ARTBEAT
OCTOBER 2025
Budding Printmakers Collaborate at the MAC, see p.5
ARTBEAT
A monthly publication of the NCW Arts Alliance
Editor: Jamie Howell
Layout & Design: Ron Evans
Contributors: Scott Bailey, Pamela Farrington, Meg Sanders
NCW Arts - Elevating the Arts in North Central Washington
THERE’S SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE...
BY JAMIE HOWELL
President, NCW Arts Alliance
This past month, my calendar was hammered with local Arts happenings. First came a visit from the statewide creative economy advocacy group, Wheelhouse, at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center; followed closely by a meetup of NCW Creatives in Cashmere; then back to the Museum for Our Valley, Our Future’s “Arts in the Valley” panel (moderated by our very own Thom Kokenge with that inimitable, soothing voice of his).
After that came a run up-valley to meet with the visiting board of Artist Trust at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts; a video release featuring NCW artists from the Washington State Arts Commission (see p.3); an evening of food and music at Fiestas Mexicanas; a live show at the Numerica PAC with ukulele legend Jake Shimabokuru; an absolutely packed evening downtown at the Night Market; and, fi nally, another riveting show at the PAC, this time with Brass Against, a high-energy brass band that covers Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys and, you know, all the obvious groups in need of a trombone treatment. And all of these are just the things I went to.
All of this to say, something’s up. There’s a surge taking place in our Valley - a wave of Arts building to a crest. We see a slew of new artist collectives forming - Wenatchee’s Columbia Collective; Brassbound Collective at The Side Street in Cashmere; the new Community Clayworks pottery studio and, now, ArtWorx (see sidebar). And let’s not forget Wenatchee First Fridays which is drawing more participation from local businesses and the artloving public than it has in years.
Of course, we at NCW Arts can’t take credit for all that. The credit goes to all the hard-working artists and community organizers who commit themselves to the endless, often unpaid, hours it takes to put up these events. What we can do, though, is shout it to the rooftops.
That’s a big part of our job at NCW Arts - to raise awareness around all the Arts across our communities, to encourage and facilitate the continued growth and vibrancy of the Arts in NCW. Why? Because we believe that the healthier the Arts are, the healthier the community and the local economy become.
As the newly elected president of NCW Arts (following in the gracious footsteps of Scott Bailey and Marissa Collins), I’m committed to
helping build a sustainable organization that can continue to foster the Arts right here at every possible level. We’ve just welcomed two new board members - musician, performer and poet Brian Ohme and photographer and creative director Thom Schroeder - and installed a new slate of officers with graphic design artist Pamela Farrington stepping into the VP role.
Thank goodness, because supporting the Arts takes a lot of energy. All of these fine folks have stepped up to offer theirs, and we find more willing to pitch in every day. This is what it takes and there is so much more ahead for us to do. The question we have for you is, where should we turn our focus next? What do you most want to see happening here around the Arts?
Please let us know. We’ve put together a quick survey (QR code below) to that end. Click on over and take a brief moment to really consider, “What can NCW Arts do for you?”
ON THE COVER: A serigraph created by WVC art student, William Thoms, on display this month at the MAC Gallery.
LOOKING FOR STUDIO SPACE? ARTWORX IS LOOKING FOR YOU FEATURED OPPORTUNITY
New, affordable art studio space is on offer inside the new ArtWorx location being organized by Wenatchee artist, Sara Hasslinger. Hasslinger is already hard at work on a new mural bound for Ellensburg in her portion of the recently leased space on the second level of the former Wells and Wade warehouse at 15 Yakima Street in downtown Wenatchee (between Timberdog Slab Designs on the lower level and Pacific Engineering and Design on the top level).
Hasslinger already has two co-tenants, and is hoping to find two to four more artists to fill out the remainder of the space with individual studio bays. “It’s really about creating community,” she said. She envisions hosting artist gatherings, classes, gallery showings and more in the common spaces at ArtWorx.
ArtWorx is a work in progress. Floors are being treated. There are plans to build moveable caster walls to maximize flexibility in the space, but fixed walls can also be constructed for incoming artists who feel the need for a more private studio space. Down the hall toward the alley entrance are two recently updated bathrooms and the new pottery studio being opened by Community Clayworks.
In an effort to make the space accessible to more artists, Hasslinger is trying to keep the rent down to $500 per month, depending on the space needs of each artist, and lease terms are negotiable. Artists interested in space at ArtWorx can contact Hasslinger directly at (509) 6797372 or sara.artworx@gmail.com.
Current members of the NCW Arts board of directors (from left): Jamie Howell, president; Thom Schroeder; Callie Baker, executive director; Brian Ohme; Pamela Farrington, vice president; Thom Kokenge; Scott Bailey, past president. Not pictured: Laine Heikel, secretary/treasurer and Meg Sanders.
