Cultural Activities & Galleries

For ten thousand years, a Nation of people lived and prospered on the lands now know as the Olympic Peninsula in the State of Washington.  These strong people of the S'Klallam Tribes had a system of governance, engaged in commerce, managed natural and human resources, and exercised power over their homelands.  The S'Klallams created a rich culture of art, song, spirituality, traditional knowledge and social structure.

Northwest Native Expressions Art Gallery offers traditional and contemporary art forms created by Northwest artisans. The gallery's collections characterize the high quality craftsmanship that represents the unique forms of Northwest Native American art, culture, and history. Northwest Native Expressions offers artwork in several mediums including limited edition lithographs, masks, clothing, textiles, sculptures, jewelry, drums, artifacts, handcrafts, woven baskets, plaques, wooden boxes, framed prints and music as well as gift and souvenir items.

Enroll in a two- to five-day workshops focusing on subjects such as: glass blowing, jewelry making, metal sculpting, ceramics and pottery, weaving, painting, bronze casting, light fixtures, photography, art welding and many more! Visit the website for more information.

Judy Courtwright Paintings

The Olympic Peninsula Gateway Visitor Center will open a new Art exhibit to ring in this New Year opening for viewing on January 4th.  In this time of short, sometimes gray days a little color is what the doctor ordered.  We have the opportunity to bring a bright pallet to life with a display of sea and landscapes by local Port Hadlock artist, Judy Courtwright. 

The Olympic Peninsula is home to many tribes of native people, including the Quinault , Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Elwha Klallam and Jamestown S'Klallam. From culinary influence, native art, traditional song, dance and festivals, there are many ways to experience our wonderful native cultures. Each Tribal community offers places and/or activities for respectful visitors. The Makah Museum in Neah Bay is a world-class cultural center, with many objects of Makah art available in the gift shop. There are demonstrations of carving and basket making nearly every day.

The Makah Cultural and Research Center is world famous. Many of the items in the museum are from the "Ozette Dig," which yielded Makah artifacts from a village partially buried in a mudslide in the 1500s. The Ozette archeological collection is the largest pre-contact Northwest Coast Indian collection in the country. Whaling, sealing and fishing gear, basketry and replicas of a 60-foot cedar longhouse and oceangoing canoes are displayed. The center also houses the Makah language program, working to preserve and tech Makah language and culture.

1880 Bay View
Neah Bay, WA 98357

Located in the Landing Mall in downtown Port Angeles by the ferry terminals, the Center has fascinating interactive interpretive exhibits on display year-round. Call for hours.

115 E. Railroad Ave.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
tel: 360-457-6622

The Feiro Marine Life Center contains numerous aquaria, wet tables and exhibits that focus on the near shore habitats and marine organisms of the northern Olympic Peninsula. Additionally, the popular touch tank offers visitors the chance to meet local marine life up close and personal. Special tours can be arranged by calling the center.

Open 7 days per week from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Open weekends during winter months or anytime by special arrangement and calling ahead.

Port Angeles City Pier
tel: 360-417-6254

The Museum in the restored Carnegie Library building features a permanent exhibit telling the story of Clallam County through the lives of its pioneers through the years. Changing exhibits are located on the first floor. Handicap accessible. A museum annex is located in the historic Federal Building at First and Oak.

Museum at the Carnegie
207 S. Lincoln St.
Port Angeles, WA 98382
tel: 360-452-2662

Email: artifact@olypen.com