Our Mission

Sequim Arts exists to strengthen the cultural fabric of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. We support working artists, create accessible programming for all ages, and promote the Olympic Peninsula as a destination for creative expression.

We believe that a healthy arts community isn't a luxury; it's a foundation. Art connects neighbors, brings visitors to downtown storefronts, and gives young people a reason to feel proud of where they grow up. That conviction has guided every decision we've made for more than two decades.

Our History

Sequim Arts was founded in 2004 by a group of local artists and civic leaders who recognized something worth protecting. Galleries were appearing along Washington Street. Painters were traveling from Seattle and Portland to capture the peculiar light of the rain shadow. The creative energy was real, but it needed structure and advocacy.

The founders incorporated as a nonprofit that spring, with an initial mission focused on three goals: organizing a regular gallery walk, establishing youth programming, and building a directory of local artists. Within a year, the First Friday Art Walk attracted several hundred people to downtown each month.

Since then, the organization has grown considerably. We added the annual Plein Air Festival in 2009, launched the Artist Residency in 2014, and expanded our community workshop offerings to more than fifty sessions per year. Our membership now exceeds 300 artists and patrons.

The Sequim Advantage

Geography plays an outsized role in our story. Sequim sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, receiving roughly 16 inches of rain annually while surrounding areas get four or five times that amount. The result is a pocket of reliable sunlight on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula that feels almost Mediterranean.

That climate has attracted retirees, craftspeople, and artists for decades. Combined with the dramatic scenery (the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness Spit, Hurricane Ridge within a short drive), the area offers conditions that landscape painters and outdoor sculptors find irresistible.

What We Do

Our work falls into several overlapping categories:

  • Monthly Art Walks. The First Friday Art Walk remains our most visible program, drawing locals and tourists into downtown galleries twelve months a year.
  • Education. Community workshops and the Youth Arts program make creative learning accessible to people of all ages and income levels.
  • Artist Support. The Artist Residency provides studio time and community exposure for visiting artists, while our resource directory connects members with grants, exhibition calls, and professional development.
  • Festivals & Events. Our Plein Air Festival and seasonal exhibitions generate economic activity and cultural visibility for the Sequim-Dungeness region.
  • Advocacy. We work with the City of Sequim, Clallam County, and the Washington State Arts Commission to advance policies and funding that support working artists and arts organizations.

Board of Directors

Sequim Arts is governed by a volunteer board that brings together practicing artists, business owners, educators, and longtime community members. Board meetings are open to the public on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM at the Sequim Civic Center.

Financial Accountability

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Sequim Arts is committed to transparent stewardship of contributed funds. Our annual budget supports program delivery, artist stipends, facility costs, and organizational operations. Annual reports and IRS Form 990 filings are available upon request.

Get Involved

The strength of this organization comes from its people. Whether you're a working artist, a patron who values creative life, or someone who simply wants to lend a hand at the next Art Walk, there's a place for you here.

Sequim's arts community didn't happen by accident. It was built, year after year, by people who believed that creativity belongs at the center of a town's identity. We're grateful to everyone who's been part of that effort, and we welcome anyone ready to join.