el dot Furniture and Accessories of Poulsbo has received a commission from the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) Shop to design and build a sustainable, bamboo-framed mirror, according to Lishu Rodriquez, co-owner.

The mirror along with its Future Primitive Collection, a contemporary handcrafted line of bamboo and rosewood furniture, will be available during the Gauguin Show at SAM February through April.

el dot has also announced a new, local line of wood reflective Animal Guides for use as driveway markers and garden art along with a line of BareFoot Shoe and Boot Removers. read more »

The aroma of baking bread wafts through the supermarket, even when the ovens are empty. The breezy scent of coconut oil floats through the bathing suit aisle of the department store when summer is months away.

Welcome to the world of scent marketing. Retailers are increasingly using ambient scents to induce shoppers to stay longer, spend more and maybe even behave a little more kindly toward fellow shoppers.

Retailers are wary of discussing it lest they be accused of manipulation. But the fragrance makers, researchers and advertising agents gathered in Miami Beach for the ScentWorld conference in December were happy to explain their art. read more »

Wendy Allred has owned a business with her husband, Rick, since 1998 under the name Sparrow Portrait Photography Inc. The two started the Bremerton-based business at the same time as they started a family, and the move has worked out well.

“Back in those days, there were not as many photographers compared to how many there are now,” Allred said. “It was a good way to make money and care for your kids.”

She said the business took off more than they had anticipated, and it was a good combination of Rick’s technical skills and her art school training. read more »

Amy Burnett Gallery will present a special feature for the February Downtown Bremerton Gallery Walk. Furniture, paintings and Pyrex blend as if performing on Feb. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“I have turned my art gallery space into a working studio where all has been arranged to paint and to be an area installation,” Burnett said. “It is an unusual approach where projects have been combined, inviting visitor participation.” read more »

Port Hadlock artist Dan Youra recently presented his portrait of Four Republican Leaders to Sue Lynch, president of the National Federation of Republican Women.

The artwork created by Youra depicts four nationally recognized Republican leaders from Wisconsin: Scott Walker, governor, Paul Ryan, U.S. Congressman, Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee and Lynch president of the National Federation of Republican Women. read more »

Jini Dellaccio is coming home to Gig Harbor. Her master works of fine art photography, exhibit, “With a Loving Eye: The Photographs of Jini Dellaccio” will be on display at the Harbor History Museum Mar. 31 to Jul. 29.

Still working at age 95 in digital photography Dellaccio has documented the lives of people and families over the 30 years.

More about this exhibit is available at www.harborhistorymuseum.org, and the Dellaccio collection, at www.jinidellaccio.com.

Over one hundred and thirty artworks by artists from across the state of Washington will be on view at the Collective Visions Gallery in the CVG Show, which opens Jan. 28. Competition to get in the show was tough. The exhibition juror, Kathleen Moles, Curator of Exhibitions at the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner selected the show from over 800 pieces in all art media that were entered by over 265 artists into the competition. Any one piece of art submitted had only a one in six chance of being included. read more »

Start the New Year enjoying art, culture, and some downtown dining on Friday, Jan. 6 with the first First Friday Art Walk from 6-8 p.m.

This month OfficeXpats hosts the featured exhibition entitled “American Street Philosophers: in Pursuit of Happiness.” It is a series of thirty Northwest natural photos by Steve Wilson, an acclaimed photojournalist with a portfolio from the Seattle World’s Fair to LIFE and National Geographic magazines. read more »

Collective Visions Gallery’s CVG Show is a major state wide competitive art exhibition that attracts top artists and gained recognition across Washington State. The dates for the show have been expanded for 2012 to take place January 28 through February 26, 2012. Supporters include the Kitsap Credit Union, The Doctor’s Clinic, Kitsap Eye Physicians, KPS Health Plans, Soriano Brothers Investments, West Sound Arts Council, The Artists Edge Art Stores and others. All of the 2,400 square feet of exhibition space in the gallery will be devoted to this event for the duration of the show. read more »