Crows and ravens, found throughout the Pacific Northwest, have intrigued humans for centuries, inspiring mythic interpretation, artistic expression and scientific inquiry. artEAST’s “Crow/Raven: Magic and Mystery” brings together these human responses to crows through two juried art exhibitions, artist talks and a public lecture by world-renowned avian researcher John Marzluff.
The series runs May 30 through July 12 at the artEAST Art Center and other Issaquah locations.
“Crows and ravens, and the art they inspire, elicit awe and fascination,” said Greg Bartol, a metal sculptor and artEAST member who is curating the series. “We glimpse ourselves in these birds, and it turns out they are watching us as well.”
Bartol points out that crows and crow-related art are abundant in and around Issaquah. The Issaquah Highlands is home to a crow roost, and an outdoor crow sculpture greets visitors to the Issaquah Library.
The Crow/Raven series opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. May 30 at artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N. in downtown Issaquah. The reception, which is free and open to all ages, will allow visitors to meet the artists whose work was selected for the Crow/Raven exhibition. The Art Center exhibition will feature 40 original works chosen from more than 200 submissions.
A number of events are schedule during the series.
Feathers: Form and Function
Olympia artist Chris Maynard will speak about the beauty and complexity of feathers, which are a medium in his work at 2 p.m. June 8 at Blakely Hall, 2550 N.E. Park Drive in the Issaquah Highlands. Maynard’s feather carvings have garnered attention around the world and are featured in the artist’s new book, “Feathers: Form and Function.” The event if free.
Song of the Crow
Seattle author Layne Mayheu will discuss his novel, “Song of the Crow,” which retells the Noah’s Ark story from the perspective of a crow at 3 p.m. June 8, also at Blakely Hall. “Song of the Crow” was a Book Sense pick and earned a starred review in the Library Journal. Free event.
Blakely Hall Artist Reception
A public reception from 4-6 p.m. at Blakely Hall will introduce the artists whose crow-related work will be on display. The artworks were selected for the stories they tell about crows and ravens and their interactions with humans. Redmond Poet Laureate Michael Dylan Welch will present a reading during the reception. The event is free.
Gifts of the Crow
Dr. John Marzluff, a wildlife biologist at the University of Washington and a world-renowned avian researcher, will speak about the social behavior and astonishing intelligence of crows and ravens at 7 p.m. June 16 at Village Theatre First Stage, 120 Front St. N., Issaquah. Marzluff illuminated these behaviors in the popular books “Gifts of the Crow” and “In the Company of Crows and Ravens” and in PBS documentaries informed by his research. His books will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow his lecture. General admission tickets, at $5 each, are available for the event on the artEAST website, www.arteast.org.
Holy Crow
Professional artist and instructor Jessica Damsky will discuss the influence of crows and ravens on the world’s greatest artists, many of whom incorporated crow imagery into their work, at 7 p.m. June 25, again at Blakely Hall. Damsky is a New York-trained painter who teaches at Gage Academy of Art, Pratt Fine Art Center and elsewhere. The event is free.
What Crows Talk About
Artist and photographer Judy Lane will discuss the birds that have inspired her work, which includes a children’s picture book, “Keiko and the Crows,” about her dog’s interaction with a community of crows near the Salish Sea. The free event will be July 6 at a time and location to be determined later. “Crow/Raven: Magic and Mystery” is part of artEAST’s new Art That Talks programming, designed to spark dialogue and build community through art. Art That Talks builds upon artEAST’s 2013 launch of Art Together Time, family-friendly workshops engaging multiple generations in making art.
