HomeMy WebLinkAbout102326 Arts Commission Announces Art Awards for 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Katy Goodman,Arts & Culture
Coordinator, (360) 385-3000 x5098
October 23, 2026 kgoodman@cityofpt.us
ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES ART AWARDS FOR 2026
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Nominations open through December 31for artists and arts supporters from Port Townsend
and Jefferson County.
PORT TOWNSEND –The Port Townsend Art Awards, a program of the Port Townsend Arts
Commission (PTAC), is now open for nominations. The awards honor notable works of art,
artistic achievements, and arts events to celebrate those who have contributed to the arts in
Port Townsend and East Jefferson County. Award winners are chosen based on nominations
Individual artists, businesses, patrons, educators, notable art-related events, and artistic
achievements from individuals and organizations are all eligible for nominations. Nominations
are due by December 31, 2026, with an Awards Ceremony held on the evening of Friday, March
mony will kick-off the Creative
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2027, details to be announced.
District’s Soundcheck Festival on Friday, March 5
These accolades are a continuation of the reimagined Port Townsend Art Awards, which were
launched in 2025. Previous to last year, from 1999-2024, PTAC awarded two awards a year: the
Angel of the Arts and the Patron of the Arts. The updated format instead honors three to six
local artists, cultural producers, or arts patrons based on their impact on the arts in our
The recipients of the 2025 Port Townsend Art Awards were:
o Alexandra Anagnostopoulos, Arts Catalyst Award for coordinating the Jefferson
County Memorial Field fence mural project;
o Daniel Ferland, Arts Educator Award for leading the Chimacum High School band to
a performance in the Washington, DC parade celebrating America 250;
o Genevieve Barlow, Creative Community Builder Award for her work as the artistic
director of Saltfire Theatre as well as her work with KPTZ Radio and Centrum;
o Martha Worthley, Arts Legacy Award for her leadership with Northwind Art and
long-time advocacy and work as a professional and teaching artist;
o and The Port Townsend Youth Theater, Youth Impact Award for its numerous
productions, workshops, and education opportunities for PT students.
PTAC expanded the number of annual awards with the goal of better celebrating our
community’s wide range of artists, educators, and supporters. PTAC chair, Doug Caskey,
affirmed, “These awards reflect how integral the arts are to our ‘Victorian Seaside & Arts
Community’ and the myriad ways that the recipient artists improve the quality of our lives
here.”
Residents of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County may submit nominations which will be
o Is uniquely Port Townsend/East Jefferson County;
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o
o
o
o
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o Represents a broad array of the arts community: performance, music,
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Members of the Port Townsend Arts Commission, a volunteer advisory board for the Port
Townsend City Council, will jury the nominations and select the recipients. PTAC is made up of
Port Townsend residents who have an interest in and connection to the arts.
In August, artist Claire Ragland was selected through an open call to design and fabricate this
year’s award trophies, which will each be a one-of-a-kind ceramic vessel. As part of the new
awards format, a local artist will be commissioned each year to create a special piece for the
recipients. These works of art become part of a growing collection of original artist-made
awards that commemorate each year’s ceremony and awardees.
“All manner of art forms are so deeply interwoven in the fabric of our community, I am pleased
to support the Arts Commission as they seek to honor the artists that make this place so
remarkable,” says Katy Goodman, the City’s arts and culture coordinator, and staff liaison to
PTAC. “There is no limit to the number of people who have shaped the arts experience here in
The City encourages everyone interested in celebrating the arts to nominate the people or
organizations that have made Port Townsend and East Jefferson County a better place through
their creative efforts, vision, and patronage. Nominations can be made here:
https://citygrants.fillout.com/artawards
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Information about the Port Townsend Art Awards, including the scoring rubric, is available here:
https://cityofpt.us/bc-ac/page/arts-awards