Mary Jaffe (née Scott) dreamed of becoming a National Geographic journalist, but it was a dream unrealized. Now, at the age of seventy-eight—after thirty-five years of teaching, ten of professional opera singing and theatrical directing, raising a family, and caring for her terminally ill husband for a decade—she has turned to writing historical fiction. Mary is writing war stories based on the Irish Rebellion of 1641, and has become somewhat an expert on Irish and Scottish immigrant history. Her present writing goal is to learn the amazing history of an African American great grandmother of Texas. After the Civil War, it is said that she won a local judgment against her deceased master’s plantation estate, then things did not go well.
Artist Roster
The Spokane Arts artist roster is a searchable tool designed to showcase local creatives and connect them with community members seeking artists and makers. Browse the entire roster to discover a new favorite artist or filter by the type of work you’re seeking. You’ll find samples of their work, a description of what drives them to create and links to check out their website or social media. Use the roster to discover the incredible talent living right here in our community. Please note: the artist roster is a free resource directory to find artists. Any local artist can add their information. The artists on the roster are not endorsed or represented by Spokane Arts.
In order to foster a thriving creative community where artists can make a living doing their work, Spokane Arts believes in the importance of paying artists. Too often, creatives are asked to provide time, labor, materials, or finished work for free. While most of us wouldn’t ask an electrician, CPA or nurse to provide their professional services at no cost — knowing they trained and studied to gain expertise — artists are often asked to donate their services. Many artists and creatives do choose to donate their time to causes they care deeply about, but to make a living, doing work for free should be the exception, not the rule. We humbly ask you to keep this in mind when contacting creatives on the roster, and know that you can always ask an artist to give you a cost estimate or written proposal to review. Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask our staff; we’d be happy to help guide you. Contact shantell@spokanearts.org.
Are you an artist/maker/creative based in the Spokane region? Submit your information here to be added to the roster.
Heather Berndt
I currently create at the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and art to inspire others to explore the mysteries of the divine and to access their internal freedom. My practices are frequently informed by music, faith and the natural world and include mixed-media acrylics, playful abstracts, collage, and poetry.
Terri Griffin
Terri Griffin currently resides in Spokane. She has a BFA from the University of South Alabama in painting and printmaking.
Terri moved frequently to many locations throughout the United States as a military spouse. This experience informed her art, and her pieces explore themes of transition and the transitory nature of culture.
Both the medium and style Terri chooses are the beginning of a visual dialogue. She believes the beauty of art is in creating an image which transcends language and time. This fluidity allows art to stay relevant. It begins a conversation with a viewer that changes with perspective.
You can see what she’s up to on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrigriffinart/ and view her largest, most meaningful work of art: https://www.guerillagirlgallery.com
Hannah Wiebe-Potter
My name is Hannah and I am a Spokane-based naturalist artist. I primarily utilize watercolor and gouache and I have an educational background in natural science education. I am passionate about capturing the intricate details and unique beauty of the natural world. From insects and crustaceans to mollusks and fungi, I am drawn to subjects that are often overlooked or considered weird, but which have an important role to play in our ecosystem.
Rachel E Strauch
Rachel Strauch is an artist based in the Inland Northwest. Her work uses nature, the human body, and intense complimentary colors to depict themes of mental health, growth, and vulnerability. Strauch enjoys observing the world around her, taking experiences from her own life and others and turning them into art. Like observing, she enjoys teaching art, and worked as a teacher’s assistant in a drawing class at Whitworth University in January 2022. Strauch has recently exhibited her work at the Bryan Oliver Gallery and Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. Find Strauch’s work on Instagram and TikTok @re.strauch.art and at rachelestrauch.com
Amy Sue Calkins
Amy is a Photographer of “the wild things” you will find nature photos. She likes to travel to bring home more unique content. Currently she has been focusing more on her “Beauty In The Bones” series that has been shown at Emerge Gallery 2023 and Terrain14. There are photos taken artistically of Wildlife in end cycle of life.
Zephyr Cervantes
I’m a 24 year old student who wants to bring people together with stickers! I make inclusive stickers catering to LGBTQ+ community as well as spirituality and other categories. I operate on Redbubble ( https://www.redbubble.com/people/ZephyrDeLaRosa/shop?asc=u ), Etsy ( https://innyxsstarscreations.etsy.com ), and my Instagram (in_nyxs_stars_creations).
Heather iDE
I wanted to share with you some recent photography work that I had done. These photos have been enhanced, painted, and texturized to create a unique and beautiful effect that can be appreciated by those who have their sight as well as those who are visually impaired. The digital enhancements have brought out the colors and details in the photos, making them even more stunning than they were before. The painted elements and texturizing add a touch of artistic flair, giving the photos a truly one-of-a-kind look and feel. For those who are visually impaired, the textures in the photos can be felt and explored with their hands, allowing them to experience the art in a different way. The use of color and contrast in the photos also makes them accessible to those with low vision. Overall, I am thrilled with how these photos turned out, and I am excited to share them with a wider audience. I believe that the digital enhancements, painting, and texturizing have really elevated the photos to a new level, making them even more special and memorable for everyone who experiences them.
Brayden Hinson
I’m a 20 y/o artist outa Spokane who makes Alt rock, hiphop, and indie music. My stage name is mi$fit, I’ve been recording music/ preforming for a little over 5 years now. Hit my email or insta (misfitankou) to get in contact w me!
Mo Stach
Hi, I’m Mo! I’m a self-taught artist who recently started painting again (after a 15 year hiatus) to help de-stress from my technical day job. Drippy florals and colorful abstracts are what I have been gravitating towards most with my artwork. A goal is to display my work locally, and I would love to one day design a book cover, beer can label, and get into some large-format painting. I would also love to assist/volunteer with mural and other large art installations, if anyone needs a hand! After growing up in the South and previously living in NYC and Denver, I currently reside in Spokane, Washington, with my partner and two furry helpers. Besides painting, in my spare time I enjoy traveling, reading, volunteering, and mountain sports.
Feel free to contact me via email, or check out my portfolio via my website or Instagram (@MoStachStudios)!
Brandon Michael Parker
Hello! My name is Brandon aka BpzSculpts and I am a polymer clay artist that was born and raised in Spokane. I have been sculpting for about 7 years with different mediums, but mainly Polymer Clay. My work takes the cute and conventional and makes it ugly and weird. The intention isnt just to make the viewer uncomfortable but also to make them pause and think about what they are looking at/where this thing might have came from or what it can do, bringing it to life in their mind. My work can be viewed on Instagram found above, and can be purchased on my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopBpzSculpts