Art Commons

Having worked our way through Creative Summit themes of Community, Catalyzing Change, the Fallow Season, and Healing, we have arrived at THE FUTURE. This is the realm of the teacher - the future possible. Introducing a very special Creative Summit on the morning of June 13 at the lovely Issaquah Farmer's Market, featuring all our regular activities plus TWO FREE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS! Workshop #1: Clay Station with KidsQuest Children's Museum Workshop #2: Teaching Artist Training for ANYONE who teaches ANY kind of art ***Teaching Artist Workshop is limited to 20 seats*** Attendance is free, but registration is required through our website: /creativesummits

Nicely blending in with the stacks, "Community in 3D" has reached its final destination, the Issaquah Library! Enjoy it for the next few weeks and get ready for the June 13 Creative Summit, "Art in Education," to be held concurrently with the Issaquah Farmer's Market. This is another morning event, we have high confidence that we will not get snowed in this time. More details coming very soon.

Did you know that there are no art teachers on staff in elementary schools across the entire Issaquah School District? Art Commons is working to help change that with the 2026/27 Teaching Artist Residency! Be a part of the change! /applytobeateachingartist Let us know if you have any questions!

Just a few examples from the show and tell exhibit at last week's Creative Summit: "Art as Medicine." A stunning combination of ideas, materials, and people! Thanks to everyone for sharing their work. Can't wait to see what you bring in June! At Creative Summits, all are welcome, free of charge, and everyone can bring or perform one work of art!

Arts as Medicine - I wish more people knew how healing art is. Looking forward to the day it is prescribed by "Art Doctors" Thank you to the entire team at Art Commons, Divya for curating and the Amazing Panelists James Miles and Tina Hays #juliehsieh #artcommons

This Creative Summit by @art.commons at @yuan.ru.art.center_bellevue offered a meaningful mix of connection and insight — from social hour to show-and-tell, ending with a powerful panel on “Art as Medicine.” Artists shared how creativity can be deeply therapeutic and transformative. Key takeaways: • Rewriting personal narratives through art • Taking control and moving forward • Trusting the process • Building empathy through expression • Engaging the brain in ways that disrupt fight-or-flight • Creating new neural pathways A powerful reminder that art can help heal and reshape our lives.

Join us at the lovely Yuan Ru Arts Center in Bellevue this Sunday from 2-5pm for this important conversation with experts and practitioners of the healing arts and the art of healing. There are still seats left, but it's under ten! It's free to attend, but registration is required to help us prepare for the number of people in attendance. And please bring some art to share for show and tell! You have 4 days to register, we hope to see you there: /creativesummits

The deadline to apply is tomorrow, April 22! Submit by 11:59pm on 4/22/26 to be considered for the 2026 Issaquah Open Studio Tour! All forms of art (visual, performing, literary, experimental) welcome! It is free to apply and featured artists receive a stipend for participation. Instructions here: /callforartists2026

🎨 Your art deserves an audience and you only have 5 days left to make it happen! Applications are NOW OPEN for the Issaquah Open Studio Tour 2026 and the best part? It's completely FREE to apply. No fee. No barrier. Just your art and an open door. Last year's tour was incredible- artists from all disciplines opened their spaces, connected with their community, and shared the stories behind their work. This year, that could be you. 🖌️ ✅ No application fee ✅ Open to all artists & disciplines ✅ Connect with collectors & art lovers ✅ Showcase your studio & your process 📅 Event Date: Saturday, 26 Sept 2026 ⏰ Application Deadline: April 22, 2026 Don't wait , we have only 10 spots for featured artists and the deadline is closer than you think. 👉 Apply now at /callforartists2026 DM for any questions !! #IssaquahOpenStudioTour #IssaquahOpenStudioTour2026 #IssaquahArt #OpenStudioTour #CallForArtists #ApplyNow #NoFee #OpenCall2026 #ArtistsOfInstagram #LocalArtists #ArtCommunity #SeattleArt #PNWArt #PacificNorthwestArt #WashingtonArt #StudioTour #ArtEvent2026 #OpenYourStudio #ArtOpportunity #SupportLocalArt

Why are the arts such a crucial resource for well being? How do we come to understand ideas about health, and from where do we seek tools for healing? Join us for the next Creative Summit with leaders and practitioners in a conversation you don't want to miss: 🔸Dr. Joyce Paul Simiak - Dancer and leader of the Socially Conscious ARtists Foundation (SCARF) 🔸James Miles a.k.a the Fresh Professor - Chief Strategy Officer at Path With Art 🔸Tina V. Hays - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Art Therapist at Fresco Mental Health 🔸🔸Art as Medicine🔸🔸 🔸Yuan Ru Art Center🔸 🔸April 26, 2-5pm🔸 🔸Free (registration required)🔸 Don't forget to bring your art to share, or sign up in the registration form to perform it! /creativesummits

🎨 Calling All Artists – Issaquah Open Studio Tour 2026 Applications are now open for the Issaquah Open Studio Tour 2026! This is your opportunity to share your work, connect with the community, and be part of a vibrant creative experience. Ten artists will be chosen through a **juried selection process**. This opportunity is open to **all disciplines of art** — 2D, 3D, performance-based, musical, literary… you name it! If you’re ready to: ✨ Showcase your creativity ✨ Connect with art lovers ✨ Share your artistic process ✨ Grow your visibility in the community ✨ Be part of a collaborative art experience This is for you. 📍 Issaquah Open Studio Tour 🎨 Open to multiple art disciplines ⭐ Juried selection – 10 artists will be chosen 👉 Apply here: /callforartists2026 👉 Tag an artist who should apply 👉 Share with your creative community Let’s bring art to life together. 💛 #callforartists #issaquahartists #issaquahart #openstudiotour #juriedartshow #artistcall #pnwartists #seattleartists #washingtonartists #eastsideartists #artopportunity #artistsupportartists #multidisciplinaryart #visualartists #performanceartists #literaryartists #musicalartists #artistcommunity #emergingartists #professionalartists #issaquahevents #seattleevents #artcommons #creativecommunity

Apply to be a featured artist in the 2026 Issaquah Open Studio Tour! We can't wait to discover and highlight your work for all to enjoy! Applications open until April 22! More info: /callforartists2026