Cultural

Make no mistake: there are rich cultural offerings throughout Spokane. From the annual Gathering at the Falls Powwow to the South East Asia Cultural Association’s events featuring internationally-renowned musicians and dancers, to Fiesta Spokane (the Hispanic Heritage Festival), Unity in the Community, and so much more. These events and gatherings weave together music, food, dancing, art, storytelling, and more, creating celebrations of heritage while welcoming people of all cultural backgrounds.  

Words
Event: October 8
Bedtime Stories

The Bedtime Stories fundraiser has included prominent Northwest novelists like Charles Johnson, Tom Robbins, Jess Walter, Sharma Shields, Jamie Ford, David Guterson, August Wilson, and Garth Stein. The events also feature the presentation of the Humanities Washington Award. This year, spend an hour listening to Charles Johnson, Tiffany Midge, and Jess Walter read original works about coming Together Again. The event will feature a welcome poem from Poet Laureate, Rena Priest, testimonials from Prime Time Family Reading, and a fundraising opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Visual
Event: September 3
Steve Belzman Memorial Mural Dedication

Please join Avenue West Gallery for the dedication of our new Memorial Mural honoring  Steve Belzman, longtime contributing member of our gallery. He had such a positive influence on all our member artists and on the Spokane art scene, it is fitting that the mural dedicated to him covers a large portion of our exterior gallery wall.  Painted by local artist Aaron Smith, who is well known for his local urban murals, the mural depicts a lively kayaker racing down the Spokane River.  Funding was provided by a SAGA grant and private donations.
New Media
Artist
Mary Welcome

Mary Welcome (Palouse, Washington/Idaho) is a multidisciplinary cultural worker. As an artist-organizer, her projects are rooted in community engagement and the development of intersectional programming to address equity, cultural advocacy, inclusivity, visibility, and imagination. She brings a nuanced perspective to the contemporary field, as an organizer working in service to small towns, as a cultural producer across American geographies, and as a facilitator of place-based arts programming.
New Media
Artist
Rachael Alt

I consider myself a pixel manipulator. I specialize in digital art since I wasn’t high school. That was 30 years ago when I began my love of computer graphics.

I consider myself a pixel manipulator. I specialize in digital art since I wasn’t high school. That was 30 years ago when I began my love of computer graphics.The apps on the android play store are the main apps I use. My objective has been to produce new media using generative new media apps. I like to push the limits of the app and create things that people aren’t doing yet I guess you could say that would be influencing. I find it relaxing and calming and very exciting.
SA Official
News
Spokane Public Library selects art for permanent collection

The Library commissioned three sculptures and purchased portable artwork for new libraries in accordance with the City of Spokane’s public art policy, requiring one percent of the construction budget be dedicated to public art. The artwork is one component of a much larger project, a $77 million, voter-approved bond to remodel four existing libraries and build three new ones. In commissioning artwork, Spokane Public Library aims to create a friendly, engaging atmosphere for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Each sculpture is site-specific, meaning it was designed specifically for the Library location where it will be installed, using input from the Library staff and board members, building architects, construction team, city arts commissioners, and more.
Cultural
Event: June 23
Expanding Healthcare Access for Artists

Join Better Health Together, Spectrum, and Centre for Arts Workers for a virtual presentation and Q&A on healthcare eligibility in Washington State. Artists and creative workers often work gigs or freelance, so our focus is to support individuals facing barriers to healthcare. Many people are unsure if they qualify for benefits, so we decided to host this event to get our questions answered! Everyone is welcome to attend!