Olympia Art Galleries

(Olympia, Washington - WA, USA)

For visual art of all descriptions in Olympia, the exhibition spaces are certainly varied. These range from spacious galleries and dedicated art centers, to simple coffee shops and local stores, as well as the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington State Library in the neighboring suburb of Tumwater.

There are also a number of imposing public art installations and murals dotted around the city of Olympia, which are often commissioned and arranged by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA). In particular, keep an eye out around the grounds of the State Capitol, the waterfront Percival Landing and in the lobbies of public buildings.

The Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park was the perfect attraction for a sunny day, offering the chance to combine strolling with art appreciation. However, due to flooding, the park had to 'temporarily close' at the end of December 2012. The plan was to reopen in 2013 but todate the attraction remains closed.

Art lovers may appreciate the pieces on display at the State of the Arts Gallery and the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery, which is based on the northern side of the South Puget Sound Community College.

Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery

Address: 2011 Mottman Road Southwest, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98512, USA
Tel: +1 360 596 5527
The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Gallery specializes in Native American heritage art works, including paintings, carved wooden sculptures and hand-weaved baskets. Students regularly exhibit their creations here and these generally include framed digital photographs, ceramics and sculptures, along with paintings and drawings.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Matter Gallery

Address: 422 Washington Street Southeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 943 1760
The Matter Gallery offers a rather eclectic mixture of art and represents in excess of 100 different artists. There are some unique paintings and sculptures, while the store also sells an assortment of furnishings, lighting and handmade jewelry. Also for sale are a variety of functional homeware items, such as stylish fruit bowls, candlesticks and mirrors.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 11:00 to 18:00, Sunday and Tuesday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

State of the Arts Gallery

Address: 500 Washington Street Southeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 705 0317
Located right next to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts and just a stroll away from Sylvester Park, the State of the Arts Gallery sits on the corner of 5th Avenue Southwest and Washington Street Southeast. Here it showcases the very best in Northwestern talent, with its paintings, silver jewelry, carved wooden discs, attractive trivets and unusual modernist sculptures. If you are a local from Olympia, you even have the opportunity to try out your art at home first, simply returning it for a refund if you change your mind.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:30, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Childhood's End Gallery

Address: 222 4th Avenue West, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 943 3724
Standing next to the Percival Landing Park, the Kissing Statue and the Heritage Park Fountain, the Childhood's End Gallery specializes in modern Pacific Northwest fine art, as well as more traditional American handicrafts, including pottery pieces, jewelry, glassware and woodwork. Established back in the early years of the 1970s, this commercial store is happy to ship purchases to most countries worldwide.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Splash Gallery of Olympia

Address: 501 Columbia Street Northwest, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 943 5177
Specializing in the creations of contemporary artists, the Splash Gallery is to be found on Columbia Street Northwest, where it opened as recently as the summer of 2011 and is dedicated to promoting and exhibiting promising artists based around the South Puget Sound area. The venue itself is easy to locate, since it stands alongside the Waterfront Boardwalk and just down the road from the Farmers' Market.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 11:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Evergreen Gallery

Address: Room 2204, 2737 McCann Plaza Drive Northwest, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98505, USA
Tel: +1 360 867 5125
Managed by the Evergreen State College's Visual Arts faculty, this gallery is part of the college campus and features contemporary pieces created by both staff and students. These range from giant colorful canvasses to imposing avant-garde sculptures.
Open hours: Monday to Wednesday - 10:00 to 18:00, Friday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free