Muralist Sara Hasslinger has big plans for the new ArtWorx space in downtown Wenatchee.
KUDOS! ARTSWA FEATURES
NCW ARTISTS IN CREATIVE CAREERS CAMPAIGN
The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) released three minidocumentaries in September featuring a trio of NCW artists who have built careers around their creative passions.
Musician/conductor/music educator Domingo Gonzalez; writer/poet/professor Holly Thorpe; and filmmaker/writer/director Jamie Howell were all spotlighted as part of the “Explore Creative Careers”
campaign launched by ArtsWA. The goal of the campaign is to support educators and young people interested pursuing a future in the Arts by sharing inspiration and insight from working artists who have identified career pathways for themselves.
The videos can be seen at arts.wa.gov/ arts-in-education/explore-creative-careers/
artist.
beverages for sale.
6. Two Rivers Art Gallery 5-8 PM Rebecca Bassett and Jeff Justice, artists. James Bryant, guitarist. Local wines.
7. Watercore 6-8 PM Takara Welter, artist, featuring Corban Welter as DJ.
8. Mela 5-8 PM Christopher Alma, Lauren Leith, Matt Demke, photographers. Wren Wilder, painter. Sam Wilson, live music.
12. Live Music @ Centennial Park 7-9 PM The Bada Bings! 21+ beer garden by Wenatchee Valley Brewing Co.
13. Touch Of Soul 5-8 PM Ryan Doss, artist/muralist. Taking commissions for portraits of loved ones. Bring them in on First Friday.
14. Art Alley @ Pybus 5-7 PM Russ Hepler, artist. Norman Baker, live music. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres by donation.
Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM off glass pours. Wenatchee Tasting
1. Horan Estates Winery 3-7 PM $2 off glass pours.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
3. Visit Wenatchee Tasting Room 4-7 PM Happy hour special: $5 flights of cider or beer.
6.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
FIRST FRIDAYS FEATURED EVENT:
6. Steam Panda 4-9 PM Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays. Dine in only
4. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
7. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures. Horan Estates Winery PM off glass pours.
5. Watermill Winery On The Ave 3-8 PM Wine specials.
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM
Dream
EAT & DRINK
1. Horan Estates Winery
$2 off glass pours.
2. Crayelle Cellars 3-6 PM $2 off glass pours.
American Shoe Shop PM Extended hours Mercantile Day day pass for First Fridays. Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
SHOP DOWNTOWN
8. South @ Pybus 5-9 PM Maria’s Dream cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
5. Cave Noire 4-10 PM Enjoy a complimentary glass after any wine tasting flight.
1. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours
3. Stones Gastropub 3-9 PM $10 specialty cocktail.
2. Mercantile All Day $10 day pass for First Fridays.
4. Steam Panda 4-9 PM
Buy one noodle soup, get 2nd noodle soup $5 off when you mention First Fridays.
6. South @ Pybus 4-9 PM Cocktail special: Salina’s Spiced Cola in homage to landscape artist Porfirio Salinas.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
3. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
SHOP DOWNTOWN
1. Inspirations Ceramic & Art Cafe 5–8 PM
Ladies Night pottery painting class. Ticket $5. Pottery sold separately.
4. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. Extended hours.
5. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
WENATCHEEFIRSTFRIDAYS.COM
5. The Original Children’s Shop 3-5 PM 10% discount on all merch when you mention First Fridays.
2. American Shoe Shop 5–7 PM Extended hours.
3. Mercantile All Day
$10 day pass for First Fridays.
4. Tumbleweed 4-6:30 PM Featuring Stupid Stitch, local upcycled and handmade sustainable clothing.
6. Woody’s Classic Man 3-8 PM
Happy Hour pricing on all beers and ciders. 15% off store merchandise. Extended hours.
7. Time Capsule 3-7 PM Roll a D20 and get up to 20% off your entire purchase. 30% off Funko Pop figures.
‘COLLABORATIVE EFFECT’ OPENS AT MAC
Before you head downtown to check out the live music at the next First Fridays Arts Walk (from the Bada Bings in case you were wondering), consider popping in at the MAC Gallery to see what wondrous things Artist and WVC Professor Natalie Dotzauer and her printmaking students have been creating.
Their new show, “Collaborative Effect,” opens at the MAC this First Friday, with an artist reception starting at 5 p.m. The exhibit features a range of printing processes, done by practicing artists from a variety of backgrounds, from novices to advanced printmakers. Working together collaboratively in the studio, this shared studio
experience infuses their work with a heightened level of creativity and energy.
WVC students have the rare opportunity to study a variety of printmaking processes, including relief, intaglio, and serigraphyhistorically significant media that are simultaneously fun and expand students’ ideas about what is possible with their art.
