Synesthesia

I Know How It Must Feel: Turning 40 is a mother. All of a sudden my body is falling apart before my eyes; if things continue to progress at this pace, I'll be in a nursing home within five years. I've started to grow hair in unusual places like the ears, back and forehead; if my hairline wasn't receding at the same time, it would only be a couple of months before I look like Sasquatch.  And just like Austin Powers, we know Bigfoot is a hairy beast.

Speaking of Sasquatch, fact meets fiction and then rubs noses with history, Native American lore and modern science as the story of Bigfoot will play out in displays at the upcoming exhibit Giants in the Mountains: The Search for Sasquatch at the Washington State History Museum.

This exploration of the Sasquatch story focuses on why the geography and heritage found in this area of the globe feeds into the Bigfoot legend. The exhibit studies all aspects of the legend and draws no conclusions.

It opens Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. A special "sneak peek" at the exhibit will happen during Third Thursday ArtWalk. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., co-curators Gwen Perkins and Susan Rohrer will lead a tour through the hairy show.

Say "hi" if you see me. I'll be the one who looks like Cousin Itt.

They Want to Hear What You See: For those who enjoy expressing themselves publicly, there is one place that not only opens its stage, but also lends you insights about how you performed. Barefoot Collective 8@8 event gives performance artists eight minutes to showcase their work before an audience. An audience feedback session follows the performance where the comments from the audience can sometimes be tough to hear.

The next 8@8 happens at, duh, 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 inside the Tacoma City Ballet Studio B at the Merlino Arts Building. Admission is $5. It's best if you already ate.

Rear of House

LeRoy Jewelers is somewhat off the beaten path of the art world, and its fine art division, The Art Stop, shares the same space with said jewelry store, which has been in business since 1941. The Art Stop is often the place to see some of the most interesting and beautiful handmade contemporary craft in the city.  Owners Steph Farber and Phyllis Harrison, more often than not, focus on ceramics. And, more often than not, their Art Stop shows lean on the creative side. Such is the case with their Batter's Up! show opening Thursday, Jan. 21. According to the hype, the show is "a celebration of form, function, comfort and creativity." It will showcase Puget Sound ceramists. (Told you.) And the form is batter bowls - that can hold pancake mix, cookie dough, sauces and such.

Yep, an Art Stop Show.

I caught up with Harrison before Thursday's show.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Who came up with this delicious idea?

PHYLLIS HARRISON: I confess, The Art Stop came up with the idea. One of The Art Stop's owners happens to love batter bowls - guess which one.

VOLCANO: Ah-huh. What local artists are contributing to the show?

HARRISON: All the participants are Northwest artists. I don't have a huge showing for this the first of what I hope will be an annual event, but here are the names: Maria Root, Ken Turner, and Mark Hudak are from Tacoma. Jeanette Harris is in Poulsbo. Gail Lurie, Gary Georger (formerly of Seattle, now of Turkey), and Lonnie and Julie Tosch from Edmonds. The others are in Seattle area.

VOLCANO: What do you think are the stand out bowls in the show?

HARRISON: Maria Roots' bowl is festooned with intricate detail. Turner's porcelain bowls are wonderfully balanced with softer decorative elements.

VOLCANO: Having Chef Charlie and Jacqueline from Primo Grill and Crown Bar judge the show is brilliant. Nice call.

HARRISON: Thanks. Charlie had been in the gallery one afternoon, and when I mentioned the show he seemed intrigued, so being the shameless promoter that I am, I asked him if he would judge the bowls. He suggested Jacqueline, as pastry chef would be a better judge, so I asked them both. 

Any kind of award makes a show more interesting, and I think anything we can do to recognize the talent around us is a great thing. I am especially impressed at artists and artisans who can bring such creative genius to the objects we use every day. And a chef will be looking both at functionality and creativity, the constant balance of craftsmanship.

VOLCANO: Will you be serving pancakes at the event?

HARRISON: (laughs) Pancakes are a great idea, and we have actually talked about it (or something of that ilk) but I fear getting around the Health Department. Perhaps next year, with more time to think about it, we'll find a solution for that. I was struck with this particular inspiration in November, so I didn't leave myself much time to plan.

The opening reception for Batter's Up is Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Mix it up with a creative crowd.

[The Art Stop/LeRoy Jewelers, through Feb. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 940 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.272.3377]