THE ARTS ISSUE
A Safe Space at Open Mic
The Art of Blacksmithing Lives On
Local Artist Tracy Poindexter-Canton Explores
Art Inspired by Literature
Celebrating Sharma Shields: Humanities
Washington Changemaker
Wondering Our Way to a Little Magic Library Impact: Illustrated
Lilac City Local
A Spokane Public Library Publication
Editor-In-Chief
Amanda Donovan
Managing Editor
Alina Murcar
Copy Editor
Skyler Noble
Contributing Writers
Alina Murcar
Sharma Shields
Skyler Noble
Kate J. Reed
Tim Greenup
Executive Director
Andrew Chanse
Board of Trustees
Alexi Castilla
Danielle DeJaegher
Shelby Lambdin
Mari Margil
13 No Experience Necessary: Line Dancing Toward Joy at the Library
On the cover: Mallory Battista poses with other participants in local nonprofit Columbia Fire and Iron at The Hive.
SPOKANE PUBLIC LIBRARY LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
All Spokane Public Library buildings sit on the traditional homelands of the four bands of the Spokane Tribe of Indians: sntútʔulixʷi, snxʷmeneʔi, s ̓qesciłni, and slʕʷotéw s̓ i (Upper Band, Middle Band, Lower Band, and Chewelah Band). Since time immemorial, the Spokane Tribe of Indians has lived and cared for these grounds. Identifying themselves as “sqélixʷ,” or “Flesh of the Earth.” We pay our respects to their Elders—past, present, and emerging. We show gratitude to the land, river, and peoples who have been fishing, hunting, harvesting, and gathering here for generations. May we learn from one another’s stories so that we may nurture the relationship of the People of the Spokane Tribe and to all those who share this land.
Library Lovers Day is the New Valentine’s Day
FBy Sharma Shields, Writing Education Specialist, Spokane Public Library
ebruary 14th isn’t just Valentine’s Day; it’s also Library Lovers Day!
According to the National Today website, Library Lovers Day began in Australia in 2006 and has spread worldwide, with libraries around the globe highlighting reader-to-book matchmaking events (like our “Blind Date with a Book” selections) and encouraging residents to write love letters to their favorite libraries. While Valentine’s Day emphasizes gift-buying, long-stemmed roses, fancy meals, and dressing up, Library Lovers Day celebrates the wealth of community and free resources libraries provide to us all, no matter who we are or who we’re with or not with, and even if we’re wearing sweatshirts and pajama bottoms (lol).
And to help us kick off Library Lovers Day 2026, here are book recommendations from local writers, arts organizers, and book lovers around our region. All of these titles are available for checkout at Spokane Public Library. Visit the Spokane Public Library blog to see more local author pick’s for Library Lovers Day.
Margaret Albaugh, artist, photographer, and author of Where I End and You Begin: “Intermezzo sticks out to me immediately. This is Sally Rooney’s latest and I always enjoy the way she examines her characters, their desires, their motivations, and their grievances. She does a good job of exploring the different ways that we meet love, grief, and our shadows. And I borrowed the audiobook from the library!”
Stephanie Oakes, educator and author, most recently of The Meadows: “My favorite book of the past year was The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Don’t be intimidated by this massive tome! It’s both complex and incredibly readable. It gave me everything that I wanted from other fantasy epics like Game of Thrones: more LGBTQ+ characters, less violence against women, and a lot more magic.”
Shhh! Join Our Quiet Reading Party
To celebrate Library Lovers Day, we’re hosting a “Quiet Reading Party” at the Liberty Park Library on, you guessed it, February 14th, from 4:305:30 PM. Bring a book from home or grab a book from our library shelves, find a comfortable seat in the event rooms or in the library general, and enjoy a quiet reading experience surrounded by other library lovers and bibliophiles. eBooks and audiobooks are also welcome (so long as the audiobooks have headphones). We’re calling it a “Quiet Reading Party” rather than a “Silent Reading Party” because public libraries should never be expected to be silent spaces.
