Arts buzz builds in Issaquah

When Ballard artist Reneé Pound decided to open a second glassblowing studio to teach more students, she didn't consider Seattle. Or Bellevue.

She chose Issaquah.

"As an artist, you can feel it," Pound said. "There is a buzz in downtown Issaquah."

This former farm town is fast gaining a reputation as an artsy destination spot. With nearly 100 resident artists, a growing number of galleries and studios downtown, and an artists co-op gallery that opened in April, the vibe on Front Street is slowly evolving from small-town quaint to culturally hip.

"There are a lot of things going on now that were nonexistent a year ago," said Sosie Sagherian, executive director of Art Collective Issaquah, a co-op formed to promote the arts in the city. "The potential is so huge."

This year, city-held "ArtWalks" have brought more than 3,000 visitors to Issaquah's core. Artists and city leaders say that the galleries — including a wine bar/art gallery and Pound's glassblowing studio slated to open this month — are revitalizing the downtown and giving people a reason to hang around after dinner and a show at the Village Theatre.

The shift has caught the eye of Bellevue Community College officials, who will launch painting and other art classes in Issaquah starting Jan. 1, as part of the continuing-education program.

"Issaquah is really poised for art," said Kristen Hatcher, who oversees the BCC program. "They are doing a lot of new things out there that are coming to fruition."

Many credit real-estate developer Keith Watts and his artist-wife, Kate, for helping bring the city's vision of an arts destination to life. The couple arrived three years ago from Milwaukee, where Keith Watts owned a video-production company and his wife was a photographer and mixed-media artist.

In June 2005, Keith Watts bought 20,000 square feet of commercial space on Front Space for $3.5 million with the idea of redeveloping the strip into an art and retail zone by leasing to artists and specialty boutiques.

"What we've had in Issaquah is a street that's been mostly about service," Watts said. "People come to eat, and then they glance in the window of the insurance company and leave. We're trying to change that."

Other longtime residents say that after more than 20 years of mostly languishing, faded storefronts, Front Street is finally coming together.

"Nobody ever came into the downtown. It was just the tired old road near the highway," said Greg Spanger, executive director of the Downtown Issaquah Association. "Now Issaquah is becoming more of a cultural center where people can come and get their art fix, their heritage fix and that warm, fuzzy this-is-a-cool-place-to-walk-around fix."

When Issaquah ArtWalks was started five years ago by the Downtown Issaquah Association, there was only one gallery on Front Street, so much of the art was displayed inside local stores — from the meat shop to the hardware store. There was little interest at first, but now the events draw big crowds from around the region. Three walks are held in the summer, with seven Front Street galleries and studios expected to participate in the Sept. 8 event. The association is considering adding more walks during the rest of the year, Spanger said.

At Up Front [art], the new co-op gallery, paintings, jewelry, even handmade soap are for sale. Sherry Pepke, an acrylic painter and Issaquah resident who shows her work at the gallery, said she's amazed by how the arts scene has taken off here recently.

"We have such a neat little community of artists, and people are coming from all over to see what's going on here," Pepke said.

Next door, the Lady in Red Studio & Gallery showcases work by local painter Rita Gesinger. Monart School for the Arts across the street offers classes in drawing and mixed media.

And above Stan's BBQ, Kate Watts, owner of Rhino Studios, has held exhibits ranging from paintings of distorted human figures to sculptures comprised of typewriter parts.

"Basically, I'm going after that whole New York feel," said Kate Watts. "I want to get rid of that sameness and find something different. Something up-and-coming."

Watts said the diversity of art on Front Street fuels her work and that of others.

"When you're stuck on something and you invite others to check it out, the encouragement is what pushes you," she said.

The growth in arts venues has hit critical mass, Watts said. "You really need at least three galleries for people to say, 'I'm going to get off the highway and see some art.' And that's happening here."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com