by Molly Walsh
A celebration of the creative process, the Center Salon is a visual and sonic feast featuring a curated lineup of authors, visual and performing artists, many with ties to the Pacific Northwest.
bottom: Jim Lynch, Katya Miltimore, Rene Westbrook
The Center Salon began as a collaboration between members of the local creative community, including playwright Bryan Willis, author Jim Lynch and executive director of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Jill Barnes. To help showcase the South Sound’s thriving and diverse arts scene, the Center Salon is not only a concert, play, or poetry reading, but instead a unique experience that unites contrasting mediums into a singular show.
Willis has previous experience organizing salon-style performances through his work with the Northwest Playwrights Alliance, and views these variety performances as carrying on an important creative tradition.
A longtime Olympia resident, Willis’s connections to the local creative community have been helpful when curating the Center Salon’s lineup each year. Crafting a lineup takes considerable lead time and care, with Center Salon acts generally secured nine months to two years ahead of time. Willis looks to the wide array of artists who call Olympia and Thurston County home and is interested in featuring fresh talent in the Center Salon each year alongside returning Center Salon performers.
Beyond entertainment, salon-style performances are an opportunity to weave common threads between creative mediums, and for artists to craft additional dimensions within their work.
The 2026 Center Salon will take place May 9, in the Washington Center Black Box Theater with cabaret-style seating to provide an immersive ambiance. In commemoration of Mother’s Day weekend, many pieces included in this year’s Center Salon will tie back to the themes of mothers and motherhood. This includes a slideshow that will be projected ahead of the salon, featuring family photos of performers and audience members.
Jill Barnes will serve as the Center Salon’s master of ceremonies, and is also slated for a vocal performance with accompaniment from musician Jennifer Hermann. In addition, Hermann and her daughter Bethany Hermann will perform their own musical duet together.
“I look forward to the Center Salon every year,” said Jennifer Hermann. “This year is extra special because not only do I get to perform for the fifth year with my good friend Jill Barnes, this year I will also perform with my daughter Beth. She and I have played violin and piano together since she was four years old, and making music with her now as an adult is very meaningful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our mother-daughter relationship in this way.”
Alec Clayton, a local author, will share a piece of fiction, and Katya Miltimore, a local poet, will share some of her poetry. Rene Westbrook is a visual artist whose work has been displayed locally, and across the United States. At the Center Salon, Westbrook will unveil portions of her creative process, in addition to presenting visual work. This year’s headlining performer will be novelist Jim Lynch, whose book titles include The Highest Tide and Truth Like the Sun. Lynch is a returning performer to the Center Salon, and has plans to read a new short story that he has penned especially for the salon event, which focuses on his mother.
China Star, gallery coordinator for the Washington Center, will also lead a brief discussion about the gallery and its Mother’s Day exhibition. During intermission, audience members will be invited to the gallery to view the exhibit.
The 2026 Center Salon is a prime venue to celebrate Mother’s Day through art, song and prose that is inspired by motherhood. And with so many performances in one place, the Center Salon leaves room for experimentation, novelty and an element of surprise. Through the Center Salon, Willis is interested in presenting art that challenges perceptions, and finds common ground during a divisive time.
Those who plan to attend the 2026 Center Salon and the greater community are encouraged to participate in the Center Salon Mother’s Day themed slideshow that will run ahead of the performance. Family photos with mothers can be sent to education@washingtoncenter.org to be included in the slideshow.
WHAT:
The Center Salon
WHEN:
Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Washington Center for the Perform ing Arts Black Box Theater, 512 Washington St. SE Olympia
HOW MUCH:
Premium Table: $49-$51, High Table: $44-$46, Chair: $34-$36
LEARN MORE:
https/www.washingtoncenter.org/event/the-center-salon-5-9-2026/
See this article in the Spring 2026 Print Edition.