Schack Art Center | Everett

Schack Art Center is a prominent visual arts institution located in downtown Everett, Washington, known for its commitment to promoting contemporary art, fostering community creativity, and supporting regional artists. Established originally in 1974 as the Arts Council of Snohomish County, the center was renamed in 2009 to honor John and Idamae Schack, whose philanthropic efforts significantly contributed to the growth of the local arts community. Over the decades, the Schack Art Center has evolved into a dynamic cultural hub that serves artists and the public through exhibitions, education, workshops, and community engagement.

Location and Facilities

The center is situated at 2921 Hoyt Avenue in Everett, housed in a spacious facility designed to accommodate a range of visual arts activities. Its building features multiple galleries, artist studios, classrooms, and a unique glassblowing hot shop. The layout includes two primary exhibition spaces: the Main Gallery and the Mezzanine Gallery, both dedicated to showcasing rotating contemporary art exhibitions with a strong emphasis on diversity, social issues, and innovative media.

Exhibitions and Galleries

Schack Art Center regularly hosts curated exhibitions that highlight regional, national, and international artists working across various mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, glass art, and mixed media. These exhibitions often explore themes around cultural identity, social justice, environmental issues, and experimental art forms. The center’s galleries provide free public access, encouraging broad community participation and art appreciation.

One of the center’s signature features is its public glassblowing hot shop, the only one north of Seattle. Visitors can observe live glassblowing demonstrations by skilled artists, offering an interactive and educational experience that connects audiences with the creative process behind glass art.

Education and Classes

Schack Art Center places strong emphasis on education, offering a wide variety of classes and workshops designed for all age groups and skill levels. These programs aim to nurture creativity and provide hands-on experience with diverse artistic techniques. Classes are conducted in well-equipped studios dedicated to different disciplines, including:

Glass Arts: Glassblowing, glass float making, and kiln-formed glass.

Metalsmithing: Silversmithing, enameling, and jewelry making.

Painting and Drawing: Watercolor, acrylics, mixed media.

Printmaking and Photography: Various traditional and contemporary techniques.

Lapidary Arts: Stone cutting and polishing.

Special programs such as "Make It Now" provide drop-in opportunities for youth and adults to engage in creative projects like glass float making. There are also free monthly "Teen Night" sessions where local teens can gather for collaborative art-making under the guidance of professional artists. The center additionally supports homeschool groups with tailored art days and offers summer camps for children and teenagers to explore art in an immersive setting.

Community Engagement

The Schack Art Center is deeply embedded in the Everett community, prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility. It collaborates with local schools to provide K–12 educational outreach, including teacher workshops, gallery tours, and loaning art kits to classrooms. These initiatives foster early engagement with the arts and support arts integration in school curricula.

The center also offers scholarships, such as the Susan Jane Russell College Scholarship, to encourage young artists to pursue higher education in visual arts. Events like “Schacktoberfest” celebrate the fall season with artist showcases, glass pumpkin displays, and family-friendly activities, strengthening community ties and cultural celebration.

Gallery Store

Supporting local artists is a vital component of Schack’s mission, and the Gallery Store provides a retail space where visitors can purchase handcrafted artwork created by over 300 Pacific Northwest artists. Items include jewelry, ceramics, textiles, prints, and glass art. This store serves as both an economic platform for artists and a place for visitors to acquire unique, locally made art pieces.

Operational Details

The Schack Art Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM, closing on Mondays and major holidays. Admission to the galleries is free, enhancing accessibility for all visitors. The center’s location in downtown Everett makes it a convenient cultural destination for both locals and tourists.

Overall Significance

The Schack Art Center stands out as a vibrant and inclusive space where art, education, and community converge. Its combination of high-quality exhibitions, diverse educational programming, and artist support creates a thriving environment for creative expression in the Pacific Northwest. By fostering dialogue through art and offering hands-on learning experiences, the center enriches the cultural fabric of Everett while nurturing the talents of emerging and established artists alike.