July 2026
April Robinson
First Friday Reception to Meet the Artist:
First Friday July 10, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 pm
203 N Washington Street, Spokane
April Robinson is a North Idaho–based artist whose work explores beauty, identity, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. After years spent in social work and ministry, she returned to art as a place of healing—discovering in the creative process a sense of freedom, presence, and renewal.
Working in oils, acrylic, mixed media, and glass mosaic, April creates layered, expressive pieces inspired by her travels, relationships, and inner life. Her work moves between realism and impression, often infused with vibrant color and emotional depth.
Rooted in her belief that art speaks where words fall short, April’s work is an invitation—to pause, to feel, and to reconnect with both the seen and unseen beauty within and around us.
AUGUST 2026
Robyn Smith
First Friday Reception to Meet the Artist:
First Friday August 7, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 pm
203 N Washington Street, Spokane
Hi! I'm Robyn and I started painting in 2009. I used to think I couldn’t paint because I couldn’t draw – but once I learned painting is a process – I was hooked!
I find that art is an adventure that never gets old – there are so many possibilities….and I do love to explore! I have a passion for guiding others in exploring art in a way they might not have thought of before! One of my favorite areas is Mixed Media and Art Journaling. There is no right or wrong. It's experiencing art through play - and that's where we learn the most! It allows for the “what if “ question and opens the door to experiment with different textures, layers, and mediums. I also LOVE repurposing items into my art - old records, maps, old sheet music, patterns, tissue paper....(yes, I need a bigger house for my stash of "art supplies")!
I have been teaching classes in the Spokane area since 2013. I have taught acrylic on canvas, glassware painting, fabric painting, watercolor, 3D wood projects, alcohol inks, art journaling, mono-printing (Gel Press), and various mixed media classes. In addition to teaching public classes, I also teach home/private paint parties.
I've been married for 34 years, have 4 adult children, and my greatest pleasure is being “Nana” to my GrandBlessings!
If you have any questions about my classes – please feel free to contact me at 509-990-8011, or by email at RobynSmithArtAdventures@gmail.com.
Website: www.RobynSmithArtAdventures.com Instagram: @robynsmith_artadventures
September 2026
Barbara Anderson & Patty DriscolL
First Friday Reception to Meet the Artists:
First Friday Sept 4, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 pm
203 N Washington Street, Spokane
Barbara Anderson and Patty Driscoll both work in soft pastels and often choose similar subject matter for their pieces. Friends for close to thirty years, creative souls and art lovers, they decided to embark on a creative journey after raising their families. Their very first pastel class was at a local art school, and they were the only adults in the class. But they were hooked! They traveled and learned together with many professional artists which put them on the right track. In 2024, they were thrilled to have been offered a sixth month residency at the Hive where sharing a studio, allowed the experimentation, collaboration and the creation this body of work. Barbara’s work is on the left side of the main wall and Patty’s is on the right and on the side wall.
From Patty Driscoll:
“I have always been drawn to colors, and the immediacy of putting brilliant color to paper is the reason pastels are my primary medium. Every mark made with a pastel disperses tiny crystals on the paper, creating a dusting of luminosity. The layers that develop have a sense of mystery that cannot be produced with any other medium. Take a moment, stand back from the image, and then move up close to it - can you see the luscious layers of luminosity? Pastels give an artist the ability to create images quickly, but they are forgiving in the sense that changes can be easily made. In my work, I take things of beauty and create an image that will remain with the viewer. I hope the images I create will act as a salve as we are confronted by life in an often-unforgiving world.”
From Barbara:
“I have always been an artist at heart but making time to create was a challenge for many years. Now, in a new life chapter, I am reconnecting with that artistic self. Through workshops and experimentation, I discovered the luminosity of soft pastels and have been working in this medium for several years. My work is about capturing the beauty of the natural world with layers of pastel strokes, bringing depth and life to the everchanging textures of nature. I’m captivated by the play of light and shadow in nature and strive to convey these contrasts with a unique voice. Recently I have been incorporating oil and cold wax into my practice. I love the spontaneity of these mediums and the possibilities of combining these different processes is my current passion.”
For purchase inquiries, please reach out to the artists directly.
Learn more about the artists
Barbara Anderson: Instagram @catbird992023
Patty Driscoll: Instagram @pdriscoll57. Find her cards at The Rocket Market