West Seattle Artist Kelly Lyles has turned our back gallery into her own CANDYLAND. This show will include 50 small candy “portraits” in additon to a floor piece that will take you onto the board game we all remember from our childhood.

Artist Statement:
Life is fun – I’d like viewers to share that.

With assistance from a 4Culture grant, I’ve completed a new series, an interactive themed show called CANDYLAND. CANDYLAND, a popular board game for children originally created over 70 years ago (and continually revised, reiterating the timelessness of the theme).

Candy is universal and International, every country has a favorite packaged sweet and a love of sugary treats. In this political and economic climate, I think play and humor are much needed antidotes, so this grouping exemplifies our simple commonality. Candy is colorful and visual; nostalgically evoking childhood memories (whether rewards, even bribery, or conversely the “forbidden”) in a lot of adults, encouraging playfulness and happiness. This is also a personal theme for me – I always keep candy only in my studio as a lure to begin work!
~Kelly Lyles