THE ROYAL BLOCK

222 Main Street

Conflicted Memories by Robert Ernst Marx, is on view and the subject of the next art talk with Joseph Roberts on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 6-7PM at the Royal Block.

Join the conversation. Royal Block hosts monthly art talks: round table discussions facilitated by Joseph Roberts that consider differing perceptions of a single artwork that will be on view. No art experience necessary. 21+

A sneak peek at the early morning preparations happening in the Gignac workshop for the Jaksa semi-retrospective coming up May 3-4 at the Waitsburg Art Garden. The collection of contemporary landscape work is evocative and nearly irresistible, especially in the dawn light.

THE ROYAL BLOCK
222 Main Street

The Royal Block Reading Series welcomes poets Jennifer Oakes and Kevin Craft along with musician Chris Jonlick for a lively evening of poetry, music, and book signings, Saturday April 27 at 6:30 PM.

Oakes, Craft, and Jonlick will honor the enduring power of community and the ways that unlikely connections often sustain artists. Oakes and Jonlick met as neighbors 15 years ago, and Craft is the first person Oakes read with in Walla Walla. They have since gone separate ways, but through the arts they maintain connections and seek to build local communities around creativity.

21+ | Admission is free to the public

137 MAIN STREET

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Or those who aspire to be… The Tates have just published their workshop dates through the end of the year. They offer a new monthly Open Sewing Lab (first session Saturday, April 6 2024), Drawing, Watercolor, Block Print, and Ceramics. Check out the workshop dates on their website (tateartwaitsburg.com) and get your art on!

EXHIBITING MAY 3 & 4
WAITSBURG ARTGARDEN
124-A Preston Avenue - Alley Entrance

A semi-retrospective show of artist Barbara Jaksa features paintings and drawings spanning 17 years and 23,238 kilometres of home. The work is seen as the anatomy of a nomadic soul, revealed as I “connect the seemingly unconnected” (Willian Plomer, 1978) thru the use of words, marks, brushstrokes and silent blank space in the discovery of a cohesive visual language.

See more of Jaksa’s work, bio, and artist statement on her page…

You know it’s spring when the gardening coveralls come out. Our favorite case-in-point, Mr. Hubbard’s fantastical patchworked pair lovingly stitched by past-Mayor, 70’s Australian singing sensation, and recent author, Markeeta Littlewolf. Should you wonder what kind of colorful life-experience developed this level of imaginative stitching, you should pick up a copy of her autobiography, The Wrestler's Daughter, at Amazon.com.

THE ROYAL BLOCK
222 Main Street

All Wars Are The Same War, by Nichole DeMent is on view and the subject of this month’s art talk with Joseph Roberts on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 6-7 PM at the Royal Block.

Join the conversation. Royal Block hosts monthly art talks: round-table discussions facilitated by Joseph Roberts that consider differing perceptions of a single artwork that will be on view. No art experience necessary.

It’s been positively verdant in The Pressroom this week thanks to the first run for Wheat Art Co. card company. They’ll be at the Spring Arts & Craft Show in TriCities March 15-17, so be sure to check out their booth if you’re over that direction!

On March 8, DavePaul 5 (featuring our own Paul Gregutt), plays AK’s Mercado in celebration of Walla Walla’s Guitar Fest Weekend! Catch ‘em if you can…

If you miss them, you can still listen to their 2023 release It Hasn’t Happened Yet on Pandora and other streaming services.

Absurdist Collage Club March Challenge: Garbage.
Analog collage. See more…

Our own Japanese Kuromiota, Kaz Pennington. Her theatrical makeup artistry astounds— follow her Insta @ravenwolf_pennington1993.

THE ROYAL BLOCK
222 Main Street

Three Moments, by Chris Engman is on view at the Royal Block and the subject of this month’s art talk with Joseph Roberts on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 6-7PM at the Royal Block.

Join the conversation. Royal Block hosts monthly art talks: round-table discussions facilitated by Joseph Roberts that consider differing perceptions of a single artwork that will be on view. No art experience necessary.

HAPPENED FEB 3

Anyone who has ever attended a show put on by Nancy Wells and her daughters Jennifer and Justine Clark of the Walla Walla Dance Company, understands that this is no dance recital. This is a professionally-produced extravaganza! Case in point, The Spindarellas, the 2024 Winter Performance which was on stage at Cordiner Hall on February 3. Students included Waitsburg’s own Chloe and Ava McCaw, and Emily Knudson. Thank you Erin Wright Photography for sharing your gorgeous work with The Siren.

BAR BACETTO
119 Main Street

The pasta is exceptional (of course), but the gorgeous packaging with hand-lettered labels by the Easton family makes it too pretty to eat. Almost.

Grab a bag for your pantry stash on your next visit to Bar Bacetto.

HAPPENED: JAN 6

The Inaugural Burlesque show at American 35 rained glitter for Nadia Nice and Rich Lather.

No. 65

It would be easy to interpret this as pure abstractionism had you never seen our valley in the snow. More of Barbara’s work here…

141 Main

If only you could hear the voices and strumming… You never know if it’s going to be banjo lessons with Daniel Rossi, squeaky lessons with the little ones, or a full on jam. But it’s always Bluegrass!

DUKE & REMINGTON
139 Main Street

Beginning in March, the Pressroom will be holding Open Studio hours on the first Friday and Saturdays of the month from 1-6PM. Are you interested in letterpress printing, or love admiring antique technology? Stop in and say hello!

'Middle Waitsburg Road Relief' garnered Greg Tate 3rd Place at Combine Art Collective's 3rd Annual Juried Show with his ceramic piece 'Middle Waitsburg Road Relief'.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing storefronts on Main Street is that of David Gignac. A metalworker and glassblower by trade, David has spent many years working in the theater and is no stranger to paint and canvas. His space is generally closed to the public, but worth a peek in the windows.

If you haven’t already subscribed to Paul Gregutt’s Substack, you probably should. He publishes regularly on the topic of Northwest wines, with the keen enology insights you would expect of a Wine Enthusiast alum, but in a frank witty style which is never dull. Don’t miss his recent article which, among other fascinating details about Tranche and Corliss, introduces us to the Secret Squirrel…

101 Main

Gloria’s deep into hearts preparing for upcoming classes. Head to the website to sign up!

137 Main

Artists Greg and Twila Tate have taken up residence in the D+R Studios. Greg will be offering 2-day workshops for artists to hone their skills in drawing and watercolor this spring. Email for more info.

If winter is wearing on your very last nerve, step into the tropical nursery at Nancy’s Dream Garden Center. The balmy climate and verdant greenery is sure to lift your spirits and remind you of the sunny days ahead.