Leschi ArtWalk showcases local artists, businesses

Leschi was blessed with sun and warm weather for the fourth-annual ArtWalk, which was expanded this year to include more activities for children and more music groups.

Local musicians performed: Seattle Pacific University student Brooke Ritchie, who sang and accompanied herself on guitar; Thanks in Advance, a trio of two folk-and-blues guitarists and a violinist from the Seward Park area; In Rio Time, a Brazilian jazz group of local musicians from the Jazz Night class in Columbia City; and Walking Faces, a two-person harmonic rock-‘n’-roll duo originally from Vermont.

Leavitt Lake Center and the Leschi Community Council sponsored the musical events.

Art booths included colorful paintings by Leschi’s Stephanie Tschida, glasswork and several jewelry makers. Leschi’s Sally Wagner’s work boots and cowboy boots stuffed with thriving succulents were a big hit.

Crafts included favorite chocolatier Herman Lanier and a new addition who offered samples of his barbecue sauce, which he has been perfecting since age 10.

Children enjoyed the talents of our face painter, the helium balloons from 32 Pearls (200 Lake Washington Blvd.), Shave Ice from Park Postal (140 Lakeside Ave., Suite A) and an awesome slide in Leschi Park, courtesy of Dr. Mike Bilikas.

Neighbors enjoyed the map of the Leschi neighborhood and would look for their own house.

Many folks signed up to receive the Leschi News to keep track of events. Jim Snell brought a laptop to show off the Leschi Community Council’s website (leschinews.com), created by website guru Allan Fink.

Leschi Market offered a special deal on prime rib sandwiches, which proved to be wildly popular; the meat department went through nine prime rib roasts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market has been a key player in this event for all four years.

A special project was kicked off during the event: 32 Pearls hygienist Katrina had expressed concern about safety in crossing Lakeside Avenues at the crosswalk by Park Postal, as there are usually large trucks or vans there, blocking the view of the crosswalk by oncoming traffic. The community council provided information about the pedestrian flags and 32 Pearls staff took this on as a community project. Yun Pitre, at the Neighborhood Service Center, obtained the flags.

Bart Evans of BluWater Bistro (102 Lakeside Ave.) hosted the orientation meeting for the vendors and Chris at Park Postal produced all the posters and postcards and provided the shave ice during the event.

This effort between the Leschi Business Association and the Leschi Community Council will take place in 2016 on Sept. 10.


DIANE SNELL is co-president of the Leschi Community Council (leschinews.com). This is republished with permission from Leschi Community Council’s Leschi News.