SPOKANE, Wash. – As ArtFest celebrates its 40th year in Spokane, the event is prioritizing both art and safety. Enhanced security measures, including fencing and on-site staff, are ensuring artists can focus on their creativity.
Marit Fischer, Chief Marketing Officer at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, highlighted the importance of security. “Security was an issue when we were at Coeur d’Alene Park. It was just vast. It was really hard to put a perimeter around the art and keep it safe overnight,” she said. With the event now at the museum, they can “put up a fence” and hire additional security to keep everything safe, Fischer added.
This peace of mind is especially meaningful for artists like Megan Perkins. Having attended ArtFest for years as a visitor, she now participates as an exhibitor. “It was a really big honor when I finally got to attend as an exhibitor after so many years of coming with friends,” Perkins said.
Perkins is one of more than 75 artists showcasing their work, emphasizing the importance of connection over sales. “We’re all in this together. We’re here to try to make this work. We’re here to have a good time. We’re here to support each other,” she stated.
For Perkins, seeing familiar faces and hearing stories from returning visitors makes the effort worthwhile. “Even though I feel like I might be shouting into the void online—on Facebook, on Instagram—there are people hearing it, and this is when they talk back,” she said, emphasizing the value of real-world interactions.
ArtFest continues to offer Spokane a lasting blend of security, tradition, and a shared love of local creativity.
