ASHHO's 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Join us for a powerful evening of joy, culture, storytelling, belonging, and community connection as we honor the meaning and history of Juneteenth through music, spoken word, reflection, delicious food, art, and celebration. This free community event will also honor humble local leaders making a meaningful impact in our community through special recognition plaques. Together, we gather to reflect on freedom, collective liberation, collective power, healing, and how the spirit and lessons of Juneteenth continue to shape our everyday lives and future generations.
Featuring:
-
Spoken word and storytelling
-
Reflections on the history of Juneteenth
-
Live music and DJ celebration
-
Guided art activities
-
Soul food and cultural connection
-
Honoring local community leaders
Rooted in ASHHO's mission to feed, heal, educate, and celebrate our community through soul food, cultural connection, and job training programs.
Crowdsourced Poetry Night: Lost, Recorded, Found, Read
Hosted by Oly's Poet Laureate Ocean
Bring a poem you love or a recording from a passed poet. Together, we'll put a ton of poems and words in a room and see what happens.
-
Wednesday June 17, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
-
Orca Books Cooperative, 315 5th Ave SE
-
FREE, Open to All Ages. No Registration Required
-
For more information, contact [email protected].
-
To learn more about Olympia's Poet Laureate program, visit olympiawa.gov/poetlaureate.
Save the Dates: Rebecca Howard OURstory in the Park
You are warmly invited to join and support OURstory in the Park, a three-part community event series designed to center Black stories, culture, creativity, and intergenerational connection in public space.
OURstory in the Park was created to reclaim and activate community gathering spaces through literacy, storytelling, film, and arts-based programming that honors Black lived experience while fostering belonging, visibility, and civic connection.
2026 Event Series
Read in the Park
July 18, 2026
Celebrating literacy, Black authors, storytelling, and community reading experiences.
Sponsored by City of Olympia
Cinema in the Park
August 15, 2026
An outdoor film experience centering Black storytelling and shared community gathering.
Black Arts in the Park
September 12, 2026
A showcase of Black artists, performers, makers, and creatives across disciplines.
These events are designed to create meaningful opportunities for community engagement, strengthen cross-sector relationships, and model inclusive activation of public spaces.
Your presence and partnership matter. We welcome opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, volunteer support, and attendance.
Additional details, program schedules, and participation opportunities will be shared soon.
We hope you will join us in celebrating community, culture, and collective OURstory.
Join us at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation for some great classes! 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
Ukulele Summer Songs, Jun 10-Jul 8
Beginning Guitar, Jun 18-Jul 16
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
Creative Contemporary Dance, July 6-Aug 24
Sensory Friendly Toddler Dance Class, Jul 7-Aug 25
Sensory Friendly Creative Dance Class, Jul 7- Aug 25
Blues Ukulele, Jul 15-Aug 12
Discover Voice Overs!, July 18
Guitar II, Jul 23-Aug 6
Yes, You Can Play the Ukulele! Part 2, Aug 1-29
All About Guitar Chords, Aug 13
K-pop Dance, Aug 22
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Glass Flowers Cast in Glass, Jun 13
Tree of Life, Jun 17-Jul 1
Summer Solstice Mandala, Jun 20
Starscapes, Jun 27
Life Drawing, Jul 1-15
Gelli Plate Mono Printing, Jul 6-Aug 10
Ceramic Lab, Jul 18-Aug 25
Beginning Ceramics, July 9-Aug 27
Palette Knife Painting with Acrylics, Jul 11
Traffic Box Voting Open through June 30!
Olympia's Traffic Box Wrap Project turns traffic boxes found on sidewalks & street corners into a collection of public art pieces.
Help choose the 2026 Traffic Box Wraps by submitting your vote on Engage Olympia. There are 100 wraps to choose from submitted by local artists of all ages. NOTE: You must be registered on Engage Olympia to participate. If you already have an Engage Olympia account, please sign in. If not, you will have to create an account.
Take the Arts Walk Survey!
Whether you attended, participated, volunteered, or simply have feedback to share, your input helps shape the atmosphere and experiences that make Olympia Arts Walk a unique reflection of community.
|
|
Local Author Book Launch
Olympia resident Ari Koontz has a middle-grade book called "Just Ask Elsie" publishing with Macmillan on June 15.