Laura Read, poet and author most recently of The Serious World: “Sonora Jha's new book, Intemperance. I greatly enjoyed Jha's The Laughter because of its humor, its social critique, and its unreliable narrator. and Intemperance shares that book's humor and feminism, but this one has a very reliable and winning narrator, a bit of magical realism, and a love story. Perfect for Valentine's Day!”
Jenny Davis, educator and published essayist who runs writing workshops at Spark Central: “My favorite book I’ve read this year is probably Orbital, by Samantha Harvey. Orbital takes place over the course of a single day in the lives of the six astronauts/cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The story meditates on the nature of human connection, time, and perspective. The writing is lush, stunning.”
The Art of Blacksmithing Lives On
By Alina Murcar, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
“People still do this?”
That’s what Mallory Battista first thought when she saw the late Steve McGrew, a local blacksmith and founding member of the local nonprofit Columbia Fire and Iron, forging at the county fair in 2014. She was so taken by the idea that she started a beginner class with Steve and quickly got involved in the club, which at
“But that’s one of the things that makes Columbia Fire and Iron (CFI) so impactful—it allows people to try blacksmithing without having to make a huge personal investment.”
The volunteer-run nonprofit recently secured a six-month artist residency at The Hive, where they’ve been able to share the joy of blacksmithing with library cardholders and beyond.
“Blacksmithing isn’t the easiest craft to get into; the tools are heavy and pricey. But Columbia Fire and Iron allows people to try blacksmithing without having to make a huge personal investment.”
the time only had two events each year due to space, time, and price limitations.
“Blacksmithing isn’t the easiest craft to get into; the tools are heavy and pricey,” said Mallory.
The Hive has been home to a variety of artists since its inception in 2021. Photographers, oil painters, fiber artists, community groups, writers, woodworkers,
ceramists, and now blacksmiths. For many artists who receive a residency at The Hive, this is the first time they’ve had space to dream big and actually manifest
of a trailer that was purchased with a SAGA grant back in 2018. “Every time we had an event, we had to set up all of the equipment and put it all away at the end of the day,” said Mallory. “Having a space where the equipment just stays set up and we can come and go as we please has been amazing to say the least.”
The more accessible space at The Hive has also given the volunteers more time and opportunity to try more challenging forging projects like helping restore ironwork for St. John’s Cathedral, including
a candelabra and some door spikes. For Mallory she has personally started working on forging new flowers and leaves and hopes to make a small garden gate during her remaining time at The Hive.
“When we’re able to elevate the skillset of our volunteer instructors, we are able to expand the variety of projects that we’re able to teach,” said Mallory.
For many, when they hear about CFI, they often have the exact same reaction as Mallory did in 2014. Mallory and CFI Volunteer Coordinator, Kitty Norwood both shared that they hope providing more knowledge and access to blacksmithing connects people with the ancient practice.
“The history of blacksmithing is long, since the discovery of iron around 2000 BC,” said Mallory. “There is something really primal about tending the forge, heating steel until it glows orange, and changing its shape with a hammer and an anvil.”
Kitty reflected with similar sentiments, “Teaching both young and old to work with their hands using these
ancient techniques is truly special. I deeply enjoy sharing my love of blacksmithing with newbies and helping to inspire them to achieve their own creative dreams.”
While many people think that blacksmithing is an art of the past, it is actually very much still alive, and even thriving, in the Spokane area.
Want to give blacksmithing a try? Stay tuned for Columbia Fire and Iron events coming in February and March. Dates to be announced on our events calendar soon.
A Safe Space at Open Mic
By Alina Murcar, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
Joyous cheers pour from Central Library’s third floor every first and third Wednesday of the month. Imagine turning the corner to see a crowd clapping along as a 4-yearold child dances their heart out to Golden by HUNTR/X. The entire audience continues to cheer for the entirety of the song as the young KPop Demon Hunters fan hops around on stage. If she can do it, you can, too. This kind of support isn’t unusual at Open Mic at the Library. Leave your stage fright at the door and express your creativity
Unlike many open mic nights that are exclusive to bars and 21+ venues, this event is designed with everyone in mind no matter your age or skill level. Whether you are sharing an original song, strumming a guitar, or reciting poetry, participants find encouragement in a safe, alcohol-free environment where their self-expression is not scrutinized, but celebrated.
