By Scott D. Johnston

The Fall Gala art show in the John Spellman Library at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen celebrates its 25th anniversary with an opening reception that offers the public an opportunity to meet the artists, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.

The exhibit runs Monday through Saturday until Dec. 7. A juried show, it features 24 area artists whose works covers a wide variety of media.

Valerie Busch, Spellman Library’s Circulation Manager, produces the annual event, this year with the assistance of Associated Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS). Busch said the non-profit area arts group that has operated on the North Coast since 1974 “has been doing a fantastic job helping get everything situated.”

Ed Schroll, AAOS board president, said Busch asked his group to do a “2017 Winter Festival” exhibit that ran in March. “I think Valerie was impressed,” Schroll said. “She asked if we would consider helping her with the Fall Gala.” A six-member committee of AAOS members has been working with Busch and others for about six months.

The Fall Gala is “a premier art show event in Grays Harbor County; over the years, a prestige place … for artists to get into,” Schroll said, enjoying his third year in the show. “I was really thrilled that I made it in” the first time, he recalled. “It’s a real honor to be part of the Fall Gala.”

“We have a really good show this year,” Busch said. “It’s been exciting to put up several new artists,” plus new work from returning artists.

Busch explained that, beyond the basic, broad appeal of art exhibits, “the college is very interested in being involved in the community.” Events like the Fall Gala “draw people in… let them see what a great campus we have here. Sometimes all it takes is someone to come up and see what we have to offer.”

This year’s edition honors one of its founders, Bev King Lufkin, who passed away July 3rd at her Aberdeen home. Schroll remembered her as “a very sweet lady” who worked mostly in watercolors and acrylics. Her last piece is included in the exhibit.

The John Spellman Library at Grays Harbor College gallery hours are Monday through Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday,

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; and closed Sunday. more information is available at www.ghc.edu/calendar/fall-gala-opening-reception-1. Information about AAOS is online at www.associatedarts.org.