Art in the Garden Bash & Garden Tour
Featured Artists
JENNIFER BOWMAN
Jennifer Bowman is an award-winning acrylic artist who has been exhibiting professionally for 30 years. You may have seen her art on the 2020 and 2004 Tulip Festival posters. She also did the 300-foot mural at Tulip Town. Her art is in 185 galleries across the nation and can be found in private, public, and corporate collections, both nationally and internationally. She has been published in various publications including North-light and Quarto Art books, Washington’s Heirloom Birth Certificate and 48 Degrees North. Her work has graced the cover of an Eddie Bauer’s Catalog; been featured in Condé Nast - The World of Interiors Sept and Oct.; 2017, 19; Cover artist for ‘Pratique des Arts’ French art Magazine and a featured Artist Article in International Artist Magazine.
She has been a festival poster artist for Edmonds, Anacortes, Skagit Tulip Festival:2004 and 2020, 3 Whidbey Island Race Weeks, 4 Windermere Regattas and Bellingham’s Pitch regatta.
MARGARET HORAK
Margaret finds inspiration daily in the natural beauty of Skagit County. She also frequently creates commissioned works based on a client’s idea or image. She has created numerous posters and flyers for local events and has donated art works to many worthy local non-profit organizations and causes.
You can find Margaret teaching watercolor painting at Mystic Art Supply in La Conner, WA. Contact her for dates and times.
You’ll notice that her work is generally not under glass. She uses a cold wax technique that protects the art as well as making it easier to see without the glare.
Margaret is a member of the Urban Sketchers, Anacortes Sketchers group, Skagit Artists, and The Painted Ladies (a watercolor group). She plans to continue her lifelong passion of artistic discovery through painting and music. Look for Margaret on Facebook (@marghhorak), Instagram (@marghorak) and online at www.margarethorak.com
Contact Margaret at:
marghorak@yahoo.com
360-708-8051
COLLEEN NYGARD
Colleen Nygard is an artist based on Camano Island, Washington whose art is praised for its beauty, quality and attention to detail. Colleen has participated in the Camano Island Studio Tour for the past several years and has received several local awards and recognition for her artwork. Colleen’s art style is a beautiful blend of painterly realism and impressionism, primarily focusing on the natural world of the Pacific Northwest.
Colleen's captivating forest paths transport the viewer into a world of peace and tranquility that reminds us to slow down and breathe deeper- and to perhaps shift our perspective toward hope that is waiting there for us just around the corner.
Colleen's vivid flower paintings are a joyful celebration of color and beauty; they are a reflection of her creativity, love of color and playful spirit. Colleen believes that a person is never done learning in their journey through life, but can always seek out new ways to see the world that make for consistent improvement and inspiration.
A self-taught artist, who previously had to find time for art only between life's busy schedule, found herself ‘retired' about ten years ago with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. But since then, Colleen has decided to choose daily to focus on the positives- like having enough free time to paint every single day, to enjoy family and her garden, but especially sharing art with new friends and supporters.
DAMIAN VINES
My name is Damian Vines. I am a professional commercial photographer based in the Pacific NW. Most of my everyday work is real estate photography and videography, however, my astrophotography hobby is what truly inspires me and is what I’m most passionate about. Photographing and learning about the wonders of our universe is a never ending and ever challenging pursuit.
When I was young and looked up at the night sky I used to feel so small… My father and I would watch Cosmos, the Carl Sagan show on PBS. Watching that show and seeing the imagery of those other worldly celestial bodies gave me my first real sense of wonder. It’s the first time I remember wanting to learn more about something. Fast forward 40 years, I now have the capability to take the types of photographs that gave me such wonder as a child. I have a closer connection to the universe and I don’t feel so small anymore.
It wasn’t until I started photographing these celestial bodies that I realized how large some of these objects are. The size of some of the nebulas you see here would take up the size of 4 or 6 full moons in size. We just can’t see them with our naked eye because they aren’t bright enough, there is too much light pollution, or they are predominately composed of gasses that our eyes don’t have the capacity to see very well. All of the photos you see here were taken right here in my backyard in the Skagit Valley. You can learn more about the process on the placard on the wall. It would be quite a visual spectacle if we could look up and actually see what’s been right there the whole time. The camera equipment I use and the processing techniques I employ allow me to photograph these majestic objects in our universe. It makes me feel more connected to the universe.
LIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
White Ribbon Garden at Maibon Manor
11:00-11:45 - Backyard Brass
12:00-12:45 - Backyard Brass
1:00-1:45 - Esprit Joyeux
2:00-2:45 - Esprit Joyeux
3:00-4:00 - Brian Coyne-Cello
Laurel House Farm
11:00-12:00 - Coyne Duo
12:00-12:45 - Coyne Duo
1:00-1:45 - Harmony Northwest
1:45-2:45 - Skagit Brass Quintet
3:00-4:00 - Skagit Brass Quintet
Benson Farmstead
11:00-4:00 - Shakespearean Mini-Globe
11:00-11:45 - Alhambra
11:45-12:30 - Cascade Keys
12:30-1:15 - Alhambra
1:15-2:00 - The Treble Makers
2:15-3:00 - Goldfinch Quartet
3:15-4:00 - Goldfinch Quartet
Calf Barn: Art, Wine & Shortcake
11:00-12:00 - TBD
12:15-1:15 - Theater Arts Guild Performers
1:30-2:15 - Theater Arts Guild Performers
2:15-3:00 - The Philly Duo
3:15-4:00 - The Philly Duo
PARTNERING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
Theater Arts Guild is a non-profit organization that has been providing high quality community theater productions in the Skagit valley for over 25 years. It is the mission of TAG to nurture participation in, and enjoyment of, live theater in Skagit Valley. It is our intention to encourage people of all ages to be involved as both participants and audience, offering a variety of production types.
Visit our website, http://www.theaterartsguild.org for audition and production information.
The Washington Shakespearean Festival
The Washington Shakespearean Festival (WSF) brings the magic of Shakespeare's works to life through a variety of engaging experiences. From Renaissance Faires and online classes to birthday parties and fundraisers, we offer a diverse range of performances, educational programs, and events that celebrate the timeless art of Shakespearean theater. WSF is proud to partner with Skagit Symphony for their Art in the Garden Bash & Garden Tour. More information at www.WaShakespeare.org
MUSICIANS
Backyard Brass is a newly formed brass quintet that loves chamber, brass music. We are made up of players from a number of ensembles in the Whatcom County area. With our decades of experience, we love playing all genres from classical, pops, jazz, and even a bit of blues.
Karolyn Labes & Neil McCarthy, trumpets
Doug Robertson, french horn
Quinn Vicars, trombone
Mark Lindenbaum, tuba
The Coyne Duo: The Coynes are two cellists who live in Bellingham, Washington. They met in college and haven’t stopped playing music together since!
Brian & Shannon Coyne, cellos
Goldfinch Quartet: Enjoy the Beatles, Adele, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Henry Mancini, and oh yes, of course, a little Mozart.
Sigrid Schumacher, violin 1
Sarah Carter, violin 2
Beth Sato-Richards, viola
Brenda Lawlor, cello
The Treble Makers: Take a stroll through a musical garden where Baroque elegance and 20th-century wit bloom side by side. From the intricate vines of Bach and Telemann to the sharp-edged blossoms of Shostakovich, this delightful program offers a bouquet of contrasts, colors, and surprises. No watering required—just enjoy 45 minutes of music in full bloom.
David Benson & Michael Wheatley, violins
Stephanie Bethea, piano
Alhambra: The new flute and guitar duo is Stephanie Bethea and Al Smith. From Piazolla, to Pachelbel and Bach...sit back, relax, let your imagination lead the way.
Stephanie Bethea, flute
Al Smith, guitar
Esprit Joyeux has performed regularly for seven years, playing a variety of music featuring flute and oboe. The group’s name means Spirit of Joy. Gretchen and Mandy hope that their joy creating music together can be felt and shared with the audience.
Gretchen Pigot, flute
Mandy Walters-Whitaker, oboe
Harmony Northwest Chorus is Skagit County’s only SingUnited International Chorus. You will find our women’s chorus singing out in the community for the many public events. The chorus is excited to perform at this year’s Skagit Symphony Garden Tour. We enjoy singing for retirement, assisted living, memory care communities and offer singing telegrams for special occasions. Chorus members come from Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties.
The Skagit Brass Quintet is composed of some of Skagit Valley’s finest brass players. Skagit Brass is unique in its versatility of musical styles, allowing them to present music from Sousa, to Bach and Ellington. Its members perform with Skagit Symphony, A’Town Big Band, North Cascade Concert Band, Skagit Community Band, as well as other chamber ensembles in our area.
Cindy Luna & Bennie Rawson, trumpets
Amanda Smith, French horn
Vince Fejeran, trombone
Jeremy Carillo, bass trombone
The Philly Duo: We met in a Pit -- the Pit Orchestra for the musical Music Man. Since then, they have played together in the Skagit Symphony and scads of theater productions. Neither is from Philadelphia but their first names combined come close.
Lily Iverson & Philip Buri, violins
Cascade Keys: 4-hand piano, playing in styles ranging from Tea for Two to Dvorak Slavic Dances, and points in between.
Stephanie Bethea & Linda Gagnier, pianos