Sou’wester Arts & Ilwaco Artworks inaugural Solstice Celebration, an exhibition of free performances, galleries, and artist talks.
SOU’WESTER ARTS SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Saturday, December 21st | 6:00pm to10:00pm | Free and open to all
Sou’wester Arts proudly presents its inaugural solstice celebration: an enchanting evening of exhibitions and performances.
6:00pm At Ilwaco Artworks
109 1st Ave N, Ilwaco, WA
Artist talk with Dawn Stetzel – What If
Description: What If, is an intimate solo exhibition and artist talk by Dawn Stetzel. Known for their body-activated sculptures that explore themes of climate crisis and resilience. Enjoy a unique glimpse into Dawn’s creative process and the narratives behind their impactful works.
7:00pm to10:00pm At The Sou’wester Lodge
3728 J Place, Seaview, WA
Bonfire in the main courtyard (weather permitting).
Art Gallery Trailer Opening Reception – We’ve Been Here by Gracen Bookmyer & Rowan Walton.
Description: In relationships, including those we hold with ourselves, worlds manifest as identities become. This small world was created as an ode to love through the ages. Inspired by the stories and strengths of our queer ancestors, this artwork is in celebration of aging and their legacy of love–of the late bloomers and custodian changemakers. The journey of becoming spans a lifetime.
Artist Bios, Gracen works in Gerontology and builds masks from gathered materials–natural and found–that take after her ancestors and the older communities she collaborates with. Rowan is starting graduate school in clinical mental health counseling and works as an interdisciplinary artist propelled by a fascination with materials, storytelling, and how humans choose to adapt to change.
Exhibit/Film Screening in the Red Bus Micro Theatre – Age of Icons :: Hyperbody Screentest: An animated simulation of another world by Marcus Estes.
Description: “For the world to be real (riaru), it must be sufficiently electrified by desire. A world not given depth by desire, no matter how exactingly it is drawn, will always be flat and impersonal, like a backdrop in the theater.” — Tamaki Saitō, Beautiful Fighting Girl
If nothing is real, then everything is real. If everything is real, then nothing is. Which do you really, really want?
Artist Bio: Marcus Estes is a video artist, technologist, and cannabis and psychedelics activist. He lives in Astoria and helps run Avalon, a new DIY art space downtown.
8:00pm to 8:30pm Scheduled Performance by Anis Mojgani in The Sou’wester Lodge
Anis Mojgani, the 10th Poet Laureate of Oregon, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, and winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam, has held residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Caldera, AIR Serenbe, and others. A recipient of an Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fellowship, he’s completed commissions for the Getty and Peabody Essex Museums. His work has appeared on HBO, NPR, and in the NYTimes, Rattle, and more. Known for his performances, Anis has performed at universities, festivals like the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and venues including the United Nations and House of Blues. The author of six poetry books and the opera libretto for Sanctuaries, his first children’s book is forthcoming. His latest poetry collection is The Tigers They Let Me. Originally from New Orleans, Anis lives in Portland, Oregon.
8:30pm to 10:00pm Scheduled Performance by The OO-Ray in The Sou’wester Lodge.
The OO-Ray is the alias of Ted Laderas, an improvisatory and experimental cellist from Portland, OR. A systems biologist by day, he extends his experimental attitude to exploring the outer possibilities of the cello, often distorting, looping, or pitch-shifting his instrument beyond recognizability into waves of reverberation and extended drones. Inspired by the gauzy textures of My Bloody Valentine, he calls his style “shoegazer cello” or “chamber drone”. His music explores the realms of electroacoustic, shoegazer, and ambient.
Official Release of our St. Meatball limited-edition print
Get a signed print of St. Meatball, our beloved grounds cat and cuddle king, created by artist Megan Gambill. This print marks the official launch of our limited artist collaboration merch series.
Perhaps you’ve met Meatball during your stay and shared a cozy snuggle, or maybe you’ve yet to experience his charm firsthand. Either way, Meatball embodies the heart and magic of the Sou’wester, and we’re thrilled to celebrate him through Megan’s heartfelt depiction of his loving essence.
The print will be available for purchase in the Sou’wester Lodge porch market starting December 21st—while supplies last!