mainstream marketing of independent movies to big cineplexes, and beyond.

Add to this the local and sometimes parochial confusion about the demise and current state of the old Bijou, and the Art House — despite the brains, passion and legacy behind its revitalization — can be fighting a sort of tabula rasa situation, inventing itself anew against a slew of entrenched expectations. In short, news of the theater’s death has been greatly exaggerated, and in fact the current crew is doing everything it can to bring the moviehouse thriving into this strange new world.

“While the timing is not ideal… attendance for indie theaters has only rebounded to about 60 percent of what it was pre-pandemic… there was never any question about whether we needed to step up and rescue the theater,” Thomas says.

“Things are getting better, but slowly,” says Schiessl, who points out that the Broadway Metro itself survived the downturn with a series of emergency grants and loans as well as “side hustles” like home delivery, Blu-ray rentals and private screenings during the pandemic shutdown. “It’s going to take a long time to really see what the permanent fallout on indie theaters is post-pandemic, but for now we can see that there’s very little audience support for the kind of indie and art-house programming that historically sustained theaters like the Bijou.”

As with many businesses rocked by the economic and social disruptions of the coronavirus, the team behind the Art House has been forced to pivot, and is still in the process of doing so. While maintaining a traditional line-up of indie, repertory and foreign films, along with some first-run hits, Schiessl landed upon the idea of funding dedicated film series — sort of mini film fests — through Kickstarter campaigns. Already the Art House has featured career retrospectives from David Lynch and the Italian master Federico Fellini.

“In both cases,” Schiesslsays, “supporters pledged enough tickets to fund out-of-pocket costs of the series up front. The crowdfunding model has been an inspiration in many ways. It acts not only as a positive feedback loop for our programming, but also as a community builder… It’s a unique opportunity, in that we can float some unusual ideas and know if the community is on board without taking a huge financial risk.”

Such community engagement, Schiessl says, is crucial not only in getting people back to the movies but in positioning the space itself as a cultural hub, which is a big part of his focus. On that front, the Art House has already hosted live music in its larger auditorium. The idea is to foster a sense that the theater is something of an artistic hub, where folks can see anything  from concerts and live broadcast of the National Theater and Met Opera, to art exhibitions on screen and literary readings.

“At this moment,” Schiessl says, “I’m pretty focused on keeping a lively film schedule and ramping up live music and community events. But on a long enough timeline, I’d like to make this a place where cinephiles and other artists and aesthetes come for an espresso or a beer, even when they’re not seeing a show.”

In this regard, the building itself, preserved but improved, is perhaps its own best advertisement and incentive to explore new possibilities. “The Wilcox building is a really unique and beautiful venue,” Thomas says, “but it’s always had a lot of unrealized potential. It’s our intention to invite the community back into a reinvented space with a much broader scope of opportunities and events than have been possible before.

“Things were in rough shape when we took possession of the space last winter,” she continues, “but after several months of cleaning and repairs, it’s never felt more inviting.”

Eugene Art House is at 492 E 13th Avenue. For further information and events, visit EugeneArtHouse.com. 

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WLUC) – The Great Lakes Recovery Center LIVE Art & Word contest is open now, with a slight difference.

This began as a contest for high school students, but adults have asked to join over the years. This particular version of the contest is available to anyone age 18 or older living in the Upper Peninsula.

Amy Poirier, GLRC Community Relations and Marketing director, said this contest is designed to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.

“If we can get those images out there and get people talking about what mental health means to them and suicide prevention, that just helps to break the stigma down a little bit more,” said Poirier.

Each entry must address Mental Health Awareness and be visual art or a word piece. Pieces can be submitted online.

The deadline to enter the contest is September 30. There is a $10 entry fee. The winner will also receive a cash prize.

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