Artists came from as close as Seattle to as far away as the United Kingdom to take part in the BAM (Bellevue Arts Museum) Arts Fair July 26-28 at Bellevue Square.
A panel selected the artists for the show by looking at photos of their work, but not knowing their name. There were jewelers, painters, textile artists, woodworkers, pottery artists, photographers and even a clockmaker.
Douglas Chalk, his wife and his wife’s sister are the creative hands behind Clever Clocks. Unlike any clocks you’ve ever seen, many incorporate geometric designs that line up at only certain hours. Framed in poplar wood, Chalk’s clocks were drawing a big crowd.
“We make 120 clocks a week,” he said.
At the event, one customer bought three of each clock he had on display.
Nicario Jimenez must be a very patient man, judging by the intricate work in his Retablos, a Peruvian art form. He creates colorful narratives with little figurines made from boiled potatoes and plaster of Paris. Jimenez now lives in Naples, Fla., but one of his pieces is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution. He said this was his fourth time at BAM Arts Fair.
Gina Freuen of Spokane has been participating in this show since 1985. Her one-of-a-kind stoneware was selling well.
“So far I’ve got my expenses covered,” Freuen said.
Woodworkers and furniture makers were well represented. Michael Hamilton of Boise, Idaho, has been creating custom wood designs for 30 years. His boxes and display cabinets also are available at Northwest Woodworkers Gallery in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Austin Heitzman, a furniture maker from Portland, also has his work represented at Northwest Woodworkers Gallery.
“I get a lot of traffic at this show,” Heitzman said.
He said he works with whatever wood he can get his hands on. On display was a jewelry armoire he made from the wood of a rhododendron, with legs made from Port Orford Cedar.
Another furniture maker, Steve Henneford from Lakeshore, Mont., displayed an unusual rocker-recliner made from walnut and leather. Henneford offered Sammamish City Council member Don Gerend a pillow as he tested it out. Gerend seemed quite comfy.
Then there were the clothiers, including Marla Duran, a finalist on season two of the show “Project Runway.”
“I made it about half-way through the season,” she said.
She came from Bethlehem, Pa. Since there were no dressing rooms, women were ducking behind her clothing racks to pull on skirts and dresses.
Leslee Ann Burtt and Chris Warren from Portland, Ore., were weaving baskets while many of their works were on display. Using cedar bark, sea grass, hemp and the reeds from rattan palm, their baskets were functional and beautiful.
There was plenty of food, and fun for everyone. Two talented performance artists continually made the rounds using various objects which made music or interesting sounds, often dancing. And a sunny day made it all the better.
