By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s Charles Smith’s 35th birthday; he’s an artist, his friends are artists and he wants to do something big. So , he and 350 of his closest friends will be gathering at Elysian Fields in Pioneer Square tonight to celebrate his birthday while viewing the work of eleven different artists — four of whom, including Charles, are from West Seattle – and listening to music (also including WS performers)
Charles has studied art and design internationally and currently works for Starbucks’ Technical Design Division. The bags you buy your coffee beans in are his designs—including the latest red Christmas Blend bags. The art he does in his personal life however, is very different.
His friends call him “The Tarantino of Pop Art.” Charles has shown his work in local restaurant/lounges such as Talarico’s and Mission and will have his art featured at Angelina’s in February.
It is this acceptance of his work, and the willingness of others to support him, that inspired him to create a show featuring a group of artists. “This is about sharing what was given to me when I moved here. (This show) let’s me give it back to my friends.” He also had a very clear vision of what he wanted: an amazing birthday party and an opportunity for artists. He says “Look for a lot of diversity and look to be visually challenged.” He gives credit to Elysian Fields curator Michael McGivaren for allowing this diverse group of lesser-known artists to display their works for this event.
Charles works mainly with pen and ink, acrylics and oils; works using these mediums will be featured along with works by sculptors and mosaic artists.
Featured artists from West Seattle include: Scott “Chips” W. Pietz, a sculptor who is also a construction worker and creates pieces using found objects from construction sites; photographer Erik Bell; Alejandra Escobedo, who has had her work featured in art museums in Mexico, and T.s. Pew, of whom Charles says, “His art is everywhere, you can’t avoid him!”
Besides the venue being “filled with artists I think are great,” Charles is providing entertainment; West Seattleites Shannon Sharp and Johnny Smokes, whose band Jar of Flies is a tribute band to Seattle grunge group Alice in Chains, will be performing an acoustic set for part of the evening.
As for opening a major art show in the current economy, Charles says that they were very conscious of making the artwork accessible to people: “People want good art now, at reasonable prices.” (Prices here: $50-$3,000.)
This event is free, including refreshments: 6 pm-1 am. Elysian Fields (Pioneer Square) VIP Room: 542 1st Avenue South (map)
As Charles’ invitation says: “If ya don’t come for my birthday, come for the art, if not the art, come for the drinks, either way, you’re out of excuses!!!”
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