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Explore the Arts
File photo
the biggest event of the year is the Anacortes Arts Festival, each August downtown.
Explore the Arts
Many artists call Anacortes home, and their works can be seen all over town.
Public art
Anacortes has numerous murals and sculptures, available any time and in any weather.
“Aerie” is a large bird nest culture in the roundabout on the way into town where Highway 20 turns onto Commercial Avenue.
“Three Sails” doubles as a welcome sign near the Anacortes ferry terminal entrance.
watch over Cap Sante Marina, along with the Seafarers’ Memorial.
“Annie Curtis” is the
bronze orca fin named after the town’s namesake and created by Gerard Tsutakawa.
“Windsong” by Leo Osborne is a bronze at Kiwanis Park.
bronze piece by Philip McCracken at the Post Office downtown.
“How Much Longer”
by Peregrine O’Gormley at Fourth Avenue and O Street
“The Leaking Vase” by
Andries Lukas Breedt at the N Street Park.
Others include: a painting on the south side of the Wilson Hotel on Eighth Street of city namesake Anne Curtis Bowman, who was wife of city founder Amos Bowman, by Swedish artist Lisa Liedgren.
Murals of townspeople, created by Bill Mitchell, appear in various places around town.
Even the garbage cans offer an artistic touch. The “salmon cans” downtown pay homage to 11 salmon canneries that operated here in the early 1900s.
Visit anacortesartscommission.com to see the location of
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permanent pieces and what’s new. Maps are at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center on Commercial Avenue.
Art events
• From 6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, the First Friday Gallery Walk features some of the best new art around Anacortes. Galleries and businesses host shows with special hours, artist receptions and refreshments. • The Fidalgo Island Quilters feature their stunning fabric art each April during the annual Quilt Walk. Businesses and shops downtown feature pieces from the quilters in their stores. Visit fidalgoislandquilters.com. • The Anacortes Arts Festival each August brings thousands of people to see the work of 250 traveling art vendors, a fine art show and musical acts. Visit anacortesartsfestival.com for details. • The third weekend of October, the Arts Commission hosts a 98221 Studio Tour, which allows visitors to stop by the studios of dozens of local artists, see demonstrations and enter to win prizes. Visit anacortesartscommission.com/98221-studio-tour. html.
Music
• A summer series of rock and blues concerts are held Friday nights at Seafarers’ Memorial Park in Cap Sante
File photo
the port of Anacortes offers live music each summer at Seafarers Memorial park.
Marina. Also in summer, a Wednesday jazz series brings even more live music to the area. Learn more at portofanacortes.com. • The Heart of Anacortes also hosts an outdoor summer music concert series. Visit theheartofanacortes.com. • The library hosts free jazz concerts on the second Sunday of each month. • Local pubs often offer live music.
Performing arts
• Anacortes Community Theatre presents several shows each year.
Visit acttheatre.com. • Fidalgo DanceWorks school holds classes for all ages throughout the year, as well as shows in June and December, in addition to the annual holiday ballet “The Nutcracker.”
Visit fidalgodanceworks. org.
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