Nikki McClure at GR2

I had already seen Nikki McClure in concert a few times (opening for Kicking Giant), but the first time I met her was in Washington. I'm pretty sure it was 1997, and I had a day job at McGraw-Hill, who flew me up to Seattle for a conference about computers and education. After doing my work, I rented a car and drove to Olympia to meet my friend Tae Won Yu, who showed me around town. We visited K Records, where I got a personal tour from Calvin Johnon. On the streets, I bumped into Lois, Slim Moon, Becca Albee, and L.A.'s own Emily's Sassy Lime . At Yo-Yo records, I met Kento who invited me to ICU's second show ever. Eventually, we wound up visiting Nikki, who was baking a fresh apple and blackberry pie. Delicious.


Ten years later, Olympia is no longer the epicenter of indie rock and Nikki no longer records or performs music. However, her art career has really taken off, going from album covers and community art projects to a much-loved calendar (now in its ninth iteration) and gallery shows around the world. All of it is done with an X-acto knife on paper. She still pays attention to her hometown, though, recently designing a manhole cover!


So I look forward to reconnecting with her on Saturday at GR2 (where Vote For Survival, her new art show, will be opening), as well as checking out her latest works.


In keeping with the art show's title and theme as well as the artist's ongoing platform of social and ecological responsiblity, a booth will be present to provide first-time voters with another chance to register in time for the November 4 election.