Gig Harbor is home to a variety of talented artists whose work is displayed and sold locally and internationally. From painting and jewelry to pottery and sculpture, GigHarbor is proud of the artists who live and work in this community.
Many artists display their work at the First Saturday Art Walk sponsored by the downtown art galleries. Through out the year the Art Walk is a great place to find art for your home or that perfect gift. Follow the Art Walk map and visit all galleries to be eligible for a monthly art prize valued at $100.
Peninsula Art League is the leading arts organization in the community with a mission that is focused on providing educational arts programs for its members and the community. Each year PAL puts on the amazing Gig Harbor Summer Arts Fair drawing 100’s of artists and thousands of visitors. In addition PAL does the annual Juried Arts Show in the spring.
SalmonChanted Harbor is another very successful art event which is a
collaboratin of many local groups and organizations including the downtown gallery association, Harbor WildWatch, the Peninsula Art League, Hands on Art, the Waterfront Retail and Restaurant Association and the City of Gig Harbor. SalmonChanted Harbor occurs every two years and brings 14 hand made salmon sculptures to the community in a 6-month display followed by an auction.
The City of Gig Harbor Arts Commission is a city funded group whose mission includes providing local groups annual grants for art related activities and purchasing public art for the community. In addition the Arts Commision partners with the Peninsula Art League on summer Plein Air Art in the Park. Each Wednesday in the summer artists are encouraged to practice with a live figure provided at Skansie Brothers Park.
Two holiday art fairs occur annually in GigHarbor and provide residents and visitors a huge variety of shopping options. TIDEFEST is put on each year on the first weekend of December by Gig Harbor High School and features high end artists who jurry for the show. WINTERFEST is annually Thanksgiving weekend at PeninsulaHigh School and includes arts and crafts vendors from around the Northwest.
The Gig Harbor Quilt Festival is an annual fall tradition in Gig Harbor
featuring the wonderful art of fabric and quilting all in an event that raises money for breast cancer charities. This event includes quilt classes, and the annual Quilt Walk in downtown Gig Harbor.