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See 2019 FAB page 6

Love Art, Love Life! www.lakewoodfestival.org Issue: 4st Qtr, 2019

Lakewood Film, arts & book Festival

news & updates2019 FAB Festival Wraps 7th EventSave the Date: October 2-4 is set for FAB-2020!

Throughout Puget Sound (and far beyond) are many organizations dedicated to some facet or other of the world of art. This column will be examining those groups and their modus operandi to help you locate one that is most suitable to your medium and mindset. If you have a group you would like highlighted in this newsletter please send your sug-gestion to: lakewoodnews@harbornet.com.

Meager is a term often given to startups - usually justifiably so. Such a term can certainly be applied to the Lakewood FAB Festival, a joint annual showcase of several disciplines of the creative mind. The following pages will testify to the abundance of creative talent in our region. But, as the time rapidly rolls around to begin planning for the 2020 festival, it is only proper that a tip-of-the-hat be given to the numerous (though often not numerous enough) local residents that give of their time, talents and energy to bring together a smooth Film, Arts and Books

event, the likes of which has never existed in Lakewood before. Perhaps it should also be noted that a few have also given generously of their own funds to get this project off the ground and keep it growing to the point of being self-sustaining, a goal still a bit farther down the road.

The problem here is to attempt to recognize so many people and not inadvertently overlook others who have participated in some way over the past year - in fact over the past six years that it has taken the beginnings of a few good ideas to evolve into one great event.

It is interesting is that an event that recognizes primary creative disciplines has been stitched together at the hands of so many dedicated people with virtually no artistic ambitions or history at all! Their goals were simply to develop for their community an event to recognize local artistic endeavors and provide a venue to bring those efforts and talents to the people.

The initial event focused on film. Though not the indie type film-making of near-secret groups of local film producers, the event presented full blown feature films of Asian origins. The Asian Film Festival was launched by Phil Raschke of Lakewood and provided free viewing of unique and award-winning productions that most viewers might never have otherwise been aware of. The venue initially was the Lakewood Playhouse. The 2015 venue was Pierce College in conjunction with Lakewood Sister Cities and incorporated an art competition. In 2016

Phil Raschke Bob Lawrence Ed Trobaugh Shirley Petersen

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2019ArtsFestWinners

Photography Painting

1st Place: Cold Day, William Harris

2nd Place: Ready to Ride, Kathy Admire

3rd Place: Cape Buffalo, Lindale Wakeley

3rd Place: Pikes Place

SalmonKaren Petrillose

Hon. Mention:Tranquility,

Carolyn Shotwell

2nd Place: Forest Inhabitant, Marjorie Mankin

Hon. Mention Towhee, David Hurd

1st Place: Magoo Attends Toy Reunion, Janette Stiles

Categories were judged by Ron Snowden (painting) and Ed Kane (photography). There were many artists that deserved recognition but didn’t make the final list for reasons perhaps even the judges could not quantify. There are a few set guiding principles that elevate art to a winning place, but rules often fall by the wayside when an image breaks the rules and stands out, even screams to grab the viewer.

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Getting It Together

After collecting hardware and other materials from various storage locations the setup begins. Here Ed Trobaugh assembles new easels for oversized artwork.

Tables for authors are set up in a pre-arranged and numbered order to enable Writers to quickly locate their assigned locations.

The theatre is arranged early so that Author Dorothy Wilhelm can record her radio program before the room is turned over to film presentations.

The art dispaly system is put together like a set of Linclon Logs. The lack of hardware enables an entire room of art racks to be finished in an hour, covered with cloth material and art work

Supplies arrive for the snack bar

Key to the success of FAB is volunteerism. Before, during and after each annual event each aspect of the operation is examined, adjusted and tested as best it can be to insure that problems of past events are eliminated. Volunteers arrive hours early and (L) are fueled with popcorn and drinks. Kat Flores and Darryl Owens (R) Go over final checks on volunteers and authors’ table arrange-ments. In the meantime the gallery has been set up and the judging commences.(Below)

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Showtime! Books, Music & Painting DemosFar Left: Don Brown, (MG, RET.) husband of Joan Brown, the author of the book “Move,” greets an early visitor at the opening of the Film, Arts and Book Festival

Left: Renowned author and humorist Dorothy Wilhelm (seated) talks with an interested visitor about her latest book, True Tales of Puget Sound.

