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The Washington State Art Scene

© Jerri Brooker

Where do I start?

There's so much talent in this state I could write a book about art. Since I have only the space of a column, then a good overview looks like the best route. As managing editor here at the Suite for the Arts topic, I think it's about time I bring a little arts information about Washington State to the helm. We've got a strong arts community in this state. So why not share it?

One of your first stops to learn about art in Washington is the .Washington State Arts Commission. Here you can learn about art around the state and the new Folk Arts tours being offered online, along with Art in Education and Art in Public Places. This site also has a wealth of information and tons of links to the art communities in the state such as the Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and Spokane Arts Commissions, to name a few. Don't miss surfing around to all the arts commissions and organizations all over the state.

Interested in a variety of art? There are some great sites giving you a bit different look at arts in Washington. Myrna Orsini of The Monarch Contemporary Art Center of Tenino I featured in my last article is at thisVisual Artists' Site, along with other artists. You could spend hours here. The site is not only full of visual arts links, but also mixed media, performing arts, literary arts and media/film/video arts sites.

Art Oasis is a site started by a Camano Island ex-Microsoft employee, Gayle Picken, who decided to promote her husband's and other Camano Island artists' work.

Into art glass? Seven glass artists practice at the The Glasshouse Studio, the oldest glassblowing studio in the northwest.

Like dance? The Filipino-American Association of the Tri-Cities of Washington (Richland, Pasco and Kennewick) has a great site explaining 13 folk dances their dance troupe performs. Learn about their organization and performing arts, then follow some of the great links to learn about the Tri-Cities area of Washington. I'll be covering it in a later column.

How about music? Check out the Federal Way Philharmonic site. They've been around since 1960 and offer great incentives to their musicians.

Film? The Olympia Film Society is a vibrant part of the Olympia arts scene. Read about the Olympia Film Ranch and what they are up to these days.

Children's Art? Here's a picture of one of my favorite child artists, Hannah of Rochester, Washington: Hannah has some real potential in the art world, and a little encouragement and education will help her along to be a great artist. If she chooses just to do it for her own enjoyment, that's okay, too.

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