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Arts Newsletter June|July 2024


The Orchard on 6th - FCC Tacoma


From Resident Artist Walker Sherman

I'm excited to be sharing my songs with thousands of Tacomans at Brew53, The 253's beer and music festival! I will be filling one of only three music spots and feel extremely honored!



Up next, my services have been retained by the Tehaleh housing community to add a series of music programming to their already excellent line up of community events. We will be working on a food truck festival with multiple bands, a mid summer outdoor concerts, a songwriters in the round series for fall and a Christmas program for winter.


This last opportunity grew from a simple house concert, singing to a local music lover's friend in their backyard.


Sound fun? Have a backyard and some friends who appreciate a good story and a song? Let's hang out!

-Walker


From Resident Artist Janelle Gordon

Creative Transformational Guide. As a mother of two and a multi-certified professional in yoga, doula support, Reiki, life coaching, fitness instruction, chronic disease health education, CPR + AED, and art therapy, Janelle is deeply committed to helping clients unlock their inner power. Through a blend of meditation, art, yoga, and other creative practices, she guides clients toward self-empowerment and healing."YOU ARE THE FULL CIRCLE. IT ALL BEGINS WITH YOU!"

Recent, Ongoing & Future Endeavors:

  • Private yoga lessons, both online & in person at “The Orchard on 6th”

  • Community Yin Yoga & Sound bath every Thursday at “The Orchard on 6th” from 6-7pm

  • Yin Yoga, Sound Baths, additional fitness classes and wellness coaching at the local Morgan YMCA

  • Founder & Facilitator of The Full Circle, a support group for mothers that meets every 1st & 3rd Tuesday.

  • Developing & Facilitating 2 Women’s Wellness Retreats for August and October in GA.

  • Solo showcase, which will include painting, photography and jewelry.




A fun Picture of some of our Hand Bell Choir members polishing the bells

Our Community-painted Tryptic Mural (Designed by Mindy Barker) is behind the bell choir! You can find Greeting cards with the same design at our greeting table that are available for donation or free if needed. These are great ways to help share our work with others!

"We are Nourishing: the individual lives that we interact with through lessons, workshops, and mentorship."

From our Mission



Resident Artist Nathaniel Dybevik

Hey Church Family,

I wanted to give you all a quick update on what's been going on and share some exciting plans for the summer. First off, how cool is it that we finally have a name for the center: The Orchard on 6th? Love it!


This past month has been busy and awesome. I played piano at two memorial services here, which was an honor, really meaningful. And, I had a blast at my piano recital where I debuted an original boogie-woogie piece dedicated to Stanley, my girlfriend's golden Labrador. It was such a fun night, and I appreciate everyone who came out to support.


On another note, I'm gearing up for a band tryout. If I make it in, I'll be playing eight shows this summer across various locations. The shows would be free, hosted by the city in parks around the region. Fingers crossed! I'll keep you posted on how that goes.


With summer rolling in, my piano lessons are winding down, and I'm pumped to travel a bit. Orcas Island is on the list, and I'll be tuning pianos all over the region. Can't wait for this mix of work and travel!


Big news: Tori and I have finally wrapped up the Pew Wall after months of planning and crafting, just in time for the open house. We can't wait for you all to check it out!


Shoutout to Pat Riley – thanks to him, I've got a piano damper project underway! I'll be sharing the process via video, so stay tuned for that.


Besides all this, I'll be doing some yard work to get ready for summer and getting our bus out of hibernation for some epic adventures.


Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Looking forward to sharing more updates with you soon!



Resident Artist Tori Fields

All of my creative energies are now being focused on a huge and exciting project I've been invited to create for Spaceworks Tacoma's subprogram Artscapes. Artscapes connects local visual artists with spaces and places to install artwork and paint murals around the city. I applied for, and was accepted into their roster of artists several months ago, and have just received my location assignment and timeline. I will be creating a large installation for one of the Woolworth Windows in downtown Tacoma in early 2025. My window is on the corner of Broadway and 11th and I could not be more thrilled, honored, and focused on this opportunity!



Education Wing Stairway Design and Construction Update:

The main construction on the new stairwell design is complete thanks to Nate's building skills! Some final touch-ups and lighting is all that remains to finally realize Tori's vision for the space. We hope that the mural and 'pew wall' is inviting and delighting for the artists and guests of The Orchard on 6th! Please come and see it along with the beautiful mural we recently painted in the stairway!











Resident Artist Mindy Barker

Current projects:

On June 14th, the newly refurbished Tropical Reef Aquarium—which includes my atrium installation—opened to the public the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. I also finished a 30ʼ x 8ʼ mural at a private residence in Tracyton, WA., created by using a composite of eight different cave painting visual references. For a surprise added touch, I used my clientʼs hands as stencils on the wall! A completed mural photo is attached. Currently, Iʼm designing a 17ʼ X 2ʼ mural for the Lakewood Historical Museum that depicts the history of Lakewood.




Resident Artist Adam Martin

Stars 4 Peace (a newly minted not for profit 501-C3 organization) is happy to announce its partnership with the 1st Annual “Paws for Pride” at the Tacoma Pride Festival July 13th 2024, Then our annual participation at “Music and Heart” on Wright Park August 10th 2024 and an ongoing fundraising platform for Youth and Women in need called “The Wall”



A Note from our Director

We are thrilled to announce the renaming of our beloved arts organization to "The Orchard on 6th." This new name embodies our commitment to growth, creativity, and community. Over several months, guided by our dedicated steering committee and led by our pastoral intern Justin, we embarked on a transformative journey of exploration and collaboration. Our Resident Artists from diverse backgrounds contributed their voices, shaping a vision that resonates with our mission and values. Through spirited discussions and thoughtful deliberations, we achieved unanimous consensus on "The Orchard on 6th," a name that reflects both our rootedness in creativity and our aspiration to nurture artistic blossoms in our community with room to grow and expand as our mission and reach evolves. We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this enriching process, and we look forward to continuing to cultivate a vibrant artistic orchard together on 6th Avenue in in our beloved town of Tacoma. (Here’s a silly picture I thought you would all enjoy of us as we met for our monthly Stardust Dinner for the Artists and Staff the setting is sometime in a future world with Justin in the center as this was his last official meal with us as he transitions back to Chicago!) ~ Ben


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