The shower is where Seattle metal artist Matthew Dockrey was when inspiration struck to masterpiece the large steel tentacle bursting through a manhole in Uptown Village on the corner of West 23rd and Main Street.

 

"I had been thinking about designs for the application," said Dockrey, after successfully applying and then capturing Arts of Clark County's call for artists to create the first interactive public art work to complement the street life of Uptown Village. "I was stuck on some vague ideas for a tree shape involving lots of exposed hex bolt heads and getting nowhere."

 

That dilemma didn't last long for the skillful and award-winning artist.

 

When the tentacle inspiration entered the artist's creative heart, Dockrey said he had already been experimenting with a technique for taking a 3D model, "unfolding" it, and cutting it out of steel to form that kind of tessellated (tiling of a plane) shape.

 

"I knew I could make it," said Dockrey, whose artistic journey began at the Burning Man festival in Nevada in 2012 with his first large-scale art installation, The Harmonic Fire Pendula. His body of work has since grown into bigger and bigger installations.

 

Aptly named The Visitor, Dockrey's monster-like sculpture is now here to stay. A formal celebration event took place last month to reveal the magnificent, quirky, and cool new piece of $9,500 public art. The city of Vancouver issued a $12,000 grant to cover the project's cost. The purpose of the project has been successful, as The Visitor is indeed interactive and generating thoughtful and fun comments from the community. The clever creature also fits in nicely with the character of Uptown Village.

 

"We chose The Visitor because it was unique and iconic, and we hoped people would become attached to it and others would search it out to have a photo with it," said Karen Madsen chair of Arts of Clark County."

 

Madsen said that among the received proposals and the limited funds to manage the project, the organizing committee was amazed to be able to select such a unique and contemporary piece of work. The art work was ultimately selected, said Madsen, due to the belief that The Visitor would not just be a street decoration, but instead, it would draw people to the area.

 

This belief is gathering evidence too. Jake Ike, 20, a musician from Wenatchee, Washington, is in town visiting his family. Ike grew up here and is thinking about returning. Observing The Visitor, Ike looked amused.

"It's really cool -- a great contrast between creativity and imagination," said Ike. "It's not a monster - maybe he is just waving at everyone - What's up?"

 

Ike said walking trails along the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers features public art like this. A big sphere ball and a massive and detailed horizontal foot are among metal sculptures triggering conversations among communities there.

 

For us, Dockrey's intentions are simple and clear.

 

You are invited to join area creative professionals at the first Arts + Biz Quarterly Mixer, a new networking event for artists of all disciplines wanting to grow their businesses by networking with other local artists and businesses. The businesses will either provide a useful service to the artist or have opportunities to employ the services of the artist. The agenda at each mixer will include ample time for networking and socializing. Expect a short presentation too. Karen Madsen, chair of Arts of Clark County, will lead the first talk. The launch event takes place Wednesday, February 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the North Bank Artists Gallery at 1005 Main St., Vancouver. The fee is $5 per person. Light refreshments are included.

Artist Carson Legree is showing a series of her small paintings at Dengerink Art Supply throughout February. Savor the engaging paintings that demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of color and composition with a playful, joyful, and mysterious quality. Reception is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Legendary Portland pianist Thomas Lauderdale headlines at the second concert of 2016 at Skyview Concert Hall, which promises to be one of the highlights of The Vancouver Symphony's 37th season. Performances take place February 20 and 21.

Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St.

Magenta Theater Company has moved and welcomes you to check out the new February 2016 stage production of The Women, a musical performance with Fadin' by 9 and Misty Mamas. The play, written in 1936 by Clare Boothe Luce, an American author and politician, features an all-female cast. The Women is a fun and acerbic commentary on the pampered lives and power struggles of wealthy Manhattan socialites and the gossip that propels and damages their relationships.

Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver

Tickets and more info

Please register to attend.