MAY 2026
WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INSIDE
A monthly publication by the NCW Arts Alliance and The Comet
Publisher: Ron Evans
Contributors: Pamela Farrington, Ellen Bruex, Meg Sanders, Callie Baker, Jamie Howell
NCW Arts - Elevating the Arts in North Central Washington
ON THE COVER:
Pamela Farrington
Last December, something unexpected happened inside the Wells and Wade building at 15 Yakima Street in Wenatchee.
For one night, the raw industrial warehouse space came alive with artists, music, and hundreds of visitors moving through one of Wenatchee’s historic buildings that the public rarely has the opportunity to experience. Local and regional artists filled the walls, hallways, and open floor with their work.
One artist painted portraits live during the event. Another artist displayed large panels of a mural she had rushed to complete the night before.
A costume artist displayed her large sculptural character heads that quickly became part of the atmosphere of the evening. A local DJ filled the space with
lively music while a cash bar served local beer, wine, and cider. The energy was high, the turnout was strong, and the evening demonstrated what becomes possible when Wenatchee’s historic warehouse spaces open their doors to the arts.
ArtBox revealed something the community has been asking for. People want opportunities to experience the arts inside Wenatchee’s historic industrial spaces and to gather in environments that feel connected to the city’s history and character. The evening highlighted the depth of our regional artist community while also showing the strong public appetite for arts experiences in buildings that are not usually open to the public. It also showed how powerfully these spaces can come alive when filled with creative activity.
NCW Arts Alliance is excited to bring the next chapter to Wenatchee.
On Friday, August 7, NCW Arts Alliance will present MusicBox at Warehouse 3 Design Centre, a cooperative creative workspace and artist community in the heart of Wenatchee. The event continues the growing Box series, a set of experiences designed to celebrate different creative disciplines across North Central Washington while raising awareness and support for the region’s arts community.
The Box series grew out of our signature event, ArtBox, which focused on the visual arts. MusicBox brings the spotlight to live performance.
Together, these events reflect a larger vision for the Box series. Each one highlights a different part of the creative ecosystem while helping people imagine new possibilities for the character-filled industrial and historic spaces that are part of Wenatchee’s fabric and identity. MusicBox will feature performances by local bands, a bar, vendors, and a lively street party atmosphere that brings people together around music and connection. Like ArtBox, the evening also serves as an important fundraiser supporting the year round work of NCW Arts Alliance to strengthen opportunities for artists and creative organizations throughout North Central Washington. Funds raised help support artist programming, partnerships, and initiatives that expand access to the arts across the region.
The choice of venue is intentional.
Warehouse 3 Design Centre represents exactly the kind of space the Box series hopes to activate. Historic industrial buildings like this carry Wenatchee’s
‘South to North’ by Tara McBride. Read Ellen Bruex’s interview with McBride on pg. 3
story. They offer scale, texture, and authenticity that newer construction cannot replicate. When opened to the public and filled with art and music, they help people imagine how the city’s character can continue to evolve while still honoring its past and supporting a growing creative community.
Community response to ArtBox confirmed how meaningful these experiences can be. Visitors consistently shared how memorable it was to encounter art inside a working warehouse environment and how exciting it felt to see familiar buildings come alive in new ways. Events like MusicBox help demonstrate what becomes possible when creative energy and historic architecture meet and when the community comes together to support artists and creative spaces.
MusicBox is both a celebration and an invitation.
It celebrates local musicians. It supports NCW Arts Alliance through fundraising. And it invites the community to help shape what comes next for the arts across North Central Washington. We want to bring more events like ArtBox and MusicBox to Wenatchee. Making that possible takes community support. Attending, donating, sponsoring, and becoming a member of NCW Arts Alliance directly supports future Box events and helps expand opportunities for artists throughout the region.
Learn more, donate, or become a member at ncwARTS.org
BY ELLEN BRUEX
Imet Tara in 2017 when she was a Junior at Wenatchee High School. It was my first year teaching art there, and by the time I arrived she had already established herself as a standout art student and a regular presence around the art department. She took every art class she could possibly sign up for, learning from WHS teachers Don Collins, Steve Priest, and Russ Rummler. By her senior year, she was in the art department nearly as often as us teachers. I never actually had her as a student in my class, so I can’t take credit for any of her success, but we got along well and I enjoyed chatting with her about her projects. Her dedication and passion for her artwork was unmistakable. Moreover, she seemed to be one of those artists who can’t not make art, as if it was part of her very being. Upon graduation, the other art teachers and I were excited to see where her art would take her. So, when I
ran into her a few months ago selling work at Pybus and learned that she is a full-time working artist, I was 0% surprised and 100% stoked. We caught up over coffee and chatted about her upcoming exhibit at Pybus Art Alley.
Tell us about yourself and your upcoming show.
I grew up in the Wenatchee Valley then went to the fine arts school at Central Washington University. I studied to become a metalsmith, photographer, and ceramicist. I’m a multidisciplinary artist.
The theme of this show is ‘In the Weeds.’ What you’re going to see in May is all oringinal paintings. I’ve developed this style throughout the last three years that involves a lot of color, layers, and nature. I find myself returning to nature quite a bit. Something we see in these times of industrial revolutions, is people going back to what they know and what they can appreciate from the surrounding areas and all
the beautiful things that aren’t produced by humans. So that’s one of my focuses: showing complex landscapes through floral design. I appreciate how natural things can be interwoven, and that’s kind of where I found my most joy recently.
How did you land on these themes of nature?
