North Kitsap has a vibrant arts community,
but what if we could bring together affordable places for artists to work, opportunities to exhibit and sell their creations, and space for teaching and learning — all under one roof?
What to do with an empty Poulsbo Space
The former Western Red Brewing building in downtown Poulsbo offers an intriguing possibility: individual artists' studios surrounding shared gallery, retail, and classroom spaces.
The goal would be more than providing studios for rent. It would be to create a community of working artists, a place where artists support one another, share their talents with the public, and contribute to the cultural life and vitality of downtown Poulsbo.
The question now is whether enough artists and arts organizations see value in the idea to help make it a reality.
To find out interest for this project:
Artists and Friends,
We are reaching out to share an incredible new opportunity for our local art community. The Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest (CAFNW) has been contacted by John Ackenshusen, President of the Jewel Box Theatre, regarding a concept to transform the former Western Red Brewery site into a vibrant Artist Enclave in downtown Poulsbo.
The property is situated right across from the Post Office, within the same main building that houses the Jewel Box Theatre, the Chamber, and several other local businesses. Crucially, the building's owner is a major supporter of the arts and is highly receptive to this vision.
Last week, representatives from CAFNW and the Poulsbo Art League walked through the vacant brewery space to assess its potential. With over 100 talented artists and art supporters in our network, this could become a major new hub for the arts in our town.
How You Can Help & Get Involved
To gauge interest and determine what kind of support we can generate, we need your feedback:
Take the Survey: Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and ideas through our web survey:
https://forms.gle/N6ujS7TsqaeukfQ69
Spread the Word: If you know another artist, maker, or arts advocate who should weigh in, please share this information across the art community.
Thanks you CAFNW