For those who don’t have instruments, the library
provides acoustic guitars, ukuleles, a keyboard, microphones, and speakers. This makes it possible for anyone to step up and perform.
The program is held in partnership with the David Z Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing high-quality music education and experiences to underprivileged youth around the world.
Assisted Residential Services of Washington, which supports adults with developmental disabilities, regularly attends open mic at the library. Recreational Therapy Director Terra Poirier brings clients to Open Mic as part of their community integration activities.
“In the past, we tried to go to different bars in Spokane to sing karaoke,” Terra explained. “We can do it at our facility, but we really want our clients to have the opportunity to perform safely in the community. Open Mic gives them the chance to build confidence, practice social skills, and express themselves in front of a supportive audience.”
About 25 clients now attend each Open Mic, with hopes to eventually involve all 50 residents.
They work on skills like patience, boundaries, and collaboration in their daily programming, and Open Mic provides the perfect place to put those lessons into practice.
“Even having access to the instruments we don’t have at our facility has been wonderful,” Terra shared. “It’s such a unique opportunity for our clients to use professional-quality equipment and share their voices with the public.”
She recalls one moment when a client from another facility began slowly joining her group at Open Mic, eventually making friends and building community connections. “That’s what it’s all about,” Terra said. “It’s more than just music—it’s a safe place to belong.”
Through the partnership with the David Z Foundation and the commitment of library staff, Open Mic continues to grow as a celebration of Spokane’s creative community. Whether you’re stepping up to the microphone for the first time or simply coming to listen, everyone is welcome.
By Kate J. Reed, Illustrator, & Tim Greenup, Poet
Olaf, the comic relief snowman from Disney’s Frozen, has a theory about humankind’s paradoxical relationship to technology, seeing it as “both our savior and our doom.” We tend to agree. If not for modern medicine, both of us— your dear coauthors—would be long dead. A sad prospect (for us, anyway). At the same time, over the last decade or so, our access to all the answers, ever, has felt less awe-inspiring and more boring. Perhaps you agree. Social media, internet research, and newfangled phenomena like ChatGPT and Gemini have blurred from possibility to noise.
Last year, we realized that Googling every small curiosity that popped into our minds (e.g., “Does botox affect life expectancy?”) had become more impulse than choice. What’s worse, we were often unsatisfied, overwhelmed, or distracted by the results and unable to hold onto any coherent answers. So I (the Kate half of this authorship) came up with a project: instead of Googling all my curiosities, I began recording my “wonders” and using them to inspire a series of illustrations. I named the project Wonder Killer after a Tig Notoro bit about cell phones. Our whole family has gotten into this. The kids—we have a seven and eleven year old—ask as many questions as they ever have about, for example, whether or not chickens have belly buttons, but we resist the temptation to find immediate answers and instead speculate freely, make (un)educated guesses, and together occupy a space of wonder.
We’ve found that, when done right, wonder promotes connection. We recently taught a poetry workshop at the Liberty Park Library to encourage others to use their curiosity for creative exploration. We brought
Books to Help You Resist the “Wonder Killer”
up a question someone had shared with me on Instagram: Can you eat the inside of an aloe plant? I’d already done some library research and found warnings not to. But we—all of us at the workshop— didn’t know why. We did know, collectively, you can buy edible aloe. So how do we put those two pieces of information together?
Then someone offered up a story about how their friend who works in an emergency room often encounters kids having allergic reactions when at-home aloe plants are used on cuts and scrapes. After more collective wondering, someone else offered up the golden nugget: what makes the inside poisonous and prone to causing allergic reactions is latex; you have to separate the latex out, then it’s safe to ingest. And THEN we started wondering, “Wait, is latex naturally occurring?” A good portion of us thought it was synthetic. It felt a bit like shared magic: which is what the Wonder Killer project has brought us this past year. What makes the magic possible is a group dedication to occupying a space of not knowing—which is slightly uncomfortable when you know we probably have the answer just a few clicks away. And although we’ve found that answers normally come to us eventually, we’ve found “answers” were maybe not what we were looking for in the first place.