“Collaborative Effect,” opens at the MAC, on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College, on Friday, Oct. 3, with an artist reception at 5 p.m., and runs through Oct. 31.
For all the First Fridays activities, or to upload your own First Fridays happenings, go to wenatcheefirstfridays.com
Maria’s
cocktail special, inspired by the trailblazing Mexican artist Maria Izquierdo.
A serigraph by WVC printmaking student, Carson Flaget.
ON THE UPBEAT WITH DENNIS BROUGHTON - PLAY ME THAT MOUNTAIN MUSIC
by jamie howell
“I left my three-piece suit in Seattle, grew my hair long and this is what I do now,” said Dennis Broughton, a retired Boeing executive who made the permanent hop over the mountains a decade ago to the family cabin near Plain. What he does now is leverage his love for music into magical moments for the rest of us. When Broughton’s not building custom guitars, or prepping his own 3-day, backyard music festival he’s dubbed “NasonStock” (after the nearby Nason Creek), he’s driving a constant
stream of live music offerings across the Upper Valley and beyond.
Through his company Mountain Music
Productions Broughton’s latest offering is the Singer Songwriter Storyteller Series at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth — nine intimate evenings of music from talented groupings of local artists and national performers. We caught up with Broughton to find out what it is that keeps his metronome ticking:
What is Mountain Music Productions?
Mountain Music Productions LLC is my company banner and I provide services such as booking music with venues, show
productions and consulting and coaching with music artists. There is just me and my Chief Reality Officer, my wife, Kim.
How did you get involved in producing live music events?
Believe it or not, I got involved through booking and producing something called the Moonlight Music Festival for Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. This was a community giveback and fundraiser. The first shows included a hand-built stage and music and lights ran off of generators because it was in a field.
The new Singer Songwriter Storyteller Series is a unique format. What drew you to this concept?
Singer/songwriter rounds have been around for a long time. Storytelling is a huge part of the shows, though. It’s almost like theater when it heads in that direction.
What drew me to it was the authentic, raw, connected experiences that these artists talked and sang about. In many cases, we cried and laughed together and in the end we walked away whole through the experience.
These traveling artists seldom get a chance to play only their original songs to an attentive audience with a single spotlight only on them. It’s their time and the audience benefits from it.
Producing a series like this takes a lot of behind-the-scenes effort. What keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is that this is my Purpose in life. It’s what gives me the energy to connect each morning and explore new artists, music business trends, and live the life of an artist myself.
This is my time to provide my philanthropic support to music and the venues that allow it to thrive, because, “I can.” Working with Icicle Creek Center for the Arts allows that to grow exponentially while helping one of the most amazing arts centers around.
From your perspective, what do you hope the musicians gain from being part of the series?
That dedicated time with a listening, focused audience to explore the creation of newly written songs by themselves. I just provide the vehicle and they do the rest.
What do you hope the audience takes away from each evening of songs and stories?
I started to use a subtitle for the shows - “A Song For You.” It comes from a song Leon Russell wrote, followed by many artists performing it over time. If the audience walks away with one song that raises the hair up
on their arms or a story that finds a place in their soul, the show was a success.
And, what do you get out of it?
Me, I go home after a show and tell myself, wow, that was the most amazing show of compassion and life experiences through artists’ expressions. I’m reminded that the best is yet to come.
CHECK IT OUT
The Singer Songwriter Storyteller Series runs monthly, now through June 2026. The next performance, on Nov. 6, features local artists Mike Gamble and the Lounge Kings paired up with Tim Langford, from Too Slim and the Taildraggers. Beverage sales from every show are being donated to Icicle Creek Center for the Arts’ scholarship fund.
Here’s the upcoming lineup:
Nov. 6 - Mike Gamble and the Lounge Kings, Tim Langford
Dec. 4 - Fox and Bones, Flowers for Wolves, Seth & Anna
Jan. 8 - Beau Warren, Scott Heuston, Kitty Mae
Feb. 5 - Leah Justine, Hunter Stiles, Cody Beebe
Mar. 5 - Aaron Crawford, Nick Mardon, Chris Ward
Apr. 2 - Kevin Jones, Larry Murante, Leanna Shannon
May 7 - Hillary Fretland, Sarah Benedict Garretsen, Amanda Rife
Jun. 4 - Tekla Waterfield, Jeff Fieldler (toured with the Indigo Girls), Mark Pickerel (from the Screaming Trees)
Dennis Broughton (right) with singer songwriter Owen Barnhart, one of the artists featured in the monthly
Singer Songwriter Storytelling Series currently running at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts.
ARTBIZ: PREPARE TO BE MILKED
BY JAMIE HOWELL
If the Washington State Legislature were a dairy farmer, they just spotted an undernourished cow at the back of the herd called the Arts, and decided those teats would no longer go unmolested.
