Close To The Art -- Pioneer Square Has Become A Hot Spot For Galleries

Seattle is known nationwide for its healthy art scene; how long has it been since you checked it out?

Happily, it couldn't be easier. Pioneer Square has become such a focal point for art galleries that you need go no farther than one block to check out three new gallery locations, and a cross-section of paintings, sculptures, prints, fine crafts, photography, and glass art. What better time than now?

The first new gallery is The Runnings Gallery, 301 Occidental Ave. S. It just had its grand opening last Sunday, and it's a bright new place to find landscapes, thoughtful portraits and cozy still-life paintings. This month's show features paintings by Seattle architect Pierce Milholland, who cheerfully counts among his awards in life a first prize in a potato-sack race at age 5. As you might expect, his paintings have that sort of good humor.

Walk over two doors to the new Twin Cranes Gallery, 309 Occidental Ave. S. Tuo Ya Wong, a former dancer from Beijing, opened the gallery Thursday to show contemporary mainland Chinese artists. Her inaugural exhibit features Sun Shumei, a master artist in Beijing.

Go next door to 313 1/2 Occidental Ave. S. and walk up the stairs to the Foster-White Gallery, where noted Portland artist Hilda Morris is showing abstract sumi paintings. Don't forget to check the back room, where you can find glowing glass art by several of the gallery's regular artists.

Back downstairs, head next door to the Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave. S., where they're showing contemporary paintings by three artists whose work is new to Seattle: James Brunsman, Stephen Dinsmore and Michael Newman.

Cross over to the Silver Image Gallery, 318 Occidental Ave. S. Specializing in photography, it is showcasing a luminous collection of ``Pacific Light'' prints by Jay Dunitz, who produces his images with electricity and rare metals.

Next door is the MIA Gallery, 314 Occidental Ave. S., where you'll find a splendid new show of Kiff Slemmons' jewelry, based on word plays and the shape of the human torso. Kathryn Glowen's ``found object'' constructions, which share the show, are imaginative political statements. Exit by the back door, into the hall, and head to the rear for your next stop.

The Lewis-Wara Gallery, 316 Occidental Ave. S., specializes in carvings from places such as New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The work is fine quality, and unlike anything you're likely to see anywhere else in town. Tucked beside it is the Fuller-Elwood Gallery, which is displaying one large multi-part drawing by Jon Geirlich.

Ready for a breather? Nip into Torrefazione, 320 Occidental Ave. S., for a cup of the best cafe latte in the city.

When you're ready, you'll need to go south one block, toward the Kingdome, for the third new gallery location on Occidental Avenue. The Linda Hodges Gallery, 410 Occidental Ave. S., has as its inaugural show painted steel sculpture by noted Oregon artist Lee Kelly.

Turn right, down Jackson Street to Second Avenue, for a look into one of the city's best-known galleries, the Linda Farris Gallery, 322 Second Ave. S. This month Linda is showcasing one of Seattle's most celebrated young artists, Norie Sato, whose abstract works are drawn from accidental patterns on video screens.

Up the stairs, at 163 S. Jackson St., is the Azart Gallery, which shows the work of contemporary Korean artists.

Before you go home, drop in at the Grand Central Arcade, First Avenue and Main Street, and pick up a loaf of Como bread at the Grand Central Bakery, 214 First Ave. S.

And while you're on First Avenue, stop by the Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking, 202 First Ave. S., to see the ``International Lathe-Turned Goblet Show.''

See what you've been missing?