Here’s another question that popped up organically in the workshop: Where was the poet William Stafford from? We started to talk about what we know about him and his work, but before we got very far, someone looked up the answer on their phone. And we all went, “ohhh.” And the conversation ended. Like someone had thrown water on a flicker before it got a chance to really burn.
From the Vault to the Page Poetry, Archives, and Radical Welcome
By Alina Murcar, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
Imagine the first page of a 1928 edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe refashioned as a visual poem.
Or perhaps picture the famous print Las Camas de la Muerte by Francisco Goya transposed into a piece of poetry.
These are just two examples of how award-winning Inland Northwest writers recently responded to rare books and items housed in Spokane Public Library’s protected, climatecontrolled vault. The authors re-imagined these pieces as part of a library event called From the Vault: A Rare Books Poetry Project, which inspired unexpected and lyrical conversations between the past and present.
One of many events hosted by Writing Education Specialist Sharma Shields and Archivist
and Special Collections Librarian Dana Bronson, From the Vault encourages people to interact with items that are not often seen by the public.
This accessible practice is a part of what Rachel Vagts, an archivist at Denver Public Library, coined as “radical welcome.”
“When starting my position at the library, I wanted to incorporate Rachel’s practice into the Inland Northwest Special Collections,” said Dana. “Visiting the Special Collections can be an intimidating experience, and many people feel like they need to be a ‘serious researcher’ to see some of our most valuable materials. But in the Inland Northwest Special Collections, we celebrate people coming in simply because they are curious and want to feel inspired by our collections.”
For many writers, the Inland Northwest Special Collections also plays a large role in helping them research their stories, whether fiction or nonfiction.
“Research and curiosity are natural parts of the writing process,” said Sharma. “That’s why it’s been so
much fun to collaborate with Dana. She has a great wealth of knowledge paired with a passion for sharing history with others. As a writer, working with historical artifacts and people who know them well helps elevate a story.”
Combining a love of research and writing, Sharma and Dana have collaborated on a variety of events throughout the year, including a monthly “Illuminations” event where they highlight items from the vault.
“Dana came up with the title of these events, and I love that she chose the word ‘Illuminations.’ We really are bringing these items into the light,” said Sharma. There are many crossovers between archive work and writing. While Dana collects and curates stories from the past, Sharma works with authors and poets who research both historical and contemporary narratives. “The From the Vault collaboration not only highlighted rare books in our collection but also demonstrated the talent of our local writers living and working now.
For example, it was very exciting to see Gonzaga professor and essayist Inga Laurent write about Spokane’s first Black communityrun newspaper, The Citizen, and to see the upcoming writer Annastacia Stegall write an essay
Las Camas de la Muerte by Francisco Goya.
inspired by a woman’s scrapbook from the 1800s,” said Sharma. “It’s so cool for Dana and me to see these conversations unfold.”
Participant Shantell Jackson, reflected on her archival item: “What stood out to me about Rariora wasn’t a single line, but the book’s nature as a collection of works gathered over time. It made me think about archives, ritual, and humans as vessels and how we hold personal and collective history in our bodies. From there, I leaned into the metaphor of the vessel and the presence of a deity or inner power that shapes, mends, and restores us.”
Shantell said, “Growing up in Christianity, I learned about the Potter and the clay, and the idea that broken pieces can be made whole again. That memory, and even the song ‘The Potter’s House’ by Tramaine Hawkins, informed the way I approached this project. Additionally there
is something about archives and ritual over time, how we have made sense of it to fit contemporary context.”
Both the From the Vault and Illuminations events give the public a chance to directly interact with the rare items on display. Dana added, “It’s awe-inspiring to watch someone interact with materials they usually don’t get to see outside of an academic setting. They are always like, ‘Really? I get to touch this?’”
Everyone is welcome to attend the library’s upcoming Illuminations events and enjoy precious items from the archives.
