LAST CALL: Spring Arts Walk 2026 Registration Concludes January 31
Spring Arts Walk April 24 & 25, 2026 (4th Friday and Saturday in April)
Don't wait-register online at artswalkoly.com and join the celebration that makes Olympia a hub for creativity and the arts!
Black History Month Exhibit at City Hall
On exhibition through the end of February on the second floor of City Hall - several portraits by Kay Burnett (Kay the Paint Lady), of Dr. Maxine Mimms and Rebecca Howard, commissioned by Shawna Hawk of the Women of Color and Leadership Movement and Media Island International.
The exhibition also includes a park design image from the Rebecca Howard Park Development Plan.
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
Yes, You Can Play the Ukulele Part 2, Feb 11 - Mar 11
Swing: Dance Through the Decades, Feb 20 - Mar 20
Basic American Ballroom Waltz - Part 1, Feb 20 - Mar 20
Guitar II, Feb 26 - Mar 12
Visual Arts, & Crafts
Starscapes, Jan 31
Mimic the Masters, Feb 4-25
Life Drawing, Feb 4-18
Painting with Water Soluble Colored Pencils, Feb 5-26
Dotting (Dot Painting), Feb 7
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You're invited to another Art Night at the Washington Center, this Wednesday!
Join us, this week, Wednesday, January 28th, from 5-7pm, for the Artists' Reception for our newest exhibit in our Center Gallery, Trans-Form. This solo exhibit features over 45 mixed media works of art by Ryker Black showcased across our three floors of exhibition space.
We will also have a live Student Quartet in our lobby filling the air with music.
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The event is FREE to the Public, no need for tickets, and suitable for All Ages!
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Wednesday, January 28th, from 5-7pm
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The Center Gallery, 512 Washington St. in Downtown Olympia.
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Learn more
The 16th Oly Old Time Festival will feature traditional old time music and dance
The Arbutus Folk School presents the 16th Oly Old Time Festival! Featuring the music and dance traditions of the southeastern U.S. including Appalachian stringbands, square dances and honky tonkin' over three days filled with concerts, jamming, dances and workshops from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15.
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Learn more
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Tickets are $30 per night and include access to the dances. Tickets available at http://olyoldtime.com/ As always, kids under 12 and festival volunteers attend for free.
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The evening events are at the South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney NE. Workshops take place at the Grange and at the Arbutus Folk School, 705 4th Ave. E.
Oil Painting Basics Clinic with Nancy Romanovsky - Registration Now Open
A focused 3-hour workshop designed to build confidence with oil painting materials and techniques. This clinic is all about fundamentals. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, students will learn how oil paint behaves, how different brushes and surfaces affect marks, and how value creates form. We'll work in a simple, monochromatic setup so the focus stays on control, clarity, and understanding the medium.
In this clinic, you'll explore: Materials and tool use, Brush control and mark-making, Surfaces and paint behavior, Value and form basics. The supply list is intentionally streamlined-just a few brushes, a limited palette, and several surfaces-making this a practical, "down-and-dirty" introduction to oil painting fundamentals. It's well suited for beginners, as well as painters who want to refresh their core skills.
Two Upcoming Programs at the Lacey Library
Elderhood Roundtable
Elderhood Roundtable is a welcoming, facilitated discussion series for older adults who enjoy meaningful conversation and connection. Participants gather together to socialize, reflect, and discuss topics of shared interest.
Sessions are designed to foster connection, reduce isolation, and support thoughtful engagement with the experience of aging. Participation is informal and welcoming. Light refreshments will be served.
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Tuesday, January 27 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
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Facilitated by The Elderhood Senior Alliance. Find more information online HERE
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Learn more
Computer Basics (Windows Workshop)
This in-person workshop is perfect for anyone new to using a PC or looking to build more confidence with the Windows 11 operating system. Learn how to navigate Windows, manage applications using the Task Manager, find and organize files and folders, save and delete files, and more.
