It's time to create new pathways to discover and engage with the arts in Issaquah
Advocacy
Attract, connect, promote, and retain creative community
Community
Incubate our creative network into vibrant ecosystem of artists, educators, supporters and participants
Programming
Create pathways to discover and engage with a full spectrum of visual, performing and literary arts
Presence
Establish local places for the creative ecosystem to gather, share, and connect
We're on a mission to enhance the arts and bring together the creative community
The idea of creating Issaquah Arts emerged organically through the work of people connected through the Issaquah Arts Commission, Issaquah Schools Foundation, and the Issaquah Creative District. From different perspectives, each could see the need for a dedicated organization to support and revitalize Issaquah's creative economy.
In the last few years, public surveys, focus groups, and arts granting requests confirm that local artists and creatives are seeking networking opportunities and places to make, perform, and experience art. Sadly, these results also reveal that Issaquah based artists are turning to other cities throughout the region to find space to work, exhibit, and perform.
This trend is unfortunate, and understandable
In the summer of 2019, Issaquah’s primary visual arts organization ArtEAST Collective & Gallery dissolved, leaving a gap in access to local art classes, gallery space and a creative network
The pandemic followed in 2020, resulting in the closure of more small art making and gathering spaces within historic Olde Town Issaquah
Access to creative spaces for collaboration and community gathering are limited, with studio and performance space commonly perceived as cost prohibitive and out of reach
Yet, there is opportunity ahead
A vibrant creative economy strengthens a city’s identity and vitality - attracting residents, visitors, and businesses. More arts means more opportunities to gather with other people, encouraging conversation and reducing isolation, strengthening the community while improving mental health and wellbeing.
Our City and County leaders acknowledge the powerful link between the arts and an engaged community. And, they need partners who can re-establish and nurture Issaquah’s vibrant arts community and creative economy.
The Founders and Charter Members of Issaquah Arts aim to bring together Issaquah's network of artists, makers, educators and enthusiasts, creating new pathways to discover and engage with the arts in Issaquah.
Issaquah Arts registered as a Washington State Non-Profit Corporation in 2023.
Founding Members
Rachel Wright
Rachel is a cultural entrepreneur, public scholar and community builder. She cultivates access points to art and culture through creative partnerships, cultural tourism and approachable technologies. Her work spans projects with international companies, start-ups, small businesses, universities, nonprofits and arts commissions. She has worked on public and private cultural heritage data and media projects for over twenty years, and understands the cultural and economic impacts of technologies that can democratize access and opportunity for artists, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
She received her BA at Santa Clara University in Art History and Political Science, and MA in Art History from The University of Texas at Austin. She has presented at Tulane University, 4Culture, American Alliance of Museums, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association.
Leslie Moore Pflug
Leslie is a passionate advocate for public access to the arts and arts education, committed to creating and cultivating new programs with strategic community partners. As a Dean at Green River College for 25 years, she led and managed a large college department, including the oversight of three branch campuses, 27 budgets, supervision of staff, faculty contracts, grant applications and management, academic standards, and marketing. During her tenure, she played key roles in the development and building of two new branch campuses (33K and 60K square feet). Leslie started her career as an arts educator, bringing hands-on experience to the needs of students and educators. Her work in the development of the campuses included the creation of dedicated spaces and revenue models to support arts education and ongoing community access to arts facilities, including ceramics studios, 2D and 3D art classrooms and the performing arts.
Leslie earned her Master of Education at the University of Puget Sound in Educational Leadership and Administration, and has served as an arts commissioner in Auburn and Issaquah.
Christina Craven
Chris is passionate about the power of place and an advocate for enhancing the unique character of Issaquah by cultivating and developing community through great design, program development, sustainability and adaptive reuse. She brings a diversity of experience in project management, construction management, architecture, and real estate development with a deep passion for sustainable building and environmental design. Her clients included healthcare, hospitality, corporate, and the performing arts. One highlight of her career includes the historic renovation and transformation of Seattle’s Eagles Auditorium into the ACT Theatre from site selection through post move-in. The unique challenges of simultaneous performances in vertically stacked stages, partnership with low income housing, and historic tax credit documentation made this project memorable and rewarding.
Chris earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin.
Juliette Ripley-Dunkelberger
Juliette pours her creativity into arts education, research, art making and performance. She is a practicing professional ceramic artist and President of the Columbia City Gallery, an instructor at the Kirkland Arts Center, and a creativity researcher. Throughout her career she has dedicated energy into local arts education initiatives that can improve wellbeing and build social connection. At the Issaquah Schools Foundation she took on the role of Creative Specialist and Artistic Support Program Director, overseeing the development of arts lessons to expand the use of the arts as an educational tool throughout the district. She was a member and local ceramics instructor at ArtEAST, and a member of the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra.
Juliette earned her BA in music performance at Washington State University, and a Master of Science in Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State University.