Illuminations: Illuminated Manuscripts with Hannah Charlton
Thursday, January 29 at 11am, Central Library, Inland Northwest Special Collections
Illuminations: Fairy Tales, Folktales, and Nursery Rhymes
Thursday, February 26th, 11am, Central Library, Inland Northwest Special Collections
Illuminations: The History of the Book with Mel Hewitt of LibroBuch
Thursday, March 26 at 11am, Central Library, Inland Northwest Special Collections
Shantell Jackson holding Rariora (1858-1900) by John Eliot Hogdkin
Margaret Albaugh poses with her poem and her inspiration: Las Camas de la Muerte, an etching in Franciso de Goya’s Los Desastres de la Guerra (published in the early 19th Century)
Inga Laurent with The Citizen: Deer Lake Special Newspaper
An excerpt from Margaret Albaugh’s poem inspired by archival painting Las Camas de la Muerte by Francisco Goya.
LOCAL ARTIST TRACY POINDEXTER-CANTON
EXPLORES ART INSPIRED BY LITERATURE
Literature may guide us through the most pivotal moments in our lives— love, joy, family, friendship, grief, uncertainty, growth—you name it. Stories make their mark on us.
While a picture is worth a thousand words, local artist Tracy Poindexter-Canton turns thousands of words into art to preserve the legacy of the works she loves. The goal: inspire others to read the books her art is born from.
forwards. She occasionally guest lectures at Gonzaga University, where students will read Morrison’s work, discuss their themes, and be presented with Tracy’s artwork to seek out the different symbols in them they recall from their readings.
“Toni Morrison has always been my person for everything. I read her books over and over at various ages, and find new meaning in them,” said Tracy. Through mixed media art, Tracy tells the story of her personal connections with literature in hidden meanings
Tracy’s advice is to go deeper. “Do what speaks to you, what brings you joy. Don’t worry about what other people think.”
On the walls of Liberty Park Library, nestled in a corner by the nonfiction stacks and a quiet study room, you will find two works by local artist Tracy PoindexterCanton, made from many materials – beads, acrylic, golden bones, parchment, wax. Each item intentionally chosen to express the themes Tracy took from Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Beloved.
A Toni Morrison scholar, Tracy knows her works backwards and
throughout the work. In her piece To Shalimar, golden bones represent a symbol of ancestry and knowing where you come from. Above the character named Milkman, a figure flies on wings shaped in the outline of Africa, sketched and formed with glue, to symbolize his roots in the world and his heritage. In another piece, she hid keys in the art to symbolize home, accessibility, and sense of ownership for something of your own. When inspiration strikes, art becomes a spiritual
Credit: Carl Richardson.
POINDEXTER-CANTON LITERATURE
By Skyler Noble, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
experience for her. She becomes the creative vessel for her passion for literature.
“I am trying to go beyond illustrating the novel, trying to take it to a new level of emotional experience from what I’ve read,” said Tracy. “This is the theme that touched me, the characters, and I am trying to hone in on that.”
While Tracy has permanent works on display at the library, To Shalimar and Carrying, she has also shown month-long displays at a variety of library locations featuring some of her newer work. Her first show at Indian Trail Library in 2017 centered around five of Toni Morrison’s works: Song of Solomon, Beloved, Sula, The Bluest Eye, and Home, which started her relationship with the library. Tracy frequently works with bookstores and libraries to connect the viewer with the literature its inspired by.
And Morrison isn’t the only inspiration she pulls from. Tracy is drawn to literature where she can
sense the characters based on their intricate description. This includes Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Charmaine Wilkerson’s Black Cake, anything from the playwright August Wilson, children’s books from Eric Carle, among many others. She has displayed art at Shadle Park Library, the former East Side Library, and South Hill Library. Tracy’s next library art display will be at Indian Trail Library in January 2026 with a collection of daily collages made on pieces of cardboard and scrap paper within just one hour. The collages are created intuitively as visual vignettes that suggest their own narratives.
“I want to encourage people to get excited about the books that the art is based off and build a stronger
MEET THE ARTIST
connection with it. My goal is for people to see the artwork, read the books they’re inspired by, and come back to the artwork once they’ve made a connection with the texts,” she said.
Tracy’s love of Morrison’s works acts as a catalyst for creation. This love goes beyond words as she becomes the vehicle for her creation to take shape. For those who don’t have the words to express the love they have for a piece of literature, Tracy’s advice
Tracy Poindexter-Canton teaches a course at Gonzaga University.
is to go deeper. “Do what speaks to you, what brings you joy. Don’t worry about what other people think. When it comes purely from my soul, it works out.”