Laptops will be available for attendees to borrow during class.
Presented in partnership with: Triceratops Tech and Inspire Olympia.
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Tuesday, January 27 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
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Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College Street SE, Lacey WA 98503
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Learn more
Coming Shows to the Washington Center
February at the Washington Center is full of some Olympia favorites. From the return of International Guitar Night to our popular Silent Movie Series, Black Box Jazz Series and Comedy Underground Series, we have something for everyone this February.
Our two Black Box series continue after their sold-out January shows. The new seating options are a hit! This year you can choose from low tables or high tables. There will also be a small section of seats with no tables. We recommend that patrons who prefer the low tables buy early as that section does fill up quickly.
Silent films with live organ accompaniment are a rare experience, and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts is making them more accessible than ever. This year, ticket prices for the Silent Movie Series have been reduced by 50% to just $20 (including fees), so that even more families can discover and long-time fans can remember the magic of this unique art form.
February 1 at 7:00pm: International Guitar Night. International Guitar Night brings us four artists: An award-winning Vietnamese classical guitarist, a modern fingerstyle guitar prodigy from Russia, a Brazilian guitarist who fuses the fire of the Flamenco guitar and the percussive rhythms of Latin America and one of the leading ukulele players in the world!
February 15 at 2pm Silent Movie: A Buster Keaton Doule Feature. At the Washington Center, silent movies are shown just as they would have been 100 years ago, with live accompaniment. The Washington Center has a 100-year-old Wurlitzer which is masterfully played by house organist Dennis James. Each silent movie at the Washington Center is a step back in time giving audience members a unique historic experience.
February 26 at 7:30pm: Comedy Underground featuring Kemet Apio. One night. Three comedians. Countless laughs. Join us for a whirlwind of hilarity featuring three distinct comedic styles that will take you from everyday absurdities to unexpected revelations. Whether you love observational humor, storytelling, or lightning-quick wit, this show delivers. Ages 18+.
February 27 at 8pm: Black Box Jazz: Francesco Crosara. Francesco Crosara is a Seattle-based, Italian-born jazz pianist & composer who is making a significant impact on the jazz scene with a passion for creating and sharing innovative and soulful music. Don't miss this intimate evening of jazz with the Seattle-based, Italian-born jazz pianist & composer.
ALSO
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce that its Star Dressing Room has been officially named in honor of Roger McIntosh, recognizing the organization's "deep appreciation for four decades of service, care, commitment, and the philosophy that guided his work." This dedication celebrates McIntosh's extraordinary legacy and lasting impact on the Washington Center, the artists it serves, and the greater South Sound arts community.
In addition, the Washington Center is pleased to announce that Roger McIntosh has been selected as the 2026 Excellence in the Arts, Commitment to the Arts Awardee. He will be honored at the Washington Center's annual gala on March 7, 2026. The annual Award for Commitment to the Arts recognizes outstanding commitment to the arts through volunteerism, financial support, leadership, or advocacy by individuals or organizations based in the greater South Sound region (Pierce, Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties).
** Congratulations Roger! Well earned recognition!
Newsletter Roundup
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Calling Artists from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho!
Umpqua Valley Arts Association is proud to present Malleable, a call for soft sculpture art that explores the use of non-rigid materials as a challenge to the conventional nature of sculpture.
Open to emerging and established artists in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, this is a juried exhibition highlighting the use of soft materials and processes in art.
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Deadline: March 27th, 2026
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Artists Notified: April 21st, 2026
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Exhibit Dates: June 5th - August 14th, 2026
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Learn more
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Feb 4: Join TAT Lab for Ideas to Action
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TAT Lab wishes our community a creative year full of transformative energy, symbolized in the Chinese zodiac by the Fire Horse.
We have several workshops coming up in 2026, as well as our continuing Community of Practice series. Keep reading and save the dates!
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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].
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.
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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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