To register or for more information, please click the link after each class, call 360-753-8380 or stop by to see us at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia.
Performing Arts & Dance
Guitar II, May 14-28
All About Guitar Chords, Jun 4
Ukulele Summer Songs, Jun 10-Jul 8
Yes, You Can Play the Ukulele! Part 1, Jun 20-Jul 25
K-pop Dance, Jun 20
Adult Beginning Violin/Fiddle, Jun 22-Jul 20
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Life Drawing, May 13-27
Mixed Media Monotype, May 16
Intermediate Watercolor, Jun 2-Jul 7
Life Drawing, Jun 3-17
Beginning Watercolor, Jun 4-Jul 19
Beginning Drawing, Jun 4-Jul 19
Travel Sketching with Watercolor/Pencil, Jun 6
Beginning Oil Painting, Jun 6-Jul 18
Large Flower Power Workshop, Jun 8-Jun 29
Color Your Canvas Painting - Hometown America, Jun 11
Shibori, Jun 13
Glass Flowers Cast in Glass, Jun 13
Summer Solstice Mandala, Jun 20
Starscapes, Jun 27
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"Echoes of the Unseen" - A Solo Exhibition by Kelly Marie Dawson
The Evergreen State College is proud to present Echoes of the Unseen, a solo exhibition by multimedia artist and experimental filmmaker Kelly Marie Dawson. Blending photography, autobiographical storytelling, and experimental film, the exhibition invites viewers into an intimate exploration of memory, identity, resilience, and inner transformation.
Through a series of evocative photographic works and two original short films, Dawson creates a dreamlike visual landscape that moves between the seen and unseen worlds. Rooted in somatic listening, meditation, and personal reflection, the work explores how the body carries memory and how nature, movement, and silence can become portals for healing and self-discovery.
Drawing from a lifelong creative journey as a filmmaker, artist, yoga teacher, and storyteller, Dawson's work embraces fragmentation, motion blur, symbolism, and experimental imagery to challenge traditional narrative structures. Echoes of the Unseen becomes both a personal autobiography and a collective meditation on intuition, transformation, and the courage to listen deeply to one's inner voice.
The exhibition will be held at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
Exhibition Dates & Times:
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Thursday, May 28 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Friday, May 29 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Saturday, May 30 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Sunday, May 31 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location:
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505
This exhibition is open to the public.
Historic Olympia Celebrates America 250!
The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum invite you to join this once-in-a-lifetime celebration marking 250 years since the founding of the United States - and we can't wait to celebrate this incredible milestone with our community.
Come spend the afternoon of Saturday May 16 at the beautiful Lord Mansion in Olympia's South Capitol Historic District neighborhood. At the party you'll enjoy delicious appetizers, local beer and wine, inspiring speakers, live music, and of course, a birthday cake. Together, we'll honor Olympia's rich history and its special place in the story of America at its semiquincentennial. Space is limited, so we encourage you to get your tickets soon!
You also won't want to miss our in-person silent auction, featuring an exciting mix of collectibles, art, gift baskets, wines, staycations, and local experiences; you will find something special at all price points. You're welcome to come and go as you please - but for the best chance to take home your favorite items, plan to stay until the very end!
Event Details:
All event proceeds support our ongoing work to preserve and share Olympia's history and maintain the historic Bigelow House Museum. The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum is a certified 501(c)(3) organization.
Thank you for being part of our community and helping us keep Olympia's history alive. We can't wait to celebrate America 250 with you on May 16 at the Lord Mansion!
Olympia Poetry Network May Meeting
Olympia Poetry Network May featured poet and open mic
Terri Cohlene is celebrating the release of her first full-length poetry collection, A Conspiracy of Blackbirds, published by MoonPath Press. She is the editor of Godiva Speaks I& II, and her poems have appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. The author of nine books for children, she is also co-designer of two tabletop role-playing games for Heart of the Deernicorn. Terri serves on the board of the Olympia Poetry Network where she recently co-curated their anthology, Let It Burn, Let It Float.
