Art and Life at Northwind: Intertwined Surrealism

[caption id align="alignnone" width="2500"]

White Lotus Farm in Port Ludlow is the setting for the Northwind Art Gala on the evening of June 28. photo courtesy of White Lotus Farm   [/caption]

A Northwind Art Column by Diane Urbani


Here’s a concept for you: a staff meeting that turns out fun. This happened just last week, as the Northwind Art people brainstormed about decorations, drinks — and Surrealism.

You see, our big summer party is coming up in about four weeks, on Saturday, June 28. Soon after the summer solstice, we’re going out to White Lotus Farm, that wide-open, blossoming space in Port Ludlow, for a gala on the theme of “Surréalisme en plein air.”

What does Surrealism mean? One definition I found: tapping into the unconscious mind to unlock the imagination. For me, there’s nothing more enchanting than the imagination, especially among artistic people.

Which brings me to the staff meeting. My colleague Mary Black had already dreamed up the Surrealism theme, so now it was time to talk about how to express it. For one decorative element, we’ll have lush paper flowers, lots of them, very big and fashioned by hand. Artists, including the brilliant Margie McDonald, are orchestrating flower work parties for Northwind staff and volunteers.

[caption id align="alignnone" width="639"]

Port Townsend artist Margie McDonald will shepherd an art-mask-making activity at the Northwind Art Gala. She's pictured here in the 2025 Rhody Parade. photo by Meg Kaczyk  [/caption]

Entertainment? This is where more creativity — and generosity — enter the picture. The SureReal band, formed for this night only, will play: Bobbi Nikles, Dana Sullivan, George Radebaugh and Joel Stoner will provide jazzy grooves. And we’ll have a camera obscura made out of a former box truck. Port Townsend photographers Jen Cohen and Brian Goodman have created this experience: step inside the camera and see a reversed, surrealistic view of the farm and flowers around you.

Next question: to go with the Paella House dinner and the Castle & Crown Cellars wines, we want a signature cocktail and mocktail; what should we call them?

Various staff members piped up. Perhaps the Hello Dalí in honor of Salvador Dalí. And could we do something with René Magritte, that other Surrealist?

The Magritte-arita, suggested Kristen, our registrar and finance person. We were all laughing by now.

And obviously, we must have art-making. Margie McDonald steps up yet again to help us all create our own Surréalisme masks. This is a teaching artist who knows how to coax humans’ imaginations out into the light and turn them into artwork. When I heard Margie would be the mask-making mama at the gala, all I needed to say was “I’m in.”

Now, the gala is not inexpensive. Early-bird tickets are $140; all proceeds will support Northwind’s community programs, such as our free gallery shows, artist talks, art classes for people with memory loss, and workshops for youth. Gala revenue helps keep our nonprofit gallery and art school’s doors open.

In times of economic uncertainty, it’s a risk to put on a big event like this. But as Northwind executive director Martha Worthley has said about many of our projects, if we’re not taking creative risks, then what is the point of being an art organization?

It all comes back to the imagination. Let’s keep unlocking ours, together.

What to know: Tickets to the Northwind Art gala at White Lotus Farm are available at NorthwindArt.org. In-person information about it can be had at our Jeanette Best Gallery, 701 Water St. in Port Townsend, where we’re open 12 noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.