The Bat, giclee print by Jeffrey Veregge, Jamestown, S'Klallam, 2012.
Held each year in August, IN THE SPIRIT: Northwest Native Arts Market and Festival encompasses a day of dancing, drumming, singing, and shopping with a diverse group of Native American artists. The Museum’s outdoor plaza will be filled with vendors selling exquisite artwork in all price ranges. Round out your Festival experience by catching performances of native singers, musicians, and dance groups throughout the day in the outdoor amphitheater. In addition, the People’s Choice Award will be presented to the winning artist from each summer’s Native American art exhibit. The museum and all outdoor festival activities are FREE and open to the public.
The 2012 exhibit and festival was organized by the Washington State History Museum, The Longhouse Education & Cultural Center at the Evergreen State College. Made possible in part by The Boeing Foundation, Bamford Foundation, the Tacoma Arts Commission, and our media sponsor KUOW.
MODEL TRAIN FESTIVAL
While Santa’s elves produce a lot of train sets each holiday season, they can’t hold a candle to the quality and scale of the ones on display each year at the Washington State History Museum’s Model Train Festival.
"Railroads have played an important role in our state’s history," said Jennifer Kilmer, director of the Washington State Historical Society. "The model train festival provides a wonderful opportunity for us to share that history in a fun environment that involves Washington state residents and brings to life their passion for model trains."
The event showcases model train displays designed and assembled by model train enthusiasts across the state including: Boeing Employees Model Railroad Club, Cannonball Express, Pierce County Lionel Club, Mount Rainier N-Scale, 4D NTRACK Group, 4D PNR HO Modular Group, Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers and Washington State Operation Lifesaver. The displays occupy every floor of the museum and include the largest permanent model train layout in the state.
Missed the 2012 Festival? Take a look at this video, showcasing many of the year's layouts!