Gallery at Town Center features Ellen Miffitt & Karin Vance Chickadel

The Gallery at Town Center, Lake Forest Park, features the work of over 90 local artists. This month's two new artists, Ellen Miffitt and Karin Vance Chickadel, grace the walls at the Gallery. 

See these works and the creations of artists during gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, Noon-5pm or Sunday 11am-4pm. The show runs through November 15.

Ellen Miffitt

Ellen Miffitt in her own words:


“Mindful of the moment, my mixed media pieces simply express a deep appreciation for life and time passing represented by the circle. In Sumi-e the Enso [circle] is very representative of Zen concepts. The abstraction aspect of an Enso offers a whole new feeling of flowing energy and strength.  Building layers and surface quality with collage, paint, gel medium and fabric create depth, form relationships and increase texture. It's all about the process: exciting, experimental, spontaneous freedom of being in the now inspired by the beauty, inner calm and mystery of life.

"After moving to the Pacific Northwest, I started painting sumi-e in January of 2002 with Fumiko Kimura and registered “Nine Lives Studio” in Oct of 2002.  As an artist I am constantly involved with that process of transformation: spirit to image on paper. Teaching art is an important part of my own artistic growth because the synergy and exchange of ideas is a catalyst for my creative process.”

Karin Vance Chickadel

Karin Vance Chickadel in her own words:


“I find the process of making and transforming accessible materials an integral part of life. I am most inspired by everyday objects, cityscapes and landscapes. I like to use these inspirations in my work and present them in unexpected ways to intrigue viewers and to make visual art that is welcoming and engaging.

"I discovered the niche of artist’s books while earning my MAAT at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I went on to focus my studies at Columbia College Chicago, where I earned my MFA in Book and Paper Art in 2005. In my work, I employ the inherent properties of physical books and the approachability of everyday objects and scenes to make work that is portable and permanent, comprehensible and thought-provoking.

"I am attracted to the accordion form because of the structural strength resulting from the methodically created multiple folds. Repeating folds gives increased edge strength to once pliable, flimsy sheets of paper that allows new objects to emerge from the familiar material. The accordion form also allows the viewer to potentially play with the dimensions of my layered scenes. Books and scenes can be pulled to elongate the paper and reveal more of each layer and images contained in those layers or folded more tightly to create more hidden nooks. Looking at my pieces from different angles can uncover different ‘readings’ of my books and sculptures, adding a furtive playfulness to the work that is reflective of my personality.

"I create the scenes in my books and sculptural pieces using a variety of techniques including cutting with an Xacto knife. Balancing the relationship between the images I develop, the choices of where to carve and cut, and keeping the structural integrity of the pieces intact, is a challenge I enjoy navigating.”

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture all of the arts in the community through programs and events, arts education, advocacy, and support for artists and arts organizations. Proceeds from the Gallery at Town Center help fund these programs and events.