Earth Day activities in Newport

By Reader Staff

The Newport Creative District and Evergreen Arts Association have teamed up to plan the first annual Newport Earth Day ArtWalk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The theme is art made of natural elements, recycled materials or otherwise inspired by nature. All businesses in the Newport, Wash. area have been invited to participate; and, so far, 10 businesses have agreed to be venues for exhibits. Organizers said artists have responded enthusiastically, as well.

TJ Kelly Park will be the scene all day for a number of Earth Day art and recycling activities for kids and adults. The POC Democrats will host a voter registration and global warming informational booth. Fire prevention and other forest land information will be available at the DNR booth.

Rookey said the club’s next big project is starting a composting system at SHS.

“This is a big one for me,” she said. “There’s so much food waste at the school. This is the biggest challenge we’d like to accomplish.”

Rookey said the club needs more members to make some of these projects a reality. While it’s difficult to convince her fellow students to care about these issues, Rookey said the Earth Club remains dedicated.

“I’m so young and seeing so many changes in the environment and the world,” said Rookey. “I really want my children and grandchildren and myself to have access to clean water and healthy soil, nutritious food and clean air going into the future. This is the only planet we’ve got.”

In addition to the ArtWalk, there are more Earth Day and other events in Newport, including on Friday, April 21, POC Indivisible is organizing an Earth Day sign waving down by the Big Wheel. Time to be determined.

Friday night will also mark the grand opening of Vessel Gallery and Clay Studio (331 S. Washington Ave.), from 5-8 p.m. Celebrate the opening and support local artist/owner Angela Drew. There will be a free art activity using recycled materials and light refreshments will be provided.

On Saturday, there will be an Earth Day cleanup project in Newport organized by 8-year-old Zeke Stutzman. Participants should meet at the east parking lot of Stratton Elementary (1380 W. Fifth St.) at 9 a.m.

The Newport Roxy Theatre, partnering with Responsible Growth * NE Washington, Washington Department of Natural Resources and others will host a matinee showing of the film Elemental: Reimagine Wildfires, with question-and-answer session following on Saturday, April 22. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the movie starts at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online or at the door (120 S. Washington Ave.).

The Friends of the Library will have a book table and sale outside of the library on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Pend Oreille County Historical Society Museum gift shop will be open, as well as the Visitor Center next door.

Create Arts Center at 900 W. Fourth St. has two offerings on Saturday: The day begins at 10 a.m. with a drawing and writing workshop. In the evening, enjoy the music of the Family Circle Band.

See createarts.org for details and ticket purchases. For more information, email newportcreativedistrict@gmail.com.