Redmond marked more than a grand opening on December 5. It marked the start of a cultural awakening. The debut of the Dry Canyon Community Art Center has turned the historic Rogers and Lynch building at 405 SW 6th Street into a lively hub for creativity, connection, and learning.
What began as a bold idea held by a handful of volunteers has grown into an association of more than 200 artists. Their vision moved forward with the help of an angel investor and months of volunteer renovation. New flooring, lighting, electrical work, and a refined gallery space now fill a building that once sat quiet.
“This started as a dream that matured over years,” said Krystal Allen, a Dry Canyon Arts Association volunteer. “Since August we have worked nonstop to build this. And it is only the beginning.”
The center now offers 3,000 square feet of creative space that includes three galleries, a curated gift shop, and multiple classrooms. Plans call for another 1,500 square feet of studios within the next 18 months. Large windows along SW 6th Street provide steady visibility and invite passersby into an always changing view of the city’s artistic life.
The mission is broad and rooted in access. Established artists, newcomers, students, and veterans all find room to participate. Programs like Jumpstart Art, which raised 76,000 dollars last year to bring professional art instruction to Redmond’s K–6 classrooms, show how central education is to the center’s purpose. “We want every child to have access to art,” Allen said. “It shapes lives. It shaped mine.”
Support from local partners has been essential.
“Without sponsors, we would not be here,” said Mel Archer, board chair. “Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s stepped in early by giving us gallery space in their office. That visibility helped people understand that Redmond is home to remarkable artists. It set the stage for what you see today.”
For Cascade Hasson, the relationship reflects more than sponsorship. It reflects a belief in what art can do for a city.
“Art is the heartbeat of a great place,” said Brandon Cook-Bostick, a broker at Cascade Hasson. “When you invest in local artists, you invest in identity, pride, and place. Supporting this center is part of supporting Redmond’s future, and we are proud to stand with the people who made it possible.”
Tara Farstvedt, managing principal broker, said the partnership aligns with the firm’s core mission. “The Dry Canyon Community Art Center lifts Redmond in a meaningful way. Art brings people together. It inspires, it educates, and it strengthens the communities we serve. Being part of that progress matters to us.”
On opening night, visitors moved through galleries filled with sculpture, vivid paintings, textiles, and student work. The shared feeling was clear. The center is not only a new building. It is proof of what a community can achieve through passion, partnership, and purpose.
For Redmond, this is the start of a new chapter.
DryCanyonArtsCenter.org
