Pulling artists and students from throughout the region, Moshier Art Center is known as one of the most accessible ceramic art centers in the Puget Sound area. Walking into Moshier Art Center, you will see preschool-age children playing with clay in one room and a master ceramic artist at the wheel in another. Offering classes and studio space to artists of all ages and skill levels, the Moshier Art Center is beloved by the community of artists it supports.
From community club to art center
William Moshier, a resident of the Shorewood neighborhood and a former King County Commissioner, played an active role in the development of Moshier Park, which included a community club building, and was named in his honor in 1958.
In 1962, King County established the first county arts center and year-round arts program in the former community club. Between 1962 and 1972, the community club was redesigned to accommodate pottery and jewelry programs. Originally a multipurpose facility, the center offered art classes as well as other recreational programming such as cooking classes and karate.
The clay program began in the 1970s. A decade later, jewelry programs were added. When Burien incorporated as a city in 1993, King County transferred ownership of the park and art center to the City of Burien. With no resources to keep the art center going, students and teachers advocated with the Burien City Council to make it an arts facility. In 1999, staff was hired to transform the community center into a full service art center.
Moshier offers top-notch facility and supportive community
Today, students from beginner to advanced skill levels participate in programs in a fully-equipped ceramics studio setting. The art center offers programs for all ages, including affordable classes and workshops in ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, and much more. 24-hour access studio spaces for artists, and classes for adults and teens with special needs are also available.
“Moshier is such a hidden gem in the south end. It offers room to move and create art,” says Pam Fredback, longtime Moshier student and studio artist. “The community at Moshier is family.”
This is a community that also gives back. Every year, the Moshier students donate their pottery to the Empty Bowls fundraiser, which raises awareness and money for our local food banks. This event. along with the annual pottery sale, help foster that sense of community.
“Being among other students has greatly increased the level of idea and process exchanges,” says Hilva Novota, a Moshier student since the 1970s and manager of the annual pottery sale. “I cherish the help I received in raising children, how to take care of my first cat, and potluck recipes galore. Thank you, Moshier!”
To learn more about upcoming classes at the Moshier Art Center, visit the Moshier Art Center web page.
