Schack Art Center Holiday Exhibit: The Colored Pencil Society of America
Who knew colored pencils could be so dynamic?
I certainly didn’t.
Not until I checked out the Schack Art Center’s current exhibit featuring the Colored Pencil Society of America. One of my favorite things about the exhibit was seeing all the different ways artists utilize colored pencils.
John A. Ursillo, Winter Storm Surge, Colored Pencil on Canvas // Garret Hunt
Viewing the vast array of artists and pieces, I couldn’t help but wonder who the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) is. Doing some research on the Schack’s website, I learned that the society is a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of colored pencil art. They’ve been around since 1990, and have chapters all across America. The Seattle chapter has been around for over 25 years and hosts regional shows
Coffee Pot and Pear. Colored Pencil, By Rhonda Gardner, pan pastel on Stonehenge white paper // Garret Hunt
I’m no art critic, so I’ll spare you from sharing too much about my experience viewing the exhibit.
In general, though, I appreciated the range of styles and content matter. The pieces I enjoyed the most were one of a boy reading a book, and the other a surrealist style piece of an urban saxophonist’s tunes transforming into a sunset.
Linda H. Clark, Character Development, Colored Pencil, watercolor pencil, Inktense on Team Plastics drafting film // Garret Hunt
Paula Parks, Man with a Golden Horn, Colored Pencil on Grafix DuraLar // Garret Hunt
Upstairs on the mezzanine level, there’s a similar but different exhibit, Elizabeth Kincaid: Watercolors that Dance with Light. She also incorporates colored pencils into her pieces, so I didn’t realize at first that it’s a completely different exhibit.
Photo: Garret Hunt
I found the Kincaid exhibit to be a nice compliment to the overall experience. Her pieces have a nice range from more traditional scenic landscapes to, in my opinion, more original subject matter like a painting of a woman looking at a painting of a woman, or just a good ol’ pair of dangling feet.
Elizabeth Kincaid, Friends, Watercolor // Garret Hunt
All in all, I found this exhibit quite enjoyable. It wasn’t my personal favorite, but I always find seeing a unique medium being utilized to be a refreshing experience.
With admission being free, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Schack Art Center. It’s one of Everett’s greatest assets.
Bonus- if you still need to do any holiday shopping, the Schack (and many local businesses around town) is a great resource.
The Colored Pencil Society of America exhibit runs through January 4.
Schack Art Center
2921 Hoyt Ave,
Everett, WA 98201
Garret is a business broker with KR Brokers, a business consultant, and co-founder/CEO of Live in Everett. He grew up in the North end of Snohomish County and lives in Everett’s Bayside neighborhood.