Drop by the BPA Gallery for First Fridays Art Walk on May 4, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for “THE FULL MONKEY.” In this character-based medley of hand-crafted sock monkeys, each monkey bares their soul in celebration of their own “personhood.” These one-of-a-kind originals come to life somewhere between their body parts and fashion accessories. Each monkey has their own story, yet they share a common purpose – to bring joy into the lives of others. The exhibit runs throughout the month, concurrent with BPA’s May production of The Full Monty. A portion of all sale proceeds made during the exhibit will be donated to Arms Around Bainbridge.

Inspired by the beaches and forests of the Pacific Northwest, Beach Works radiates from a deep and playful inner space – an uncensored zone where I’m free to dive into my imagination. Whether a monkey, poem, or mixed-media creation, each piece reflects a culmination of energy and focus, yet when they’re “finished,” I’m called to continue the journey anew. As with life generally, creative process beckons me to remain open and trusting while venturing into the unknown. It’s mostly a matter of getting out of my own way. Each composition evolves through an interactive, dynamic relationship with the materials, but, setting aside my preconceptions, I repeatedly find myself immersed in projects that follow their own nature to animate their lives.