Kristi Rozdilsky walked through the opening of the Summer Art Exhibit Wednesday evening at the Centennial Center Gallery in downtown Kent and quickly formed an opinion.
“I’m impressed,” said Rozdilsky, of Des Moines, as she held a glass of Chardonnay at the annual Cornucopia Days Opening Gala. “I’ve never been in this building before. I’m impressed with the building and the art. The level of expertise is high.”
About 200 people showed up during the three-hour event to check out the 84 paintings, photographs and prints by 46 regional artists. All of the art will be on display from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as part of Cornucopia Days, the city’s annual celebration that runs through Sunday.
The Kent Arts Commission hosted the opening event, sponsored by Bella Home and Garden. Patrons enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and could purchase drinks at a no-host bar. The music group Rouge played French cabaret music just outside the north entrance of the gallery.
The city of Kent’s Centennial Center office building is at 400 W. Gowe St., next to City Hall.
“The ambiance is this space is nice,” said Rozdilsky as she walked through the first-floor lobby with artwork covering the walls.
Rozdilsky came to the event because her son, Drew Rozdilsky, a photographer, had work on display.
The annual Summer Art Exhibit continues through August from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The artwork is available to purchase.
“It’s good to have a program like this in the city of Kent,” said artist Stan Pollock, of Kent, who had one of his paintings on display. “It’s nice to have an environment where people can enjoy art.”
Pollock has worked as a full-time artist for the past five years after he took up painting about 20 years ago. He has had his paintings displayed at galleries in Seattle and New York, but this marks the first time he has contributed work to the Kent event.
“I never knew they had this,” Pollock said. “It’s nice to have a display in the area.”
Pollock and other artists were at the opening to visit with patrons and check out the various pieces of art.
“To be a good artist, you need to look at the work of other artists,” Pollock said. “You can’t help but learn.”
Contact Steve Hunter at 253=872-6600, ext. 5052 or shunter@reporternewspapers.com.
Kent Summer Art Exhibit
Exhibiting Artists
Centennial Center Gallery, 400 W. Gowe St.
Todd Bernave · Louise Britton · Benjamin Drummond / Sara Joy Steele · Julie Eggers · Terry Eggers · Don Farrell · Kathleen Frugé-Brown · Ford Gilbreath · Gwen Guidici · Betty Hageman · Dennis Harrison · Jennifer Hermanson · Andrew Hida · Fred Holcomb · Gloria Huffman · Cara J. Jennings · Susanne Kelly · Eunice Kim · Lili Kin · Kim Kopp · Kal Leavy · Lois Lord· Anna K. McKee · Paul McKee · Nina Mikhailenko · Mikela Naylor · Isabel Allum Phelan · Stanley N. Pollock · Brett Ramsey · Brian Rasmussen · Drew Rozdilsky · Heather Reid · Tamara F. Rivet · David Scherrer · Jesse Schwartz · Robin Siegl · Bob Smithing · John Tolbert · Ken Turner · Caryl Utigard · Betty Olson Vacca · Bernice Walsh · Randena Walsh · Jan Wieser
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