Olympia, Washington, epicenter of Washington state government, is also the site of a makeshift art gallery. Within the State Capitol building, up in the North Gallery is House Representative Zack Hudgins’ office, and for this legislation session, its walls are decorated with works by South Park artists.

In mid- January, a crew of four SPArtians loaded up two vehicles worth of the most fabulous art and trekked down south to hang it up. Our congressman, Rep. Hudgins is an avid art supporter, and his legislative aid, Doug Honma worked with us throughout the process. The art is displayed in a shared reception area and in Rep. Hudgins’ office. You’ll see photographs, ceramics, letterpress, painting, neon, quilts, sculpture, collage, even an amazing rendition of our South Park Bridge rendered in fabric. Check out the sixteen artists participating in the show:

Cathy Chase: cast glass

Carol Clifford: letterpress

Koko Dahlquist: neon

Lisa DeWilde: prints of watercolors

Catherine Grisez: prints of sculpture/jewelry

Paul Hagopian: paintings

Missy James: ceramics

Elizabeth Knopf: prints

Colleen Lindsey: fabric art

Samantha Malay: collage

Bill Pease: sculpture

Kyle Rees: sculpture

Amaranta Sandys: ceramics

Bonnie Stenzel: quilts

Kristin Tollefson: sculpture

Wendy Woldenberg: prints of same sex wedding rings

If you’re in Olympia doing your civic duty, make sure to stop by Zack’s office. If you want to visit specifically to see the art, it’s probably best to call first: 360.786.7956. We’re also planning a small closing reception when the session ends, sometime in late April.

It’s time to unveil this year’s T shirt design, and oh how we love it so. Created by our very own Elizabeth Knopf, the design features South Park animals doing South Park things. Observe:

Our South Park Menagerie, by Elizabeth Knopf

There’s the goose working on her game for South Park Putts Out · the pit bull chomping on a chew toy from a South Park tire shop · the champion chicken Luchedore · the raccoon after a day of constructing the South Park bridge (or deconstructing your garbage can) · the Yo Quiero TacoTruck chihuahua · and the salmon excited for fishing season.

The whole idea came from a night at Loretta’s, a LiquorDoodle night where South Park Artists socialize and create with the help of adult beverages. Elizabeth took all the crazy ideas and made them come to life in her sketch pad. The best part, of course, is you can own this design too. Want to see the design on actual clothing? on actual human beings? Check out these hotties:

The design will be available as a print and a greeting card at Elizabeth’s booth too. Don’t miss the sale and miss out on a chance to own one of these gems. If you can’t make the sale, contact jen@southparkarts.org and we’ll talk sizes, colors, availability. See you Saturday!

We’re thrilled to announce this year’s artists selling at Art Under $100…

Jodee Adams-Moore: Handmade Pottery
Rebecca Aldrich: Tiny Wearable Metal Art
Jill Amsberry: Recycled Clothing for Smalls
Sean Balko: Fine Art Photography
Bonnie Bennedsen: Watercolor Paintings and Cards
Jennifer Bennett: Jewelry
Cathy Chase and Cammi Chase: Glass, Jewelry
Carol Clifford: Letterpress
Wren and Aaron Crosleycone: Salts
Koko Dahlquist: Neon
Carol Rose Dean: Clay Tile and Bowls
Lisa DeWilde: Cards, Prints, Ornaments
Lawn Daisies (Katy Ellis and Janine Lange): Upcycled Wearables Childrens Bowls
Catherine Grisez: Jewelry
Lettie Haggard: Garden Angels
Paul Hagopian: Acrylic Paintings
Ken Hall: Functional Wooden Wares
Boba Jankovic: Jewelry
Elizabeth Knopf and Jason Frost: Wearable Art and Illustrations
Elise Koncsek: Perspectives on Beautiful Realism
Judy Lane: Mixed Media and Photographs
Colleen Lindsey: Fabric Arts, Recycled Cashmere
Andrea and David Lisch: Hand-Forged Metal Art
Melissa Misoda: Hand-Blown Glass
Leslie Nan Moon: Linocuts
Cyn Moore: Necklaces of Vintage Maps
Rusty Oliver: Industrial Art
Leah Pastrana: Vintage Inspired Jewels
Jenna Pool: Photography On Sustainable Woodblock
Kyle Rees: Jewelry
Amaranta Sandys: Dia de Muertos Milagros and Angels
Jessie Slagle: Hair and Fashion Accessories
Deborah Stachowic: Encaustic Paintings
Carmen Stark: Refurbished/ Reworked Vintage Jewelry
Bonnie Stenzel: Toys and Fabric Art
Sandy Thatcher: Functional Porcelain Pottery
Kristin Tollefson: Small Sculptures and Wearables
Priscilla Vassao: Silver Jewelry
Amanda White: Jewelry, ornaments, blankets
Anita Williamson: Chipboard Mini-Albums
Jason Williamson: Wooden toys and gifts
Wendy Woldenberg: Jewelry

When: Saturday, December 1st from 3-9 pmSome of our very favorite artists plus new to AU100 artists! Remember the deets:

• Where: South Park Community Center at 8319 8th Ave S. Seattle WA 98108
• FYIs: Free admission / Some artists accept only cash or check / Limited parking at the site but pretty abundant street parking
• And the fun stuff: A live DJ, kid’s crafts with The Makery and a raffle every 30 minutes! Seriously. It’s crazy. Seriously.

Here’s the Facebook invite if you’d like to pass along to your friends and famz.

Designed by our very own Catherine Grisez

Hey Artists~

It’s that time of year. The AU100_2012_Application2 is now available!

Gather the best pix of your art, fill out the form, print it and send it in. Full instructions are in the document. Submission deadline is September 25th! Don’t miss out on the extreme mirth that is Art Under $100.

Art Under $100! Aw yeah!

The chosen 2012 Putt Putt artists are fine-tuning their holes. Granted, we have absolutely no idea what to expect, but check out the variety with these hole names!

• Vertigo
• Don’t Pollute!
• Wheel Think of Something
• Daphne’s Water Hazard
• Seamonster
• 3-2-1 Lift Off!
• Cockroach Roller Coaster
• Pinball Madness
• Robots Versus
• Row in One
• Above the Influence
• Zombies!

We can say with certainty your neighbors are looking forward to a civilized yet spirited round of play with you. Come out to Thistle Greens this Tuesday from 6 – 9. On Thistle, just across the street from the Community Center!

Check Out The Intensity