BY PENNY WEBB
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
Sept. 11, 2013

This Saturday, Sept. 14, celebrate all things nautical at the first annual Coupeville Art of the Boat celebration.

The brain child of artist Claire Acord, Art of the Boat brings together artists from all mediums who are inspired by boats and boating. From beautiful working vessels, to oil and watercolor paintings, to song, to poetry and prose, artists from all stripes will be serving up their fare to festival goers in the daylong event, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Sunset” by photograher Larry Cheek. (Photos courtesy of Claire Acord)

Here’s what’s happening all around the Art of the Boat:

• Sailboats, kayaks, rowboats and canoes, many handcrafted, will be on display throughout downtown Coupeville and also at the Pacific Northwest Arts School (PNWAS) and the Coupeville Farmer’s Market. On the wharf, the 92’ motor yacht Lotus will be offering high tea in its main salon.
• Visual art will be on exhibit at PNWAS, the Coupeville Farmer’s Market, the Coupeville Recreation Hall and at galleries and businesses throughout downtown.
• Authors and poets will read from their works in the Rec Hall from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. where book sales and signings will also be available.
• The Coupeville Library hosts a display of model boats and kids can get creative making their own little boats between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Local artist Gary Schallock will give watercolor demonstrations at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the arts school.
• Music offerings include island favorites, The Shifty Sailors, at Ryan & Friends gallery at 12:30 p.m. The Shifties will then roam the streets, serenading festival goers with their shanty fare.
• Wendy Hinman reads from “Tightwads on the Loose” at the library at 2 p.m.
• Front Street Realty will host artist-in-action Arlon Rosenoff, who will demonstrate painting with oils.
• Ryan & Friends Fine Art gallery hosts artist Jennifer Bowman and her Dingy Salon.
• The Chanteuse Women’s Choir will perform songs from the sea in the Rec Hall at 3 p.m. (Stick around after for Original Poster Art drawing.)
• Writers will also share their seafaring work. Throughout the day, authors MC Chapman and Michaelene McElroy will be read from their work at Lavender Wind.
• Throughout the day, kids and grown-ups can contribute to the Public Art Project, a blank banner in the Rec Hall, just begging to be filled with graffiti of all kinds. Acrylic markers will be provided.

“Overtaken” by Claire Acord.

To get underway, pick up your Art of the Boat Chart starting at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Pacific Northwest Art School, 15 NW Birch St. in Coupeville. For more information about the festival, visit the art of the boat blog.

The Coupeville Farmer’s Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on North Alexander Street behind the library. The Coupeville Rec Hall is at 901 NW Alexander St.

(Pictured at top, “Gaff Sail” by Larry Cheek.)

Penny Webb is a writer, a musician, a garden designer and a mom.  She is currently harvesting tomatoes, working on her memoir, and enjoying having the kids back to school.