Current Exhibits
Step inside the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance Museum and be inspired by the creativity and history that make our community unique. Our galleries are alive with art, stories, and perspectives that invite you to linger, look closer, and see Olympia in new ways.
Remembering Exclusion, Honoring Community: Chinese Life in Olympia
February 27 — April 11, 2026
Each February marks the anniversary of Olympia’s Chinese exclusion event and reminds us of the broader season of anti-Chinese organizing across the Pacific Northwest in 1885-1886. Through this six-panel exhibit, we honor the Chinese and Chinese American communities who live here now, whose presence reminds us that history is marked both by loss and by renewal.
you are here
January 23 – December 2026
Against the backdrop of hand-painted maps by local muralist Fern Tallos, You Are Here explores Olympia at two scales: From the history at the intersection of State Avenue and Columbia Street to the broader stories of the South Puget Sound which have shaped Olympia over time.
Light in the Dark
November 14, 2025 – April 14, 2026
This winter, we invite you to step inside Light in the Dark, an exhibit celebrating illuminated artwork and the story of how electric light transformed Olympia’s streets. From handcrafted wooden lamps to glowing creatures of the Procession, each piece explores how light guides, gathers, and grounds us—especially in the darkest months of the Pacific Northwest.
Our town through Sylvester’s Windows
Our South Gallery, the museum’s largest exhibition space, hosts Our Town Through Sylvester’s Windows. This remarkable collection of eight paintings captures Sylvester Park and the heart of Olympia from the early 1800s through 2000, showing how city streets have evolved while the park remains a beloved gathering place. Alongside the art, discover stories of local traditions, from Capital Lakefair to the lively Pagan Frolic of 1935.
Power of place
In the North Gallery, explore a dynamic blend of past and present: works by seven regional artists are thoughtfully paired with a fascinating collection of historical postcards. Featured artists include Doyle Fanning, Kathy Gore Fuss, Mimi Williams, Sherry Buckner, Don Freas, Joe Seymour, and Tom Anderson. This exhibit was curated by Jonathan Happ, gallery director at Childhood’s End Gallery.
A special thanks to the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum for supporting this exhibit. Together, we’ve created a space that celebrates creativity, community, and connection.