The show highlights how we are interconnected with nature and how microorganisms thrive when they’re in a complex environment, and also what it means to have migratory species here in Washington State. I use a lot of common flowers from local gardens, because they’re what’s accessible to us, and they’re also things we find all across the Pacific Northwest, going down into Mexico and Southern America. It’s important to show that there are flowers and parts of our agricultural system that come all the way up through the Americas and back.
So it’s not only about the pretty pictures, eh?
Never. I think I’m part of a collective group of artists that value returning to these complex landscapes that don’t always involve everything supernatural, but always pull from it.
That’s beautiful, and layered, like your paintings. Having grown up here, moved away, and now splitting your time between Tacoma and Wenatchee, how does it feel to have this solo show at Pybus?
It’s good. I mean, it actually goes right along with the theme of return that I’ve been developing, which is really sweet. I’ve enjoyed coming back to Wenatchee, because I feel like I’ve developed myself and there’s certain things that you experience living in a small town that shape you, and they’ve definitely shaped me in good and in bad ways. And coming back to that, it feels refreshing.
4:30-6:30 PM
4. Spruce & Willow Lisa King, artist. Extended hours.
5. Lemolo 5-7 PM Lennie Harm, artist.
6. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Steve Schwind, artist. Live music. Local wines.
7. Ground Control 7-11 PM “Lowlight,” with featured djs crooked finger, Sutl. Chill music & cold drinks.
Community Potluck. Bring salad, snack, drink, or just yourself! See what’s new on our gallery wall.
11. Art Alley @ Pybus 5-7 “In the Weeds,” Tara McBride, artist. Tim G, live music. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation.
Horan Estates Winery
3-7 PM
$2 off glass pours.
Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM
$2 off glass pours.
Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room
4-7 PM
Happy hour special: $5 flights cider or beer.
Stones Gastropub
3-9 PM
$10 specialty cocktail.
Watermill Winery
On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 4-7 PM Happy hour special: $5 flights of cider or beer.
6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
4. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
5. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM
Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours
American Shoe Shop
5–7 PM
Extended hours
Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM
1. Horan Estates Winery
2. Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
$2 off glass pours.
Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
3. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
3. Stones Gastropub
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
4. Watermill Winery on the Ave 5-8 PM Wine specials.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
$10 specialty cocktail.
1. American Shoe Shop 5-7 PM Extended hours.
2. Mercantile All-day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
3. The Original Children’s Shop 10 AM-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
5. Steam Panda 12-9 PM
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off. Must mention First Friday, dine in only.
6. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 10 AM-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. 15% off store merchandise. Extended hours.
5. The Time Capsule 11 AM-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
Wenatchee Community Acupuncture is thrilled to welcome the community to its first art opening at a new location (21 Orondo Avenue in between Cupcake Blues and the Time Capsule). The night
will feature collage art by Deb Miller and Jill Nielsen-Farrell, drawings for wellness services and pop-up store surprises. Visit wenatcheefirstfridays.com for more events.
Continued from page 3
That’s exciting. You mentioned joy earlier. As long as I’ve known you, it seems apparent that art brings you joy. Have you always been an artist, how did you find this joy, and how does art fit into your life now?
I’ve always been an artist. It’s never not been a part of my life. Even when I wasn’t doing it professionally, it was a very large part of my life. I’ve been selling art since I was 10. So I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t dealing with how my artwork can impact my life and how I share it with a consumer base. Another part of my art flow is allowing people to view it. I’ve always been a very open person, whether it’s enjoyed or
not. For better or for worse. That’s also part of my process, the emergence of being viewed, because nature is always in view, whether we want to control it or not. So it’s one of those things where sharing my art complements what I’m doing right now.
Speaking of your creative process, what does your process look like for each painting?
I don’t always start with a plan. Sometimes I start with just my base color, which is that aura you see that surrounds all of my foliage.
[I interrupt her with a *chef’s kiss* in the air here, because I am a big fan of the way those base layers shine through.
We laugh. She continues… ] I start with a base color, and then I work from there, because I enjoy developing certain color palettes. It’s always been a very special interest of mine, even down to my clothes, creating specific color palettes that really satisfy my brain. So sometimes that happens where I don’t go in with a complete plan. And then there’s others, like this painting South to North, which is incredibly planned out. It’s researched, and it’s plants that have migrated from Washington to Mexico or the other way around, and some of our bird species that come up through the Pacific Northwest and travel over 10,000 miles. So that one is well researched, because I obviously need to know the plants that I’m going to be working with. So in that
one there’s honeysuckle, yarrow, and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds travel very far to be here in Washington. Those little guys, they’re so cute.
Other than this upcoming Pybus show, what is something you’re looking forward to?
I have a yard for the first time! I started planting flowers out there. The goal is to be creating in that way, too.
You can find more of Tara McBride’s work @taratara_arts on Instagram, Tara McBride on Facebook, on her website tarataraarts.com, occasionally at Pybus on the weekends, and at Leavenworth Art in the Park this summer (see her Instagram for dates).
in case of Emergency please break glass by
Kristo
westward my friz sailed gaining altitude and then the Wind caught it Grabbed it taking it North then East and finally South, toward the Giant (BIGLeaf) Maples and I mourned to know I’d (likely) Never See it Again, and then four crows surrounded it, like TIE fighters and they flew together, for a time, and then friz came Back to Me, right (nearly) INTO my Hands but I could not Catch it & the wind caught it, again & gave me a 2nd chance which I somehow also Missed it now lies Framed upon the wall its Epic flight captured in diorama before it might leave my hands but not my memory forever