In this tentative world where Alice-in-Wonderland feels right at home, Terri Cohlene finds sustenance in exploring the contrariness of it all. Sometimes up is down and down is up, and "bones are needed to protect the heart!" And sometimes, blackbirds make conspiracies.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
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Featured poet:Terri Cohlene
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Reading live at Traditions, the Gathering Place 5th & Water Street, downtown Olympia
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Open mic signup starts 5:30pm
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All are welcome.
Monday at the Eagles -- Greg Ruby Trio
With Greg Ruby being an alumnus of both Pearl Django and Hot Club Sandwich, you know we'll be hearing some Dango Reinhardt tunes, along with some original work and swing standards. Fretboard Journal says "Greg Ruby lives and breathes jazz guitar." Joining him are Jonathan Doyle on reeds and Jen Hodge on bass.
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Monday, May 11th, 7 - 9:30pm
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The Eagles Social Club, 4th and Plum
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$15 - $35 suggested
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All ages welcome until 9pm
The Eagles Social Club welcomes Eagles members and their guests. Since we're Eagles, you can be our guest for the evening.
Newsletter Roundup
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Volunteer at the Thurston County Museum of Fine Arts
TCMoFA is currently looking for volunteers to help support our organization in upcoming programming. The museum is a volunteer operated project run on the passion, commitment, and enthusiasm of local artists and arts organizers. We are seeking volunteers for front desk shifts and flyering in Olympia. To apply visit our website tcmofa.org
Looking for Volunteers for 2026 Olympia Juneteenth Celebration
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Saturday, June 20, 2026
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Volunteer hours: 9am-6pm (split shifts are available). Set up and take down positions available as well.
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Contact Shawna Hawk at [email protected]. You can also call 360.352.8526 and leave a message with your contact information.
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Learn more
Olympia Historical Society
If you have an interest in local history, please consider becoming a volunteer with the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. We have a variety of roles to fill, including tour guides for the museum's Sunday afternoon open hours (1:00pm-4:00pm), groundskeeping at monthly Saturday morning work parties, and committee work for our Education, Bigelow House Operations, and Events (annual historic homes tour and spring fundraiser) committees.
To learn more, please email us at [email protected].
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Museum & Visitor Center Front Desk Docent
The Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance is seeking volunteers to support the OlyAHA! Museum & Visitor Center. Volunteering at the Olympia AHA Museum is a chance to learn and share Olympia's stories, to build connections in the community, to gain museum and customer service experience, and to be a part of something local, vital and lasting. Our volunteers are the face of the Olympia AHA Museum. They greet guests, share stories, and connect visitors to the best of Olympia.
As a volunteer you will:
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Welcome and assist visitors
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Interpret exhibitions
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Sell merchandise
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Help visitors to discover Olympia's arts, heritage, and cultures
We're looking for committed volunteers who are enthusiastic about Olympia's arts, cultures and history.
Our volunteer team is:
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Friendly, welcoming, and professional
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Comfortable learning point-of-sale and scheduling tools
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Reliable, cooperative, and ready to assist visitors
Volunteer Experience
Volunteers work in pairs at our front desk for three- or four-hour shifts. Volunteers can expect seasonal appreciation events and ongoing learning opportunities!
Olympia Family Theater
Front of House Volunteers needed. No experience necessary!
Shifts available for ushering, selling concessions, and selling raffle tickets during performances.
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March 5-29, 2026 and/or May 14-June 7, 2026
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Time commitment is usually under 4 hours.
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Thursday/Friday at 6pm, Saturday/Sunday at 2pm
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Must pass a background check.
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Please contact Tracy at [email protected].
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The ARCH Digest is a summary of Arts, Culture and History happenings in the greater Olympia area, submitted by the community. Please turn in ArCH Digest listings to [email protected].
Deadline Monday morning, 8 a.m.
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the City of Olympia Arts & Culture news, which includes a weekly ArCH Digest, direct them here and have them mark the Arts & Culture box.
Disclaimer: Information in the Arts Digest is not vetted through the City, nor is it endorsed by the City. The reader is solely responsible for checking background on any opportunity listed above.
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Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
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