A view of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Courtesy Visit Seattle.
The Pacific Northwest, encompassing Washington and Oregon, is a region like no other. And its two main metropolitan cities, Portland and Seattle, simply bleed creativity. In addition to the rainy vibes, which add their own layer of melodrama, both cities are awash in the scents of fresh coffee and the work of street performers, musicians and artists. There likely isn’t a street corner in either of these cities that isn’t dazzled in some way with the imaginations of artists who’ve stepped foot there.
In Seattle, visitors and art lovers can gallivant around Pike Place Market exploring the myriad of public art on the walls and alleyways, as well as the Market’s famous bronze sculpture, Rachel the Pig. Seattle Art Museum has three major facilities, with its main building located downtown. The museum, which features the colossal Hammering Man at its entrance, has a growing collection of nearly 25,000 works from across the world, including everything from antiques and historic works to contemporary art. At Seattle Center, visitors will find what is considered to be the largest exhibit of glass art by Dale Chihuly, an otherworldly “garden” of blown-glass botanicals.
The Seattle Art Fair happens every August, allowing collectors and art lovers the chance to explore artwork from nearly 100 local, national and international exhibitors. The event recently celebrated its five year milestone this past August.
In Kirkland across Lake Washington is Parklane Gallery, showcasing works from 40 Pacific Northwest-based artists. Arts institutions can be found throughout the state of Washington, including the Tacoma Art Museum, Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds and the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner. Also located in La Conner is bronze and wood sculptor Peregrine O’Gormley.
Traveling south to the sister state of Oregon, art aficionados will find a wonderland of art, culture and creativity. Founded in late 1892, Portland Art Museum is among the oldest museums in the Pacific Northwest, boasting a collection of more than 50,000 objects. The distinguished collection is known for its art of the Native peoples of North America as well as graphic arts and more. Downtown’s Pearl District has a vibrant art scene, with art spaces including the Art Institute of Portland and a number of events happening each month such as the First Thursday Art Walk.
During Portland Open Studios—held this year on October 12, 13, 19 and 20—nearly 100 artists open their studios to the public, providing a unique educational opportunity for people to observe and learn the creative practices of these artists.
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Artwork by Peregrine O’Gormley at Gerald Peters Gallery. Photo by Robert Buelteman.
Peregrine O’Gormley
P.O. Box 513, La Conner, WA 98257
peregrine@peregrineogormley.com
www.peregrineogormley.com
Bronze and wood sculptor Peregrine O’Gormley lives and works from his studio on their small farm in La Conner, Washington, with his wife and three children. O’Gormley incorporates imagery from the natural world in his serious and, at times, whimsical depictions of the human experience. His work focuses on those elements of human nature and experience that we seek to share with others.
Additionally, O’Gormley’s work often references global human impact. He finds inspiration in his natural surroundings and in shared experiences with the living world. O’Gormley has worked with wood as his primary medium for decades, though in recent years, sculpting in stone is becoming significant in his new work. Chief curator at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, Greg Robinson, describes O’Gormley’s work as, “Third generation Northwest School.” It engages the timeless imagery of natural forms in articulating a fusion between the natural world and the human world.
Peregrine O’Gormley, New Eyes, bronze, ed. of 9, 10 x 5 x 10"
Peregrine O’Gormley, Scythe, bronze, ed. of 9, 32 x 18 x 30"
Recent awards for the artist include the Pat Munson Prize for Avian Sculpture at the National Sculpture Society’s 82nd and 84th annual Awards Exhibition and more. O’Gormley’s work can be seen in upcoming juried and invitational exhibitions across the country including Western Visions at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the National Sculpture Society’s Annual Awards Exhibition, Birds in Art at Leigh Yawkey-Woodson Art Museum, ArtsThrive at the Albuquerque Museum and the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale.
O’Gormley is represented by Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison, Washington, and Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Parklane Gallery in downtown Kirkland, Washington, is artist owned and operated.
Parklane Gallery
130 Park Lane, Kirkland, WA 98033
info@parklanegallery.org
www.parklanegallery.org
Parklane Gallery has been at the heart of the Seattle area fine art community since 1991. Located across Lake Washington in beautiful downtown Kirkland, its 40 Northwest artists provide a rich diversity of media and styles, both contemporary and traditional, which includes paintings, photography, digital art, glass and artisan jewelry.
Gallery artists run all aspects of the business and are informative and helpful to first-time visitors as well as established collectors. Park Lane, the short cobblestone street in front of the gallery, was recently named one of five “Great Places” by the American Planning Association due to its urban design and walkability. The street is a beacon for residents and tourists alike with public sculptures, boutique shops and sidewalk cafes. 
Art on view in Parklane Gallery.
The galley hosts two featured artist shows each month as well as juried shows for local, national and international artists. In May, Parklane Gallery hosted its 27th annual Miniature Show with more than 300 small pieces of art from around the world. In September, the gallery presents Anything Goes, a juried exhibition showcasing two-dimensional art from American artists.
Parklane Gallery’s website is constantly evolving to include current and future events in the gallery, brief biographies of its artist members and an online store page with photographs of every piece of art currently available. —
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