In addition to individual authors attending the Book Fest portion of the Lakewood Film, Arts & Book Festival are book publishers. At right (green shirt) is David Horowitz, author and publisher at Rose Valley Press. Far right in light blue shirt is author and publisher Jerome Gold at Black Heron Press.

Susanne Bacon, (far left)author and volunteer in getting the first book event up and running, presents a potential customer with bookmarks. Bacon has authored numerous novels with some based on actual local towns.Jolene Loraine Bartelt, surrounded by fans of her genre, is the founder and owner of the film company “White Horse Entertain-ment” and author of the book “Hoofbeats of the Northwest” and “Night Hawk,” a sci-fi series.

(left) Hanford McCloud of the Nisqually Tribe explains his process for weaving his derby-style hats using strips of xxxwood. (above) Flutist Jeannie Hill, has been a regular entertainer at the annual Film, Arts and Book Festival. (right) Ron Snowden was this year’s artist in action. A watercolor artist, he amazed his audience with the ease and speed in which his Indian portrait developed from a blank page to a beautiful painting.

Film Volunteer and Author Share a Smile at FAB Fest Story and Photo by Phil Raschke Lakewood resident and FAB Film Volunteer Jenny Cho shares a smile with author Jolene Loraine Bartelt at the 7th Annual FAB Fest held at Sharon McGavick Center, Sep 13, 14, 15. Cho has been the FAB volunteer film projectionist’s for the last 5 years. Bartelt, who writes under the name “Jolene Loraine”, is the founder and owner of the film company “White Horse Entertainment” and author of the book “Hoofbeats of the Northwest”. “Hoofbeats” tells how the horse has worked alongside humans for centuries and one only has to travel around Western Washington to see how these magnificent animals continue to influence our lives. Mason is also the author of the “Night Hawk” sci-fi series and currently resides in Auburn, WA.

Wedding Author, Minister, First Time FAB Visitor! Story and Photo by Phil Raschke Appearing at the 2019 FAB Fest for the first time was bestselling author Dayna Jo Mason. Mason, who grew up in a “low-income neighborhood” of Seattle quickly gained firsthand knowledge of cultural, economic and social diversity. As she grew up she attended numerous weddings of family and friends. Some of the weddings were of a religious nature and others had a non-religious ceremony. Mason noted, however, that both types of weddings had a strong focus on “love and commitment”. To better understand various forms of the wedding ceremony, Mason became an ordained minister and soon went to work on a book designed to assist all marrying couples whether they be religious or non-religious. Her book “Do-it-Yourself Wedding Ceremony: Choosing the Perfect Words and Officiating Your Unforgettable Day” was a labor of love designed to help and inform all marrying couples regardless of religious belief or ethnicity. You can learn about Mason and her other books to include “Funerals and Memorials: Creating the Perfect Ceremony to Remember Your Loved One” at:www.facebook.com/daynajoauthor/

