Erratic
a group exhibition curated by James Alexander

Erratic. Erotic. Errant? Eros?? We digress…

So, exactly how many volunteer fire stations in rural central Washington now operate as unconventional art spaces? Well, we know of at least two. And for this month, we thought it’d be great to join forces and invite James Alexander, owner of what was previously the Naches Heights Fire Station, to rally some of his creative fav’s for a group exhibition in our Thorp fire house. Heck yeah!

This show features four erratic artists, brought in from a distance, to share their work. Each draws from their own physical and emotional experiences, exploring various mediums including acrylics, spray paint, curated found materials, and printmaking. While their processes and execution are driven by individual expression, the outcomes remain unpredictable. Whether shaped by available materials or guided by thought and emotion—meticulous or loose—the results form a unique range of artistic expression.

September’s featured artists: 

J Alexander, Tieton, works with found objects to create his metal-based work. The discards that find their way into his work are often found on the hiking trail, countryside shooting ranges or junk yards and carried out by hand. As he transforms the worn surfaces of aged wood and rusted metal, the objects are renewed to tell a new story.

a.p.gath, Seattle, is an interior designer and artist who incorporates energy in his work through color, multiple built up layers, and most often a maximalist style. These selected pieces are pulled from his ’97 series, a pivotal year in his adolescence: friends, art, music, teenage exploration and rebellion. The work combines memories that are detailed and clear, partial, romanticized and embellished; nostalgic moments we often share despite our various experiences.

Paul D. McKee, Seattle, fabricates art out of remnants. Scraps from previous creations, mementos from the past, and debris from consumer culture are transformed into works that range from minimally formalist to deftly referential.  McKee’s works of art are both memento mori and offerings of renewal and repurpose.

Joseph Steininger, Seattle, is an artist and innovator. Using intricately detailed and hand-cut stencils applied with spray paint, his personal work is influenced by street art culture and printmaking. Using the traditional and time-honored forms of fine art, his pieces are remarkably complex and masterfully represent this contemporary medium.

Additionally, our retail space features Margaret MacLean’s botanical ceramic work. Join us for the opening on Saturday, September 7, noon until 4 pm with live music by Birdie Fenn Cent and Your Jack 2-4pm.

Upcoming Events on the PUNCH Stage:

9/07: Birdie Fenn Cent and Your Jack
[country, folk, Americana] 2-4pm

9/14: Open Mic Talent Extravaganza
hosted by Scotty Jackson 2-4pm

9/21: Star Anna and Friends
[psychedelic Americana] 2-4pm

9/28 (Last Saturday):
Mariachi Noroeste
[Wenatchee-based mariachi] 6-8pm