Photography Gallery to host grand opening

LEAVENWORTH – Peter James Photography will hold a grand opening for the new downtown Leavenworth gallery on June 6.

The gallery showcases photography from all over Washington state, including local iconic spots such as the Enchantments, Icicle Creek and Olalla Canyon. The 4,000 square foot gallery is designed for visitors to sit and stay awhile, viewing James’ nature photography displayed across the gallery’s showroom, lounge, and an outdoor deck. 

In the lounge, visitors sit and relax with a beverage while using technology to visualize what the photography could look like in their home, or even their outdoor patio.

“From the beginning, our intention was to create a more experience-oriented business, where it's something to do rather than just being a shop…It's a great place to take a date, you know? And it’s the perfect place to buy an anniversary gift for your spouse,” said James.

Visitors can take in the “Master Collection,” of highly-detailed prints on a single panel up to eight feet wide, or the “Large as Life” Collection, in which the photographs are printed across multiple panels six to 30 feet wide. For those looking to take a smaller piece of art with them, the gallery also offers mugs and ready-to-go mini prints for as low as $50.

“We have something for everyone here. That's important to us. It's the sweetest thing. We have young people who have been saving up for a year to buy a $200 print, and it's their first piece of real art. Sometimes, those sales are the most precious, right? We just feel so honored,” said James.

The gallery also features the artwork of James’ wife, iMa James, which blends photographs and graphics in digital collages inspired by nature, with a magical realism style.

“Basically, both of our focus is bringing attention to the reality of the natural world…We cannot exist on this planet without a functioning ecosystem, and everything that it provides,” said James.

The couple has used their art to promote environmental restoration, by making donations to both local and global organizations to plant trees. The Jameses also started a campaign called “Trees are Awesome,” which helps others get involved.

“For the mini prints, we plant ten trees, the master prints, 100 trees, and the “Large as Life” prints, a thousand,” said James.

The gallery opened on May 3 and saw 1,800 people in the first twelve days of opening.

“It's such a delight to share Washington, because a lot of people that come here are visiting from out of the state, or out of the country even, and certainly out of the Valley,” said James. 

The grand opening will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 6, at 633 Front Street, Suite C. The gallery can be spotted by its mural of a photographer snapping photos of an alpine landscape, completed by Gibbs Graphics. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. The gallery will also hold a drawing for a metal print. 

“This is really the ideal time for locals to come check it out right before it gets too busy in the summer,” said James.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media