A new summer series at Plaza Diane will bring live music, art, food, games and fun to the downtown community arts center on Thursday evenings.

Plaza @ Five begins this week and will continue through the end of August. As the name suggests, the events begin at 5 p.m. and are free (unless otherwise noted).

The music and art projects are family-friendly and open to all ages.

“We want art to be accessible to everyone,” said Luke Robertson, who serves on the Plaza Diane board.

Over the years, Plaza Diane has enjoyed hosting a wide range of artists and had successful art openings, as well as good outreach to the schools and community with programming, Robertson said.

“However, the Plaza has been looking for ways to reach out to a broader demographic,” he said.

They also wanted events that would incorporate visual as well as performing arts.

Robertson added that on a personal note, he’s always enjoyed live music downtown.

“I think it contributes to a vibrant main street,” he said. “… I hope that as people arrive they check out some of the downtown shops and after the events stay on Bent Street for dinner and/or a movie.”

Robertson said he thinks back to his days in Laramie, when he’d hear live music, enjoy Jubilee Days or go to the farmers’ market.

“I was drawn downtown for those events and then wanted to stay to do other things; whether I got an evening coffee, checked out the bookstore, or went out to dinner afterwards,” he said.

Robertson added that the initial response to the Plaza @ Five series has been positive.

Most of the music events will feature solo acts, and there also will be a food and a dessert vendor.

Nearly all the events are open to all ages, with the exception of the July 18 Italian dinner, which is “more of a fine dining experience suited towards adults and couples,” Robertson said.

For the Plaza @ Five art projects, all of the materials will be provided. Most are free, but painting a flower pot this week is $5.

“Participants should plan to dress in clothes they don’t mind getting dirty,” Robertson said.

Young children will need an adult’s help for the art projects, but are encouraged to attend, he said.

If the weather is bad on a Thursday night, the events will likely be canceled. Updates will be posted on Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts page on Facebook as well as the Plaza @ Five Facebook page. Plaza Diane is located at  211 N. Bent Street in Powell.

Plaza @ Five schedule

(Free from 5-6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

June 6: Paint a Flower Pot $5 (yours to take home)

June 6: Gallery opening for “Poetic Views 2019” at 6 p.m.

June 13: Josh Westerhold (country/classic rock), Country Grill (donut burgers, etc.), Summer Sickles Tasty Treats (ice cream)

June 20: Paint the Plaza Piano

June 27: Jane Bell (folk/indie/acoustic), Country Grill (donut burgers, etc.), Ice Queen (ice cream)

July 11: Will Nutt (progressive singer/songwriter), Soup R’ Pita, Summer Sickles Tasty Treats (ice cream)

July 18: Italian Dinner $25 (suited for adults and couples)

Aug. 1: Tom Walker (Americana/alt-folk), El Tap Street Tacos, Ohana Shaved Ice

Aug. 8: Build Your Own Pancakes (they’ll grill, and you pick your toppings)

Aug. 15: Yard Games (a few favorite yard games will be set up)

Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m.: Renaissance Festival

Aug. 22: Painting at the Plaza (different types of painting mediums offered)

Friday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m.: Paint the Town Red

Aug. 29: The Specs (classic rock band), El Tap Street Tacos, Ice Queen

‘Poetic Views 2019’ exhibit opens Thursday at Plaza Diane

A new exhibit opening at Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts features work by former Powell residents and artists Elizabeth “Betsy” LaRowe and Meighan LaRowe Perry.

An opening reception for “Poetic Views 2019” will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Artist Elizabeth LaRowe creates colorful watercolor paintings using both traditional and unusual techniques. Her daughter Meighan Perry paints with words creating new poetic forms. This exhibit is a lively collaboration between mother and daughter with Montana and Wyoming as their inspiration, organizers say.

LaRowe said that as a professional artist, capturing a moment and a mood in time has been the driving force of her artistic endeavors.

“I want my audience to enjoy my paintings as much as I enjoy creating them,” she said.

Watercolor paint especially fascinates her.

“In a few brief strokes I can capture the impression of a scene,” she said. “The nature of watercolor allows for spontaneous color mixing.”

She is constantly exploring new surfaces and techniques that challenge the traditional approach to painting with watercolor.

Perry earned her associate’s degree at Northwest College, then moved to Missoula, Montana, where she earned a degree in English and secondary education at the University of Montana.  Since then, she moved to Idaho, where she has taught English for more than 20 years.

She has written poetry for more than 30 years. Lately, she has taken to studying and practicing forms of Japanese and Fibonacci poetry. From this, she developed an offshoot she calls “Anem.”

“The Biblical definition of ‘Anem’ means two fountains,” she said. “In Greek, it is defined as breath, life and wind. My poetic form is similar to both definitions as it flows side by side and while read aloud is brought to life.”

The show will be on display from June 6 through July 13. The gallery is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Light appetizers, treats and beverages will be served during the opening reception Thursday night. Folks can come early and paint their own flower pot at 5 p.m. outside the plaza.