The book launch is June 17, 6-7pm at Browsers Bookshop,107 Capitol Way N., Olympia.
Dollhouses and the Mighty Power of Miniatures
At the Olympia Timberland Library
In this talk, explore the surprising and inspiring history of miniatures. See how people have demonstrated astonishing creativity and resourcefulness in tiny scale during wars, economic disasters, and pandemics. Author Elise Hooper will share how restoring a dollhouse that has been in her family for five generations helped her connect with her own history and view the world as one filled with possibility.
-
Tuesday, July 14th, 4:00-5:30pm
-
Olympia Timberland Library - 313 8th Ave SE
-
Free
-
Learn more
-
Miniatures serve a wide variety of functions across the world, but one common theme is their ability to spark imagination, improve mood, and provide comfort-especially during difficult and uncertain times.
Monday June 8: Jack Radsliffe Trio ftrg George Colligan
This Monday's concert features the Jack Radsliff Trio. They will be joined by jazz pianist George Colligan. 7pm at the Olympia Eagles.
Jack Radsliff is guitarist/composer living in Portland, Oregon. As a bandleader, Jack's group is a fixture at clubs and festivals throughout the region including The 1905, Seattle Jazz Fellowship, PDX Jazz Fest, Mt Hood Jazz Fest, Little Big Fest, and Anacortes Arts. His records, Migration Patterns (2017), Barefoot (2024), and Living/Live (2025), have all been well received; the first two making it onto critics "best of" lists and the latter being called "one of the best albums to come out of Portland's jazz scene so far this year" (Willamette Week).
George Colligan is an internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and bandleader, widely respected for his musical depth, versatility and creative intensity. A rare multi-instrumentalist who also performs on organ, drums and trumpet, he is known for his powerful stage presence and his ability to move seamlessly between roles as soloist, ensemble player and leader. Colligan's music is rooted in the jazz tradition while remaining boldly contemporary, marked by rhythmic drive, harmonic sophistication and a strong personal voice that has made him a distinctive and influential figure on the international jazz scene.
-
Cover Charge $15- 35, no one turned away for lack of funds.
-
All ages until 9pm
-
Eagles is members and guests club- so be our guest. VISITORS WELCOME!
-
If you have a question about the concert, please email [email protected]
Free Range Drag and Variety Show
-
Cryptatropa Bar, Olympia
-
Friday June 12th 2026, Doors at 730 pm, Show at 8 pm
-
$15 to 20 at the door (Pay What You Can)
Groove Intuit (Intuitive movement and writing experience)
Coming up at the Lacey Timberland Library
Tales & Tails: Senior Storytime with Therapy Dog Hallie
Seniors are invited to a relaxed, welcoming gathering featuring gentle read-alouds and the soothing presence of gentle Hallie, a certified therapy dog who loves a good story and a scratch behind the ears.
Participants are welcome to listen or share short excerpts from books, essays, or poetry-whatever feels meaningful in the moment.
Spending time with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and promote feelings of calm, connection, and well-being. Combined with shared stories and conversation, this program offers a peaceful space to slow down, connect with others, and enjoy the simple comfort of being together.
Tea and cookies provided. Just bring your love of stories, dogs, and good company.
Made possible by the support of the Friends of the Lacey Library.
-
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
-
Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
-
Learn more
Spanish Conversation Circle / Círculo de Conversación en Español
Join us for a welcoming and informal space where Spanish speakers and Spanish learners can come together to connect, practice, and build community. This conversation-based program is open to all levels (from beginners to native speaker) and is designed to support language learning through real, meaningful interaction.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice speaking and listening in Spanish, share experiences, and learn from one another in a supportive and inclusive environment. Whether you're looking to improve your skills, meet new people, or simply enjoy conversation en español, this is a space for you.
No registration required. Just drop in and join the conversation!
Made possible by the Friends of the Lacey Library.
-
Thursday, June 11, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
-
Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
-
Learn more
The Painted Screen - Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse
Experience art like never before.