Find Tracy online at tracypoindexter-canton.com or on Facebook or Instagram @artbytpc.
See an exhibition of Poindexter-Canton’s art at Indian Trail Library throughout January and meet the artist at a reception on January 18 from 2-4pm at Indian Trail Library.
The Toni Morrison books that inspire artist Poindexter-Canton.
By Alina Murcar, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
What is an Artist-InResidence?
Since August of 2021, over 55 creative individuals have enjoyed artist residencies at The Hive®. These artists and writers have written novels, painted enormous canvases, silkscreened on clay structures, built massive public sculptures, and more.
Four studio spaces at The Hive are dedicated to full-time artist residencies for anywhere between 1-6 months. Local artists get the space in exchange for providing free arts classes to the community.
Libraries mean different things to different people. They can be places of inspiration, refuge, joy, growth, and discovery, often all at once.
To celebrate libraries and their importance in our community, Spokane Public Library recently partnered with four past, present, and upcoming Artists-in-Residence at The Hive® and invited them to reflect on how the library has shaped them, translating that impact into original works of art.
Local artists Hannah Charlton, Sarah Louise Windisch, Genie Maples, and Katie Creyts, offered distinct and personal interpretations of how Spokane Public Library inspires, empowers, informs, and connects our community.
Each artist approached the prompt through their own creative lens. The resulting pieces reflect the many ways the library shows up in people’s lives—sparking inspiration, offering space to grow, providing joy and refuge, or nurturing a love of reading.
Now through the end of March 2026, pick up new bookmarks, stickers, a limited-edition library card, or drop by one of our partnering breweries for a custom coaster: Brick West, Iron Goat, Perry Street, Whistle Punk, and Four Eyed Guys. Not only that, but keep your eyes peeled in the community for special billboards featuring the artist’s work, paid for by the John Cotton Dana Award—a prestigious national award won by the library in 2024.
Pick Up a Limited-Edition Library Card!
WEAR YOUR LIBRARY LOVE
Want a fun way to support the library? Check out the online library shop and buy local artist-designed merchandise! go.spokanelibrary.org/LibraryShop
Sarah Louise Windisch
Katie Creyts
Genie Maples
Hannah Charlton
Get to Know the Artists
Sarah Louise Windisch creates bold, neon art blending joy, rebellion, and humor, featuring cheeky critters and sharp social commentary. She carves lino blocks, slings ink, and presses out limited-run prints.
“As a library kid, I loved the READ posters that had characters and people like Yoda, Lavar Burton, and Spock that were seemingly everywhere in the 90s. I thought creating one for Spokane Public Library would be awesome, so I combined fun magazine clippings to form the word READ and added it to one of my most popular block print characters—a screaming marmot!”
Hannah Charlton studied art at Whitworth University, where she first became interested in medieval art. She creates medieval-style illuminated manuscript pages using traditional techniques and modern materials.
“All of my work is inspired by other works of art from the Middle Ages, particularly forms of art that you don’t really see anymore, like illuminated manuscripts. That is the main inspiration for this piece and I hope when people see it they are delighted to see something just simply pretty to look at.”
Genie Maples moved from Asheville, NC to Spokane just a year ago. Her work consists of large oil paintings, sculptural and 2D fiber works, and illustration in pen and ink or digital media.
“This piece was inspired by a painting that I made in my last studio in Asheville, which I then made into a digital work. I see my piece almost as an open book that people come to with their own experiences and emotions, and hopefully use the prompts within the painting as a springboard to explore and reflect on their own stories.”
Katie Creyts is an artist and Professor of Art at Whitworth University. Her work explores landscape and human and animal interactions. Creyts has exhibited her work nationally.
“I recently completed a residency at The Hive, which was such a creatively rich time for me. I wanted to make a piece that featured animals while also inviting play and inspiration drawn from the library itself. I spent time in the Inland Northwest Special Collections, scanning items with interesting textures, and used those scans to build the animals in this work. My hope is that it encourages a sense of play, helps people reconnect with their own creativity, and sparks inspiration.”
