Nostalgic pastels inspired by the Greatest Generation, a show of new images by a local camera club and an opening and gallery talk featuring a prominent raku artist are among the highlights of the upcoming First Friday Gallery Walk on Friday.
Ceramic artist Jim Romberg will present a gallery talk at Anchor Art Space called “Art in your life: Appreciating, assessing and purchasing works of quality and interest,” at 5 p.m. The opening reception of his show follows from 6 to 9 p.m.
Deeply engaged with the history and practice of raku, Romberg integrates sculptural and wheel-thrown forms with a colorful, painterly surface bearing distinct marks of fire and smoke. He has made raku ceramics for 37 years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Pomona College in ancient and medieval history, and a master’s in fine arts from the Claremont Graduate School in ceramics. A professor emeritus at Southern Oregon University, he recently established a studio in Abiquiu, N.M. His work is in collections throughout the United States and Europe.
A colorful collection of pastels by Patty Forte Linna, including a new series of World War II inspired pieces, opens at Scott Milo Gallery with a reception 6-9 p.m. during the gallery walk. The show continues through Nov. 3. Also showing at Milo are figures and landscapes in oil by Pepper Peterson, still lifes and figures in oil by Judythe Sherwood, abstract oils by Don de Llamas, landscapes in oil by Dederick Ward, new jewelry, sculptures, glasswork and crafted wood tables.
“Close to Home,” a show of images by the Skagit Valley Camera Club, curated by Dick Garvey, opens with a reception at the Depot Arts Center, also during the walk. The show continues through Oct. 31. The group’s photographs are always worth a look.
This year’s show includes work by Dan Yost, Dave and Lynn Karns, Marcia Neu, John Kelso, Hap Hudec, John Sedgwick, Dana Styber, John Holtman, Susana Bonadea, Dick Smith, John Janson, Yulia Kazansky, Leslie Dorn, Shelley Johnson, Terry Brady, Lewis Jones, Tony Locke, Wayne Martin, Sandy Huntley, Mark Maulden, John and Lynne Freeman, Teryl Monson, Anne Elkins, Ruth Dorsey and Jan Kelly.
Other Gallery Walk highlights:
• Opulence Hair Salon and Day Spa, 902 Commercial Ave., features work from several local and Pacific Northwest artists.
• Anne Martin McCool Gallery, 711 Commercial Ave., presents new turned wood bowls by George Way, blown glass by Alison Brubaker and work from gallery artists Anne Martin McCool, Teri Silva, Debbie Aldrich, Kathleen Faulkner and Carole Cunningham.
• Insights Gallery, 516 Commercial Ave., presents an abstract show featuring bold oils, encaustics and mixed media by Carla Dimitriou, Michael Moe, Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso and Anne Schreivogl.
• Adrift, 510 Commercial Ave., is showing new work by regional artists.
• Bowman Gallery, 801 Fifth St., features photographs by David and Marius Hibbard.

