EllesSAM: Eye-opening

My first impression of Elles: look how far we've come as artists...

and how much we have to say. I visited the Seattle Art Museum's mega-exhibit of women artists with the perfect companion: Anna Nasset of AOT Gallery in Port Townsend!

Since we came to see art through a feminine lens, I made us some lady goggles to celebrate. Women's art history is sorta [her] thang" from her college days. Speaking of history, here's Adrian Piper's 1988 video installation Cornered, challenging the viewer's assumptions about racial identity.

The edginess of this piece seems dated to me. Yet Jenny Holzer's text pieces from earlier in the 1980s spoke to me more effectively, possibly because viewers can't avoid issues of survival like they can avoid discussing subtle racism.

Jenny Holzer, from The Survival Series

There are two halves to this exhibit: Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou and Elles: SAM -- Singular Works by Seminal Women Artists. So you'll see work from big names like Georgia O'Keeffe...

... Tamara de Lempicka...

and Frida Kahlo in one show. (The Frida piece was so tiny -- only about 11 inches high!)

When you go, make time to really explore the exhibit if you can. SAM is also featuring women artists at the SAM Gallery, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park as well. You have one month left to see it, so break out your calendar and make room for some amazing women.

Things to do this weekend: merry and bright

You guys would be so proud of me: I'm getting over my anti-Holiday-Atmosphere stance and putting up holiday decorations!

But if you want to see a real Seattle-style winter wonderland, head to the Green Lake Pathway of Lights. Now that's Holiday Cheer.

Courtesy Seattle Parks & Recreation Department

Every second Saturday in December, volunteers light up the water's edge with luminarias. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department provides warm drinks and treats, as well as local musicians performing live at four sites around the lake. Might want to get there early -- on this night Green Lake is about as popular as it usually is on a sunny day. Details:

WHEN: Saturday, December 8, 5pm-8pm. Feel free to bring your own lights too!
WHERE: Green Lake Park, 7201 E. Greenlake Dr. North, Seattle
COST: Free!
MORE INFO: find out the musical line-up at Pathway of Lights

If you'd rather be inside on a frosty night, head over to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and warm up with Afro-Peruvian rhythms. Here's a snippet from rehearsals.

Tomorrow -- and tonight! -- the de Cajon Project arts organization presents dance, music and poetry in "De Inga y Mandinga," performances celebrating mixed-race heritage from the perspective of Peruvians of African descent.

The tribute features major Peruvian artists such as singer Marina Lavalle appearing in four performances, so you have multiple chances to immerse yourself in the show. Details:

WHEN: Friday, December 7, 10:30m and 7:30pm
Saturday, December 8, 2pm and 7:30pm
WHERE:  Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
MORE INFO: LHPAC and de Cajon Project

And if you stop in for Expresso open mic tonight, it'll be easy for you to find your way back for de Inga y Mandinga tomorrow. Lots of opportunities to make a cold weekend merry and bright.

Art fair prep: Three things to remember

This time of year, many of the artists I know -- hi Clarissa Callesen! -- are knee-deep in art and craft fairs: buying as well as selling.

Clarissa Callesen's booth, PNA Winter Festival & Craft Fair

For those about to buy, I salute you. And I thank both artists and collectors for teaching me a few things when I visited the PNA Winter Festival and Craft Fair, a yearly Seattle show featuring more than a hundred vendors.

First: Make something.

You'll be there a while, so you might as well follow Gina McCauley's example and get some work done. Plus it's a conversation starter, if you're not the type to bite someone's head off if they ask a question.

Gina McCauley, aka Mama Snooter

Everyone's curious to know what artists do all day. You know, besides the whole bonbon-eating thing. Show them.

Second: Light 'em up.

Yeah, even if you're indoors, even if you're not selling jewelry that needs to sparkle a bit more. I know some exhibition places charge extra for electricity, but if not... hey, it's not just moths who can't resist bright lights.

Third: Deep, cleansing breaths.

If you can, claim the booth nearest to a source of fresh air. When the room gets stuffy, I bet you become the most popular artist around.

Best of luck to all my favorite art entrepreneurs! Where are you selling your wares this season? Let everyone know in the comments and on Facebook.