October 1 - that’s the day Washington State decided artists were no longer dreamers, creators, or small-business hustlers scraping by - but cash cows, ripe for the milking. SB 5814, our brandnew set of taxes on the creative sector, is official, mandatory, sweeping and about as welcome as a cow pie in a pie contest. All the extra things artists do to keep their creative lives viable - pottery classes, music lessons, summer art camps, speaking or teaching engagements, anything to do with advertising - are now, for the first time ever, subject to retail sales tax in Washington State. Which means you WILL PAY UP.
And if you, through ignorance, neglect or rebellious disdain, forget to add that tax to the cost of your art, you will still pay up - just straight out of your own dwindling piggybank.
There is a certain irony to the fact that we’ve long been advocating at the state level for recognition that the Arts are a vital piece of our state’s economy. The creative sector contributes nearly $120 billion annually to the state’s bottom line - that’s 20 percent of everything we do in this state.
Of course, we were hoping that they’d see the light and devote some more resources to shoring up the Arts, making it even healthier and more vibrant. Nope. They took in that information and said, “That looks like our newest ATM!” and started pulling out cash.
All in the same moment that the federal government is reneging on arts
and media obligations, cutting funding opportunities and clawing back funds already given, the creative sector is reduced to the same treatment as cigarettes, six-packs and sex mags. (Heads up cartoonists selling dirty drawings to Playboy - you’re about to get it doubletime.)
I mean, I suppose it would be nice if, at least, these new taxes came with some perks for the creative sector - maybe affordable studio spaces, subsidized music lessons for kids, heck, a halfoff coupon for paint brushes at Dick Blick’s - but, no. It all disappears into the “general fund” to fund “core public services” - a category from which creatives have been handily removed.
Painters have already long been on the hook for selling “tangible goods” whenever they part with an original, but SB 5814 rolls in anything, handpainted, digitally generated or otherwise, that can be remotely classified as a “creative service.”
Performance artists enjoy a small reprieve, however short-lived that may be. Plays, concerts, operas, even movies remain exempt, but “live presentations” don’t. You can see the line creeping ever closer. A tiny legislative tweak of the “live presentations” definition and, ch-ching!, - are you not entertained?
We make the murals, the tourism brochures; apprentice the next generation of creatives; offer relief to the rest of the work-weary; provide the proof that this place has a soul.
And Washington responds, “Thank you very much. That’ll be 8.4 percent.” Barter, anybody? Will make art for food. (And, please, keep your receipts to yourself.)
FEATURED
EVENT COZY UP WITH A GREAT READ AT OCTOBER BOOKFEST
Authors Chad Dulac (steampunk) and Samantha Jon (romance), are just two of the nearly 30 authors appearing at October BookFest.
The “Best Little Book Fair in the Pacific Northwest” is coming to Pybus Market’s LocalTel Event Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
This is the second annual Bookfest hosted by Write on the River. Book lovers are invited to come find their next favorite read and meet nearly
30 local and regional authors complete with book signings. Books will be provided for sale at the event by Leavenworth’s A Book for All Seasons. There will also be drawings to win “bookish” prizes. A list of attending authors and more information is available at writeontheriver.org
ROAD TRIP: MIGHTY TIETON’S DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
BY PAMELA FARRINGTON
This October, consider a road trip to the tiny town of Tieton, Wash., about 20 miles northwest of Yakima, to experience its annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Community Celebration.
A vibrant cultural tradition, Día de los Muertos transforms the quaint artist community with an explosion of color, music, food and dance.
At the heart of the celebration is a huge community altar, or ofrenda, filled with candles, flowers, papel picado, and other offerings created to honor loved ones who have passed and welcome their spirits back from eternal sleep to feast, drink and dance for just one night. Traditionally, the bitter-smelling marigolds (called cempazuchitl) are meant to evoke both vibrant, ephemeral life and bitter, inevitable death - embracing both.
Visitors are invited to bring photos of loved ones, write messages and bring mementos, candies or breads to add to
the altar, providing a special opportunity to remember those in our lives who are no longer with us.
The Tieton event also features live performances, artisan vendors, sugar skull displays, and a traditional sand painting by Oaxacan artist Fulgencio.
The Día de los Muertos art exhibition also opens that day in the Mighty Tieton Warehouse and runs through Nov. 9.
Festive and reverent at the same time, the event embodies the power of the Arts to bring people together and uplift diverse cultures and voices. If you’ve never visited this creative community, Día de los Muertos is your next best excuse to check it out.
If you go: The opening celebration is Oct. 26 from 12–5 p.m. in Tieton, Wash. The art exhibition opens at the Mighty Tieton Warehouse, located at 608 Wisconsin Ave. in Tieton and remains on view Fridays and Saturdays through November 15, or by appointment. Arrive ready to honor the past, celebrate the present, and experience the arts as a living bridge between cultures.
