Chicken-themed show opens at Up Town Art Gallery

MOSES LAKE — A whole flock of artists contributed to The Chicken Show at Up Town Gallery in Moses Lake on Friday.  

“We have over 40 entries, from as far away as Colfax,” said Up Town Gallery co-owner Judy Kalin.

Two walls were covered with poultry paintings of all media, from big, intimidating roosters to cute little cartoon drawings. Not all the entries were paintings, either; there was a heavy concrete sculpture by Dee Dee Flores and several ceramic chicken-shaped whistles by Kris Chudomelka. 

The Chicken Show wasn’t the gallery’s first themed show, but Kalin and Hickman were pulling out all the stops for this one. There were refreshments in the form of chicken wings and deviled eggs, and live silkie chickens to cluck at the attendees. 

The idea was hatched when Kalin saw some work by fellow Women Painters of Washington member Nancy Rothwell of Colfax. 

“I went down to pick up some paintings that she had picked up from another show, and she asked me if I would like to see her studio, and I said, absolutely,” Kalin said. “These chickens caught my eye and I said, ‘Now I know what the theme of my next show is going to be.’ That’s what has inspired all of this.”

Rothwell has several paintings of her own on display, including an oil of a chick with yellow and orange tones called “Chicken Little,” and another of a rooster called “Mr. Purple.” 

“He’s serious,” said Alysha Gee, who had come into the gallery out of curiosity “He’s got that old man, don’t-mess-with-me look.” 

The gallery still had non-chicken-related art displayed as well, including a wall full of feather paintings by Hickman. 

Up Town Gallery opened in May, one of five businesses sharing the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Catalyst Center downtown. Besides the gallery space itself, Kalin and Hickman have the use of a connecting hallway where the refreshments were laid on and a conference room where they hold art classes. 

The Chicken Show will be on display at the gallery through Feb. 23. 

“If you have another theme you’d like to see, let me know,” Kalin said. “Every six weeks or so we (put on) a new show.” 

Up Town Art Gallery 

301 W. Broadway Ave., Ste. A 

Moses Lake 

Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

https://bit.ly/UpTownGalleryML 

    The art works at The Chicken Show included watercolors, sketches and oils like “Mr. Purple,” shown here dominating one wall of Up Town Art Gallery.
  

    Besides paintings, The Chicken Show included pieces like this concrete sculpture by Dee Dee Flores.
  

    Also in attendance at The Chicken Show at Up Town Art Gallery were silkie chickens Pearl, in front, and Grayson.