The PRIMA International was held at the historic Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle, Washington – www.cwb.org

By Charles Fawcett, Secretary PRIMA and Charter Signature Member.

Photos from the Artists Reception, Sept 20, 2019 >>

The Pacific Rim Institute of Marine Artists, formed in 2016 by Bob Bryant and Austin Dwyer, started searching for a good venue for a show in 2017. After a few false starts it was realized that the best possible venue would be The Center for Wooden Boats, the living history maritime museum on Lake Union in the heart of Seattle. The Exhibition would be held in the new, yet to be completed, Wagner Education Center.

We started talks with the CWB early 2019, but they were committed to show- casing their sponsors following their opening of the Wagner Education Center in April 2019. However we were fairly persistent and suggested that we should hold a show in the Fall to coincide with the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, which always attracts thousands of visitors to numerous marine activities . Finally, Brandt Faatz, the Executive Director, agreed.

The PRIMA board decided on a juried marine show open to all, and appointed John Horton (Vancouver BC) , Mike Casad (WA) and Dutch Mostert (OR) as Jurists.

We attracted around 90 entries from 45 artists throughout the US – including Hawaii, and also from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Due to space limitations, the show is confined to 40 pieces which were hung in the main hallway and reception area on September 16, 2019

Brandt and his team of staff and volunteers at the CWB worked extremely hard to help make the show a success and help attract foot traffic.

Photos from the Artists Reception, Sept 20, 2019 >>

A fun Artists Reception was held on September 20th with about 100 guests attending. The well known Gallery Owner, Rick Kirsten, acted as judge and awarded prizes to Ned Mueller, Buck Braden, Austin Dwyer, the late Grant Saylor, Robert Tandecki, Edwin Kayton and Kimberly Wurster. During the reception, Mike Casad and Ned Mueller did much appreciated demos.

The PRIMA show ran through January 3rd , 2020. For more information please go to www.primaonline.org and www.cwb.org

Footnote: Charles Fawcett has been a volunteer sailing instructor at the Center for Wooden Boats since 2002, is a life member and was Volunteer of the Year in 2011.