Soap Lake presents 'potpourri' of spring art

SOAP LAKE — An area floral arranger and an area poet headline the next art event this week in Soap Lake.

The Art Guild of the Soap Lake Area presents its monthly speaker program Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The free art presentation takes place at the Las Brisas Art Center on state Route 17 in Soap Lake.

Guild Vice President Al Lundberg said the guild includes a presentation on the third Wednesday of each month on arts of general interest to Columbia Basin residents.

"This month is kind of a potpourri of spring-themed activities," he said.

Blythe Whiteley, of the Desert Artists of Moses Lake, demonstrates the art of flower arranging, using flowers from her own garden.

Whiteley also does fiber art, and said she found it a little bit strange to be asked to demonstrate arrangements, as opposed to her other artwork, which includes beadwork, jewelry and ceramic work.

"I do consider it an art form," she said. "But I don't consider it the main art form I do."

Whiteley intends to convey anyone can arrange flowers.

"You don't have to stick to real set rules about it," she said. "You just make it look good."

Whiteley has been arranging flowers for a long time, she said, using flowers from her garden.

She urges participants to bring flowers so she will have some to work with, because she does not have very much going on yet.

"It's the wild flowers that are blooming in May, not the cultivated kind, that's a little later," she said.

Moses Lake poet E. Hank Buchmann is another featured speaker. He belongs to the poetry society, and has published a collection of poetry in a booklet called "Turtle Island."

Floral and garden art displays by Soap Lake photographer Penny Rohweder and Ephrata painter Marylin Dayen are on exhibit.

Lundberg hopes for about 60 people in attendance at the free event.

"It's an enjoyable time," he said. "It's a place for people who are artists and more importantly people who are interested in the arts to get together, learn something, talk, share knowledge and their enjoyment of the arts."

Refreshments are served.