Art Chowder November | December, Issue 18 | Page 67

F
rom Spokane Arts’ perspective, 2018 has
been our busiest year yet. For a more complete
summary of all the ways we’ve been working to
advance arts and culture in our region, look for
our annual report this winter. In the meantime,
here are a few highlights.

REGIONAL REPORT
SPOKANE ARTS COMMISSION
In May, Spokane Arts partnered with the
50 Hour Slam to integrate local visual artists’
work into the slam. Four artists — Reinaldo Gil
Zambrano, Mariah Boyle, Vanessa Swenson,
and Lisa Waddle — each created one piece of
artwork to inspire the filmmakers, who were
challenged to incorporate a nod to one art piece
in their film. It was an incredible, energetic
process of pairing artists of different disciplines
with one another for amazing results.
Music Video Jams is a music video festival and
competition, pairing local filmmakers with local
musicians to create new, collaborative work.
In the first year, seven teams of filmmakers
and musicians participated, and organizers
hope to expand that next year. Check out the
Music Video Jams page on Facebook to view
the videos, including the winner of both the
Audience Choice and Judge’s Choice awards,
“Stories” by BaLonely. All of the music videos
will also air on CMTV14.
TheaterFest:
Another new annual event,
TheaterFest is a preview of the upcoming
performing arts season in theater, dance, music,
improv, and more, featuring short performances,
interactive activities, and workshops. The event
is free and includes all-ages; over 700 attendees
were drawn to the Fox Theater in August 2018.
Mark your calendar for August 25, 2019, and keep an eye out for an open call for performing arts groups interested in
participating. The call will likely open in early 2019. www.spokanetheaterfest.com
SATURATE is a citywide effort to call attention to Spokane’s diverse yet under-recognized artists. Looking ahead to 2019,
during the entire month of April, many arts venues large and small will simultaneously feature artwork, curatorial projects,
and performances led by people of color. Leading up to the monthlong showcase, SATURATE coordinator Remelisa Cullitan
is hosting monthly meetups every third Thursday from 6-7 p.m. at the Saranac Art Gallery. These are open gatherings for
people of color in any artistic discipline to meet, make connections, find support, share work, collaborate, discuss issues, and
more. Volunteers and those who would like to support the efforts of artists of color are welcome to join as well.
November |December 2018
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