Amy Barela Wins Autographed Lee Oskar Print Story by Phil Raschke The just completed 2019 Film, Art, Book (FAB) fest featured a drawing for an autographed “giclee” of a Lee Oskar painting from Oskar’s “Dreams We Share” gallery. Oskar, recognized worldwide for his acclaimed harmonica music with rock-soul bands “LowRider” and “War”, donated the print to support this year’s three day FAB event. Drawing winner was Amy Barela, a member of the U. S. Army at Joint Base Lewis McChord. A thrilled Barela said “I’ve never won anything before, this is absolutely wonderful! Thank You FAB and Lee Oskar.” Barela has served in the Engineer branch of the Army for 16 years and hails from Los Lunas, NM. Her autographed print titled “Destiny” is from Oskar’s limited edition “Sunsets Collection”. Besides painting, Oskar has several Gold and Platinum recordings and was voted Billboard’s “Instrumental Artist of the Year” in 1976. The 2020 FAB is currently set for Oct 2-4 at the Sharon McGavick Center on the campus of Clover Park Technical College. Right: FAB co-producer Phil Raschke shares a happy moment with Amy Barela, winner of the Lee Oskar painting titled “Destiny”.

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2019 FAB

This newsletter is produced by Ed Kane/Freelance Graphics as a communications tool for Lakewood FAB and the local creative communmity

Raschke invited photographer Ed Kane, who had served in Saigon, to exhibit his series of images of life in that city, and to set up the first author table to sell his newly published book, Roads to Ruins, A Guide to the Medieval Castles of Germany. Both presentations were in addition to the fledgling art competition. It was in the following year Lakewood Municipal Judge Ernie Heller (now retired) gathered a number of locals to discuss the start of an arts festival. Those locals included Bob Lawrence, Phil Raschke, Shirley Petersen, Ed Trobaugh, Lonnie Lai and Ed Kane. It happened that retired military members played a major role in the formation of the group of volun-teers. All, it turned out, are Vietnam veterans including a former deputy commander of McChord U.S. Air Force Base and an Army major general. Wives of those retired military personnel testified to the value of their presence in our community by pitching in over the festival weekend to assure a smooth-running operation. Petersen, one of the few artists involved in the newly formed committee, is the wife of another retired military officer, who also volunteers with setting up and tearing down each event. Other individuals and organizations called on to provide input and support were past presidents of Pierce College, the Elks Lodge in Lakewood, Dr. Joyce Loveday of Clover Park Vocational College (now Technical College), Rotary Clubs, the City of Lakewood, Sisters Cities, Pierce County Library, Fort Lewis Museum, Pierce County Crime Stoppers and others.

Currently the board is headed by Bob Lawrence. As for this year’s festival, he proclaimed it a success, saying, “The 7th annual festival was everything we hoped for, hundreds of visitors, special guest presentation by Dorothy Wilhelm, art presentation by Ron Snowdon, 39 authors from 6 counties, $2000 prize money for the winning artists, 8 great films, bonsai exhibit, Lakewood Playhouse performances, live radio broadcasts and, for the first time, a Nisqually Indian Tribe art display and presentation. Lawrence and the key board members will meet monthly throughout the coming year to plan changes for the upcoming festival. Growth, based on what was popular and/or more successful in 2019, guided discussions for the future. Lawrence said, “Next year’s Film, Art & Book (FAB) Festival may potentially add more performances including ethnic dances, live performances, three-dimensional art, puppet shows and a film production exhibit. Dates for the 2020 festival are confirmed for October 2-4, 2020, again at McGavick Center.

Volunteers — A Festival’s EssenceEveryone working to make the festival a success is a volunteer, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the fun.

As mentioned in our front page article, the Lakewood Film, Arts & Book Festival (FAB), is entirely volunteer staffed. Perhaps one day, when the festival has grown up to be self-sustaining there may be paid positions. But that is a long ways down the road. Until then we need volunteers of every ilk.

Most volunteers at FAB get invloved only on the weekend of the event. But there is a need for indi-

Beverly Raschke Dr. Lonnie Lai Ed Kane Chuck Mathias

viduals that want to have a hand in the future and direction of the festival. Meetings are once a month and last an hour to two hours and are made up of exchanges of ideas about every aspect of the organiza-tion’s operations. No special skills, for the most part, are required. If you would like to be a part of our local history contact Kat Flores at kflores@cityoftacoma.org or Ed Kane at lakewoodnews@harbornet.com.