For Immediate Release
Contact: Tara Shadduck
Email: graphite.tara@gmail.com
Phone: 425.510.1097

“A sketch drawn from life is one of the most authentic forms of visual expression.”
– Gabi Campanario, artist

A collection of more than 100 sketches by regional sketch artists capture a sense of place and time in the Pacific Northwest in the exhibit Sketching Cascadia on display at Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds, June 24 – July 29, 2023.

Sketching Cascadia features loose sketches in different mediums, as well as complete sketchbooks, by 20 local artists. All works were created “on location” at various well-known, lesser-known, and unknown sites around the Pacific Northwest, capturing what the artist has seen from direct and immediate observation. The exhibition serves to elevate the beauty and artistic value of sketching and sketch art, and to promote this accessible art practice.

Sketching Cascadia at Graphite is presented in association with Urban Sketchers Seattle and in conjunction with Sketcher Fest Edmonds. Founded by local artist and author Gabriel “Gabi” Campanario, Urban Sketchers is a global nonprofit organization of artists who aim to “show the world, one drawing at a time” through on-location sketching. Campanario, who is well known for his Seattle area sketches which appeared weekly in the Seattle Times from 2009 to 2021, was instrumental in planning the Sketching Cascadia exhibit with Gallery Director Tracy Felix.

About the show and art of sketching, Campanario says:

“It’s wonderful to see drawings of our region, by so many local urban sketchers, have such a wonderful showcase at the Graphite Arts Center. Visitors will recognise many familiar locations and be inspired to start a sketchbook habit. These sketches, made by hand and on the spot, stand out in this age of ubiquitous video recording. They may look raw, imperfect, and unfinished, but they evoke scenes that viewers can complete with their own imagination.”

Gabi Campanario will be the guest speaker at the Sketching Cascadia opening night reception where he will talk about his journey as a sketch artist and the inception of Urban Sketchers. Show opens June 24, 12-4PM, artist reception June 24, 7-8:30PM. Exhibiting artists will be in attendance. Free, open to the public.

Artist and Graphite Gallery Director Tracy Felix will lead an inspirational tour of Sketching Cascadia on Saturday, July 1 at 1:00PM, followed by an outdoor sketching session. Bring your own art supplies for sketching. Finished by 3:30PM. Free, open to the public.

The Gallery at Graphite is open on Saturdays 12-4 PM; open daily 4-9PM with access through Charcoal Restaurant; and open on Art Walk Third Thursday July 20, 5-8PM. Sketching Cascadia closes July 29.

For group visits of Sketching Cascadia outside of normal gallery hours please email graphite.tara@gmail.com to schedule, available Monday-Saturday.

Graphite is home to the non-profit Art Start Northwest which was founded in 2015 by Mary Olsen and Tracy Felix to champion the creative process and to make art accessible to all. Felix says, “Gabi Campanario is brilliant in bringing this accessible and affordable art form to the forefront. People love it. I’m hoping this show will inspire people to pick up a sketchbook and give it a try.”

About Graphite Arts Center

Graphite Arts Center is Edmonds newest facility dedicated to the arts. Graphite is a vibrant, active, multi-use arts center. Graphite Arts Center includes The Gallery at Graphite; ten artist studios; an art book library; classroom space, and more. Graphite hosts regular movie nights and is open during Art Walk Edmonds on the third Thursday of the month. Graphite and Charcoal restaurant are both located at 202 Main Street, Edmonds WA, 98020.