Molly Walsh

"In the Gutter" at Olympia Little Theatre is set to charm the audience with laughs, mayhem and elements of classic film noir.

Black Art & Black Artists Exhibition - featuring 14 artists from our region, the exhibition showcases works across mediums, exploring themes like historical education, healing and representation. It explores themes of Black culture, identity and society. At Tacoma Community College's gallery through March 17, 2023.
by Molly Walsh

Through participation in the spring Arts Walk, many Olympia nonprofits are opening their doors for attendees to explore unique exhibitions, displays and interactive activities.

“A Weaver’s Voice,” an exhibition of Native American art within the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College is a celebration of wool weaving within Coast Salish communities. Through the art of weaving, fibers are intertwined and unique patterns begin to form on the loom. A...

The interior of the Washington Center for Performing Arts has a new look. With the help of community support, an extensive theater renovation project is now complete. In addition to cosmetic upgrades to the lobby, main staircase and other community spaces, the Washington Center was also able to increase seating capacity and replace decades-old stage equipment over the course of the renovation.
Jil...

Science fiction writer Jerome Bixby’s "The Man from Earth" explores the nature of life, culture, faith, philosophy, and human history through the lens of John Oldman, who has lived countless lifetimes, ten years at a time. Olympia Little Theatre’s production of “The Man from Earth” was originally penned as a screenplay by Bixby.

Home to many species of bird, mammal, reptile and other wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public for activities like nature walks, bird watching and educational opportunities. Because of its central location in the South Sound region, the refuge is an ideal day trip destination for out-of-town visitors and local residents.

Olympia’s art and nonprofit communities are banding together in support of a new ballot measure that could have a profound effect on art, culture, science and heritage programming within the city. If voted into law, Proposition 1 would increase sales taxes within the City of Olympia by a tenth of a percent to fund a “Cultural Access Program.” Proceeds would directly benefit Olympia’s many art and nonprofit organizations. If it passes, the community could see millions of dollars in increased funding for theaters, museums, art installations, science centers and other community-oriented nonprofit

On October 1, the inaugural Tumwater Falls Fest kicked off in the heart of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. Overlooking the Deschutes River, the festival highlighted Tumwater Falls as a local landmark, while also gathering the regional art and maker community. Under the shade of both evergreens and leaves turning to autumnal shades, a cloudless sky allowed for plenty of family fun, including musical performances, crafting projects, face painting, food trucks and a variety of art and craft vendors.

In the summer of 1988, Brigid Shea unfolded a copy of The New York Times and read a front-page story that changed the trajectory of her life, about a NASA scientist who had testified to Congress about the life-threatening consequences of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The article helped fuel a three-decade career dedicated to combating the climate crisis and preparing communities for a changing world.
Over the decades, Shea has worn many hats as a reporter, consultant, Austin...

Because of his impact on the local community and his commitment toward conflict resolution, Jose Salvador Gutierrez Jr. was posthumously selected as a recipient for the 2022 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award, from the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County. Although Gutierrez passed away from COVID-19 complications in November 2021, his life and his work will continue to have a lasting impact across the South Puget Sound region.
Gutierrez had a slogan to live by: “Winners tr...

In the heart of Tenino, community members and supporters of local art gathered on the second Saturday in September to celebrate the past, present and future of the Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre (TYT). At the New Theater Reveal Party and Fundraiser, current and former TYT cast members performed hit show tunes and scenes from past Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre shows, including excerpts from their recent production, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Over the past four years, Stephen Blake, a partner at North Park Consulting, has served as a Travis County contractor, helping county agencies to function more efficiently. His work with the county began through the Travis County Historically Underutilized Business, or HUB, program.
As the co-owner of a certified women- and African-American-owned business, a particular selling point for Blake was the county’s efforts to meet the needs of women- and minority-owned businesses. He approved of th...