NCECA 2012 Seattle

Arrived a few days early with Connie. Flew in from Salt Lake City and spent the first afternoon exploring the nearby downtown shops. Our hotel is the downtown Sheraton near the Convention Center. Bought some champagne and enjoyed it in our room before dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant near the football stadium called Il Terrazo Carmine. Very good.
On day two we drove north and spent some time in LaConner, a quant little waterfront town where we took in the tulipierre show at the Museum of Northwest Art. Our favorite was by Kathleen Skeel, a tower with head inside and multiple birds, etc. We had lunch at Calico Cupboard. The area is famous for growing flower bulbs (daffodils, tulips and iris). The daffodils were in full bloom. We saw field after field full of them. Afterwards we drove north on Chuckanut Drive, a scenic drive along the waterfront with winding roads and lots of trees and vegetation. From the lookout above we saw two kite surfers on the water. From there we headed to Bellingham, where we took in a mediocre clay show and toured the sculpture park on the campus of Western Washington University. We drove back to Seattle and had dinner at Ray’s Boathouse, a great restaurant on the waterfront where we watched an incredible sunset and had a fabulous meal of crab cakes and sable fish.
On day three we took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The views of the island from the ferry were terrific, with the Olympic Mountains in the background. Likewise the view of the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle was grand! Because it was Sunday, little was open in the village of Wilson on the island, so we walked around a bit, including a short hike on a waterfront trail and caught the ferry back to the city. Two very nice ladies from Bainbridge gave us some sightseeing tips. We strolled through Pike’s Market on the waterfront, saw the famed pig,fish throated, and dancing rat, and bought some beautiful strawberries. We had lunch at a little Italian spot in the market, Pasta Bar, where we had the best meatball sandwiches ever. After lunch we visited SAM (Seattle Art Museum) where we saw the special Gaugin and Polynesia exhibit, as well as their contemporary clay exhibit featuring Toshiko Tazeku, Robert Arneson That night dinner was at the Metropolitan Steakhouse where steak and lobster were the order of the day.
Day four found us driving south to Ellensburg to check out the Yakima River and Red’s Fly Shop. We also visited Gallery One where we saw work by Artstream artists along with locals. We also visited the college campus where the “Atmospheric” show was held, featuring work by Brad Schweiger, Tara Wilson, Bede Clarke, Josh DeWeese, Dan Anderson, etc. Lunch at the Yellow Church Cafe was a great. Back in Seattle, we took in a couple of clay shows at Pioneer Square, Archie Bray residents past and present, and Shay Church’s life size clay elephant I. Progress, as well as Davidson gallery where clay masters with their prints were featured, including Voulkos, Isopov, Coleman, Autio, Arneson, etc. Dinner was at a small, intimate French Bistro called Le Pichet.
Next day we drove down to Tacoma, where unfortunately, the Museum was closed as was the glass museum and most of the galleries. Thus was apparently due to the NCECA tour being canceled. we were able to see an amazing tea bowl exhibit at the Community College, including a piece by Peter Callas that we ultimately purchased. We returned to Seattle, and had a nice dinner a Assaggio, followed by an evening trip on the monorail to the top of the Space Needle.
Ran into Peter Callas at the Trade Show the next day, who invited us to come to his Saki opening that night. We went and came back with one of Pete’s sake bottles. Pete was there with his wife. The programming that day included one of my favorites, Garth Johnson, who spoke about clay artists of the 70’s with a sense of humor, i.e. Clayton Bailey. Also enjoyed soda firing seminar with Matt Long, Gail Nichols, etc.
Went back to Tacoma with Connie Norman and friends–the glass museum was cool, especially the Michael Sherrill piece. Saw Michael in the lobby, who was quite interested in Connie Britt who was decked out in fishing gear. The bridge to the glass Museum was amazing, with tons of Chihuly work tucked into its walls. The Art Museum there was great, too. Had lunch with the girls at a waterfront restaurant. Connie was fishing in Ellensburg that day, but had no luck. However, he fished with Connie Norman’s husband’s stepfather, Rick, and had a wonderful time with him. Rick, his wife Debbie, and Connie Norman joined us for drinks that night.
The next night we returned to the Metropolitan steak house with Connie Norman. Lots of drinks that night! Earlier in the hotel bar, Connie made friends with Doug Casebeer and they now plan to fish together. Connie Norman came over and introduced us to Ted Vogel.
Enjoyed the programming the next day. Met Connie & friends at the original Starbucks in Pike Place. Went to Bellevue Art Museum to see Push/Play show. Cristin Zimmer, her mom, and Theo were there.
Missed our dinner reservation the last night because we were in the bar. Connie made friends with Ron Meyers, and we ended up having multiple drinks with him, Chuck Hindes, Jim Leedy and others. Jeri Au showed up so I had a great time catching up with her, and Magdelena Odundo was there as well. I had met Magdelena when she gave a workshop while I was at Webster. She was in Seattle to do a glass internship at the glass museum in Tacoma. We caught a late night bite in our hotel restaurant.
Listened to emerging artist talks Saturday morning and headed for the airport Saturday afternoon.