Artist(s): Justin Gibbens
Venue: Punch Projects, Thorp, WA
Exhibition Dates: 2026-09-05 – 2026-09-26

Open 12-5pm Saturdays in September for “Among the Birds” in the Punch Gallery and live performances on the Punch Stage 3-5pm. On the “Last Saturday” of the month, we’ll be open late with food from DR BBQ, reggae from “Black Grenade” 12-4pm and psychedelic electro cumbia with “Terror/Cactus” 5-7pm.

This September, PUNCH debuts a survey of original bird illustrations by Thorp local Justin Gibbens. These watercolor pieces were developed for national bestselling author Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s latest book release titled Among the Birds. Published by Mountaineers Press, this collection of personal essays takes the reader on a journey through the avian world of familiar Northwest birds. For his part, Gibbens responded to each essay, providing a visual counterpoint to the narrative text using his signature brand of stylized naturalism and whimsy.

Gibbens is a founding member of PUNCH Projects, a central Washington-based artist collective. Gibbens was trained in both scientific illustration and traditional Chinese fine line painting–a skill set that he employs in his unconventional zoological paintings. He is represented by G. Gibson Projects in Seattle, WA. In addition to his studio practice, Gibbens illustrates books and paints larger-scale public murals. Gibbens lives in rural Thorp, Washington with his dangerously talented wife Renee Adams. When not in his studio, Gibbens can be found roaming shrub-steppe hills of central Washington with his hound Hansel, whilst spotting birds and chasing reptilian inhabitants.