Join us for The Painted Screen, a new monthly series exploring the lives and legacies of artists who have shaped how we see the world. Each screening offers a window into the creative spirit...journeys of color, passion, and imagination told through the power of film.
Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse
2016 - 1 hour 29 minutes
For many great artists the garden has long been considered an desirable subject for the expression of color, light and atmosphere. Claude Monet is perhaps the most well-known painter of gardens but other greats such as Van Gogh, Pissarro, Matisse and Sargent all viewed the garden as a meaningful focus for their talents. The work of these great artists, along with many others, feature in a major exhibition, 'Painting the Modern Garden', from The Royal Academy, London. This dazzling film takes a magical journey from the gallery to the gardens, to Giverny and Seebüll and other glorious grounds favored by artists. Here we discover how early twentieth century artists designed and cultivated their own gardens to explore contemporary utopian ideas and motifs of color and form. Monet said, 'Apart from painting and gardening, I'm no good at anything'. For lovers of art or lovers of gardens, this is an ideal film.
-
Friday, June 12, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
-
Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
-
Learn more
Summer Family Movie Days - The Dark Crystal
Join us this summer for three magical afternoons of fantasy, adventure, laughter, and unforgettable creatures! Bring the whole family, cool off at the library, and enjoy a free movie experience together. Popcorn provided.
Families, kids, grandparents, and movie lovers of all ages are welcome!
The Dark Crystal
PG ‧ 1982 ‧ Fantasy/Adventure ‧ 1h 33m
In this groundbreaking fantasy epic from Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the peaceful world of Thra is threatened by the evil Skeksis, who rule through the power of the shattered Dark Crystal. A young Gelfling named Jen (voiced by Stephen Garlick) embarks on a quest to restore the crystal and fulfill an ancient prophecy. Along the way, he encounters mystical creatures and allies, including the brave Kira (voiced by Lisa Maxwell). Featuring stunning puppetry and elaborate world-building, this visually captivating film is a timeless tale of good versus evil.
-
Friday, Saturday, June 13, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
-
Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
-
Learn more
Newsletter Roundup
|
|
June LAW Starts 6/15
Legal Advice Week starts June 15th. Join this monthly opportunity for artists and arts organizations in WA State to get free advice on specific legal issues. Sign up today for a 30-minute consultation with an attorney.
WLA LAW is open to artists and arts organizations throughout Washington State. LAW Clinics address and support legal issues* related to an artistic discipline and can cover a wide range of areas, such as: Copyright, Trademark, Publicity Rights, Licensing, Fair Use, Business Formation, Contract Review
*Legal issues involving patent, employment, criminal, tax, & family law are not apt for WLA LAW.
|
|
Step Onto the Team: Volunteer at the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone
The Summer of Soccer is approaching, and the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone needs a great volunteer crew to help make it happen!
We're looking for volunteers to welcome fans, support activities, and help create an unforgettable experience for our community.
Volunteer roles include:
-
Check-In Crew
-
Beverage Sales/ ID Check/ Info Crew (must be 21+)
-
Bartending Crew
-
Set-up Crew
-
Breakdown Crew
-
Tidy Up Crew
-
Green Room Crew
-
Wherever needed!
Help us welcome visitors and neighbors to this once-in-a-generation experience at the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone.
**All Volunteers will receive an exclusive Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone T-Shirt**
Looking for Volunteers for 2026 Olympia Juneteenth Celebration
-
Saturday, June 20, 2026
-
Volunteer hours: 9am-6pm (split shifts are available). Set up and take down positions available as well.
-
Contact Shawna Hawk at [email protected]. You can also call 360.352.8526 and leave a message with your contact information.
-
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].
|
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:
-
Welcome and assist visitors
-
Interpret exhibitions
-
Sell merchandise
-
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:
-
Friendly, welcoming, and professional
-
Comfortable learning point-of-sale and scheduling tools
-
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.
-
May 14-June 7, 2026
-
Time commitment is usually under 4 hours.
-
Thursday/Friday at 6pm, Saturday/Sunday at 2pm
-
Must pass a background check.
-
Please contact Tracy at [email protected].
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Contact
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
360.709.2678
[email protected]
|
|
|
|
