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Visual
Artist
Matt Smith

Matt Smith is a multidisciplinary visual artist residing in Spokane. His main passion lies in painting, but can never do one thing for too long without experimenting and moving into a new direction. Be it subject matter, medium, scale, style, or any combination of these elements, he aims to experience the thrill of the new. He believes the real fruit of creating art is in the basis of invention (combining old elements in new ways to make something unique). He is currently creating large-scale indoor installation works and murals throughout the NW.
Dance
Artist
Spokane Buddhist Temple Bon Odori Dancers

Bon Odori is the “Beauty of Japanese Dance”. We are a traditional Japanese dance group that loves to perform as well as teach Japanese folk dances to audiences, wearing colorful traditional kimonos or yukatas. This style of Japanese dance is performed during the Obon Festival, a Japanese festival time of Gathering, Gratitude and Celebration. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom that honors the spirits of one’s ancestors and has a 500 year history. Our instructor is Jacqui Pierce, a 14-year student of Wakahisa-kai Asian Traditional Dance & Music Foundation, Inc. We are accompanied by vocalist Narong who sings traditional Japanese folk songs.
Cultural
Artist
Spokane Taiko

Spokane Taiko is “Thunderous Entertainment” (Chey Scott, Inlander). We are a non-profit community group founded in 1997 that plays the traditional music and rhythms of Japan on Taiko drums and other instruments. We are a performing group that also conducts hands-on workshops, where the audience gets to play the big drums. The culture that surrounds the art of taiko is one that involves patience and discipline in every aspect of our lives. We perform and do workshops with all ages.