Last weekend after my High Latitudes Benefit in Seattle (which was great fun- thank you everyone who came!), Darin and I headed over the South Cascades mountains to the small town of Tieton which is close to Yakima. We were there to visit the Mighty Tieton, an entrepreneurial arts endeavor founded in 2005 by Ed Marquand, the owner of Marquand Books in Seattle. I’m exploring possibilities for working with the Mighty Tieton as artist-in-residence next year and it was exciting to learn more about their projects and see their creative spaces.

Ed and his associates invested in several empty fruit warehouses and buildings that have since been converted into amazing art, work, live, and meeting spaces. One warehouse is now 14 condos and another 40,000 square foot warehouse is now home to the Goathead Press printmaking workshop, a full woodshop, kite workshop, the studio of sound-artist Trimpin, and a massive event space. Another building down the street is home to Marquand Editions studio and bindery. The creative energy of so many art and production spaces is inspiring. It’s well worth a visit and while there, be sure to stop by the brand new Tieton Creamery with fresh goat cheese and eggs. I look forward to my artist-in-residency and contributing to Mighty Tieton’s endeavors!