CELEBRATING
SHARMA SHIELDS HUMANITIES
WASHINGTON
CHANGEMAKER!
We are pleased to announce Spokane Public Library’s Writing Education Specialist, Sharma Shields, is a recipient of the Eastern Humanities Washington Award in the category of Changemaker.
The Humanities Washington Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the public humanities—people and organizations who bring new stories to light, connect their communities, and encourage us all to think, reflect, and learn. In celebration of their 50th year as an organization, Humanities Washington recently honored 50 people and organizations across the state with this award based on their work living these key human values.
As an acclaimed author and experienced educator, Sharma brings deep knowledge, humility, and generosity to her role. She creates an inclusive, empowering environment for
writers of all backgrounds, skill levels, and identities to find connection and belonging through free services at the library. Whether she is meeting one-on-one with aspiring authors or building vibrant public programs, Sharma approaches every interaction with care and attentiveness. She helps others recognize the value of their voices and stories.
Sharma’s work is a shining example of how the humanities can transform individuals and communities. Her work is infused with the belief that all people are equal in dignity and that public spaces should foster a welcoming environment where stories are honored and ideas are shared freely and productively. Through her vision, patience, and respect for each person’s story, she embodies the mission of Humanities Washington. Learn more at humanities.org/story/honoring-50-forour-50th.
By Alina Murcar, Manager, Marketing & Communication, Spokane Public Library
Step, lean, skip, turn, and repeat while Shania Twain, George Strait, and Miley Cyrus help keep you on the beat.
These movements and music in succession form what Nelly Christofferson teaches weekly at Shadle Park Library and Indian Trail Library—a joyous fusion of line dancing and culture.
In addition to her role as Vice President of the Filipino-American Association of the Inland Empire (FAAIE), Nelly started teaching line dance and Zumba classes in 2023 as part of the organization’s programs. Fast forward two years and Nelly met Juan Juan Moses, one of the Spokane Public Library’s community educators. After seeing Nelly hold the attention of a large group of people during a fashion show at the library’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration, Juan Juan knew she had to bring in Nelly for more library programming.
“After the event, Nelly approached me and said that FAAIE hosts ongoing line dance classes, but they were growing out of their facility and in need of a larger space,” said Juan Juan. “Not only did they want to expand, but they wanted to incorporate more of the community, which aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Weekly line dance classes began at Shadle Park Library shortly after in May 2025. Since then, they’ve grown to an average of 20 participants per class with participants ranging in age from young to retired. What keeps people coming back for more? Juan Juan insists that it’s Nelly’s joy.
“She’s so spontaneous, fun-loving, and her joy is contagious,” said Juan Juan. “Customers don’t just come to dance, they come to get a good dose of her joy! In fact, watching how much joy she brings to the community has made me rethink the focus of my programs. How can we spread more joy through events at the library? Joy is essential to our wellbeing. Joy is without boundaries.”
Fusing a mix of country, Latin, and a sprinkle of pop music, Nelly incorporates music for everyone with hopes that all attendees find music they enjoy dancing to throughout class.
“I usually pick songs that people of all ages can dance to,” said Nelly. “I start with country music like Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman, and Write This Down by George Strait. But sometimes I experiment with songs in other musical styles like Mambo Italiano, Cumbia Semana, and we might even throw in Flowers by Miley Cyrus.”
Nelly values the line dance classes for much more than the movement benefits. After her husband died in November 2023, Nelly found solace and community through dance.
“I knew I didn’t want to stay home alone a lot, so I decided to lean more into teaching,” Nelly said. “This was my way of coping, and it’s a great way to build community. Dancing is one way I can help people get out, move their bodies, and make friends!”
Worried you might not have the moves to join a class? Nelly encourages you to think again and give it a try.
“I hear time and time again people say they aren’t good dancers,” said Nelly. “But the beautiful thing is, we aren’t looking for good dancers, we just want you to get active and have fun! If you make a mistake, no one is going to judge you—in fact, I make mistakes all of the time! Like anything in life, if you make a mistake, just keep going.”
Nelly Christofferson, front left, poses with Juan Juan Moses, center, and other line dancers.
