Combine cycling with the delights of outdoor and indoor art for some late summer and early fall destination-focused recreation. Create your own personalized art tour using some of these ideas for your route planning.
Marmot Art Space (1202 Summit Parkway): Located in Adams Alley across from Craftsman Cellars, in Kendall Yards, this family-friendly gallery hosts projects from local, regional, and international artists. Every First Friday event celebrates the opening of a new exhibit. Kids are always welcome. marmotartspace.com
Kendall Yards Art Walk/Ride: 10 featured outdoor art installations and 10 points of interest, mostly overlooks of the Spokane River offering stunning views. Find a map PDF at kendallyards.com.
“I Am A Town” Sidewalk Poetry Tour: Includes 13 stops with destinations in downtown Spokane, Browne’s Addition, and on the South Hill. Find the Google Maps link at spokanearts.org/iamatown.
Riverfront Park & Centennial Trail Sculpture Walk/Ride: At spokanearts.org, download the PDF brochure featuring the route map and details for each sculpture. Tour begins at WSU’s downtown Spokane campus and ends at the Monroe Street Bridge.
Chase Gallery (808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, City Hall lower level): Currently showing is Spokane Handweavers Guild: Celebrating 70 Years of Weaving. Sept. 7 First Friday includes weaving demonstrations and poetry readings. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 24. More details at spokanearts.org/chase-gallery.
Saranac Art Projects (25 W. Main): This non-profit artist cooperative provides exhibit space and opportunities for artists and curators. First Friday is usually opening night for new exhibits. Visit saranacartprojects.org for current information. Open Thursdays 2-6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, noon-8 p.m
Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University (200 E. Desmet Ave, southwest end of GU campus): New exhibit of Auguste Rodin sculptures opens Sept. 8, and the museum also has permanent collections, including Chihuly Glass works and exhibits in its Arcade Gallery. Don’t miss the outdoor sculpture exhibition. Free. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. gonzaga.edu/student-life/arts-culture/jundt-art-museum
Bing Crosby House Museum, Gonzaga (508 E. Sharp Ave.): Yes, Bing Crosby’s childhood home is part of GU’s campus, in its original location. View 200+ items related to Crosby’s singing and acting career, including his gold records and Oscar statuette. Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m-4 p.m., Saturday 1-4 p.m. Free. gonzaga.edu/student-life/arts-culture/crosby-museum
Northwest Museum of Arts + Culture (2316 West 1st Ave.): Located in the Browne’s Addition neighborhood west of downtown Spokane, the MAC features permanent collections, including American Indian and Historical artifacts, and current exhibits in its galleries. Current exhibits feature Spokane painter Mel McCuddin and the historical and controversial photographer Edward S. Curtis. Info and hours at northwestmuseum.org.
Tsuga Northwest Arts (1114 S. Perry St.): Outside the downtown core, this art gallery and community space in the South Perry District features fine art and handmade goods curated by local and regional artists focused on the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest. If coming from downtown, visit the gallery by bike via the Ben Burr Trail. Open Tuesday-Saturday. See tsugaarts.com for hours.
Spokane Falls Community College Fine Arts Gallery (3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive, Building 6): A new exhibit opens Sept. 25, featuring works by Bob Ebendorf (found object jewelry/sculpture and postcards) and Fred Holcomb (oil on canvas). Open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. sfcc.spokane.edu/For-Our-Students/Around-Campus/Art-Gallery
Bryan Oliver Gallery, Whitworth University (300 W. Hawthorne Road): On the city’s far north side, a new exhibit opens Sept. 11, featuring new acquisitions from landscape painter and Whitworth alumnus Ben Frank Moss. Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.) whitworth.edu/cms/academics/art/bryan-oliver-gallery //
Amy S. McCaffree is special section editor and Out There Kids columnist. She wrote more about the “I Am a Town” poetry tours in the August issue.
