Brian Reed, Award-Winning This American Life Voice, Speaks Live at The Washington Center

By Christian Caravajal and Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS For over 20 years, “This American Life” has given public-radio airwaves an unusual perspective on current events, offering insightful commentary from such writers as John Hodgman, David Rakoff, David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell and of course, the inimitable Ira Glass. Recently, “This American Life” has taken steps …

Read more

South Sound Sacred Celebrations

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Winter is a time for family and for fun. Christmas is often celebrated as a single day during which the birth of Jesus Christ is remembered, yet, for observant Christians, the weeks before constitute an entire sacred season called “Advent” (which means “the arrival”). Advent is celebrated for four …

Read more

The Pumpkin House

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Pumpkin carving is an annual tradition at the Halloween season. In Olympia, the act of pumpkin carving has become a refined art form for one family who have become legendary for their devotion to the practice. At the “Pumpkin House” in the South Capitol Neighborhood, the Sheeran family create and display …

Read more

"Fly Away," painting by Lonnie L. Spikes Jr.

OLY ARTS Cover Artist Lonnie Spikes

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Lonnie L. Spikes Jr. is the artist whose piece “Fly Away” graces the cover of the Fall Arts Walk edition of OLY ARTS. “Fly Away” was created by Spikes after the death of a relative. During the funeral procession, Spikes noticed a monarch butterfly resting on a cross above …

Read more

Random Acts of Dance Collective at Arts Walk

by Christina Butcher and Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Olympia Arts Walk is a celebration of the visual arts, but it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate the physicality of creativity. For the fourth year in a row, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts will host a free, public dance recital with Random Acts of …

Read more

"Fly Away," painting by Lonnie L. Spikes Jr.

Cover Artist Lonnie Spikes

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Lonnie L. Spikes Jr. is the artist whose piece “Fly Away” graces the cover of this edition of OLY ARTS. “Fly Away” was created by Spikes after the death of a relative. During the funeral procession, Spikes noticed a monarch butterfly resting on a cross above the interment site. …

Read more

LaVon Hardison

Books by the Bay: A Party at Port Plaza

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS “Books by the Bay,” an annual music-and-literary party, will fill the Port Plaza on July 28. The event, which expands every year, is a fundraiser for the activities of the 16-year-old South Sound Reading Foundation. Three years ago, the Reading Foundation moved Books by the Bay to the plaza. …

Read more

chalk art at Procession of the Species

Chalk Art at the Procession of the Species

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS Nearly every inch of the route for the Procession of the Species is covered with vibrant chalk art. The Procession team hands out chalk to children from ages 0 to 99: Everyone is invited to create their own art on the route. Yet this is not just a momentary …

Read more

Scatterbrains

An Evening of Alternative Facts: An Improv Comedy Show

by Ned Hayes for OLY ARTS An improv resurrection is happening in Olympia. One of the Puget Sound region’s leading improvisational groups, the Scatterbrains Improv Comedy Troupe, disbanded years ago after being featured at Seattle’s Bumbershoot, Olympia’s Capital City Pride, Tacoma’s First Night and leading theatrical venues all around Puget Sound. The group didn’t disband because members …

Read more

In Defense of the Arts

by Ned Hayes, publisher and Christian Carvajal, managing editor of OLY ARTS “The arts…are essential to the prosperity of the state and to the ornament and happiness of human life. They have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.” —George Washington We stand for art. Our publication is …

Read more

Skip to content