Jack Straw Cultural Center
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Jack Straw Cultural Center
@jackstraw.org
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Keeping art, culture, and heritage vital through sound since 1962.
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Jack Straw Speakers Bureau Series

Shankar Narayan: AI, Civil Rights, and the Fight for a Just Future

Thursday, February 12, 7pm
Jack Straw Cultural Center, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE
In person or streaming via YouTube or Facebook
FREE
White background. The Humanities Washington logo is towards the top. Below are several sticky notes on a wall. Below that is Shankar Narayan’s headshot in the lower right corner. Text to the right of the headshot is “Free Public Talk with Shankar Narayan: AI, Civil Rights, and the Fight for a Just Future.”
February 7, 2026 at 11:30 PM
jackstraw.org
Here's a powerful excerpt of a poem from #JackStrawWriter Josh Griffin.

Middle Fork (Excerpt)

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2024 #RecordingStudio #SeattleRecordingStudio #Seattle #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistoryMonth2026
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Josh Griffin. Text is “yes, I am what flying feels like – for I am free with nature.” 
February 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
jackstraw.org
Jack Straw's audio workshops with engineer Tom Stiles are the perfect opportunity to improve your studio skills or get that first introduction to the world of audio recording and editing.

To sign up or for more information, email [email protected].

#AudioWorkshop #RecordingStudio
Gold microphone with a black circular screen behind it, against a beige wall. A black border is around the edge. Yellow text in the center and at the bottom of the image is “Jack Straw Summer Audio Workshops, To sign up or for more information, email workshops@jackstraw.org”. Yellow text at the bottom of the black border is “Intro to Podcasting: Tuesday, February 17, 6-9pm, Microphones and Studio Recording: Thursday, February 19, 6-10pm.”
February 5, 2026 at 8:43 PM
jackstraw.org
The latest episode of our Artist of the Week #podcast is up now, featuring #JackStrawArtist William Chapman Nyaho. Listen at buff.ly/JgioPtb or subscribe via Apple Podcasts.

#BlackHistoryMonth
Textured white background. The lower half is black with a diagonal jagged line as separation. A gray outline of a microphone is on the middle right side, with text reading “Jack Straw Artist Of The Week.” A gray sound wave runs across the top of the image. Dark grey text above the soundwave is “William Chapman Nyaho.” In the center is William Chapman Nyaho’s album cover. Text is “William Chapman Nyaho, Kete, piano music of Africa and the African diaspora.” Between the bars is an orange and yellow bar with gray squiggly lines. Yellow text under the collage is “Silk Hat and Walking Cane.”
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
jackstraw.org
Here’s a beautiful poem from Franklin. Written with help from #poet and #TeachingArtist, Vicky Edmonds.

#JackStrawCulturalCenter #Poetry #AudioArts #ArtsIntegration #Education #RecordingStudio #Seattle #GeneseeHillElementarySchool
Black text on a white background. Text is a poem from Genesee Hill Elementary School student, Franklin. Text is “Deep inside I am like headphones canceling out all the hate. Now all I can hear is happiness.”
January 30, 2026 at 3:30 PM
jackstraw.org
Episode 9 of the 2025 season of SoundPages is up! Listen at jackstraw.org/podcasts/soundpages/ or subscribe via Apple Podcasts to hear #JackStrawWriter Mia Tong in conversation with #curator @alqalaqat.bsky.social.

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2025 #Podcast
A white vertical strip is on the left side. Grey text on the white strip is "Soundpages." In the middle is a headshot of Mia Tong. A black bar with yellow and white text is below. Text is “Mia Tong, The Parasol Maker.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:16 PM
jackstraw.org
Here's an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Michael Overa.

No Way Home (excerpt)

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2021 #RecordingStudio #SeattleRecordingStudio #Seattle
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Michael Overa. Text is “They are kids that look at "real punks" with something like fear and giddiness.”
January 23, 2026 at 6:31 PM
jackstraw.org
The latest episode of our Artist of the Week #podcast is up now, featuring #JackStrawArtist Christian Swenson. Listen at jackstraw.org/podcasts/artist-of-the-week/ or subscribe via Apple Podcasts.
Textured white background. The lower half is black with a diagonal jagged line as separation. A gray outline of a microphone is on the middle right side, with text reading “Jack Straw Artist Of The Week.” A gray sound wave runs across the top of the image. Dark grey text above the soundwave is “Christian Swenson.” In the center is a headshot of Christian Swenson with a valley in the background. Text is “Christian Swenson, Off-Road Vocals.” Between the bars is an orange and yellow bar with gray squiggly lines. Yellow text under the collage is “Good Walking.”
January 21, 2026 at 9:07 PM
jackstraw.org
Tara Youngborg | not a town but a landing page

January 23 – March 20, 2026

Call 206-634-0919 or email [email protected] to schedule a visit
Open during evening events at Jack Straw

Opening reception: Friday, January 23, 7pm
In person at Jack Straw Cultural Center

@tarayoungborg.bsky.social
Pixelated rendition of a tree against a blue sky.
January 20, 2026 at 7:37 PM
jackstraw.org
Isabel's poem is perfect if you need a peaceful start to your weekend. Written with help from #poet and #TeachingArtist Vicky Edmonds.

#JackStrawCulturalCenter #Poetry #ArtsIntegration #Education #ArtsEducation #RecordingStudio #Seattle #GeneseeHillElementarySchool
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt of a poem from Genesee Hill Elementary School student, Isabel. Text is "Deep inside I am like a violin playing softly to soothe my friends."
January 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
jackstraw.org
Thank you to King County 4culture and our other funders for giving us a lift! We recently completed an accessibility and safety upgrade project, working with ORA Architects and CAS Construction. As part of this, we installed a wheelchair lift connecting our main floor and mezzanine levels.
Black background. In the center is an elevator with the door open. Yellow text at the bottom is “Thank you for giving us a lift!”
January 13, 2026 at 8:34 PM
jackstraw.org
Jack Straw Speakers Bureau Series

Clare Johnson: A Life in Sticky Notes

Thursday, January 15, 7pm
Jack Straw Cultural Center, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE
In person or streaming via YouTube or Facebook
FREE
White background. The Humanities Washington logo is towards the top. Below are several sticky notes on a wall. Below that is Clare Johnson’s headshot in the lower right corner. Text to the right of the headshot is “Free Public Talk with Clare Johnson, A Life In Sticky Notes.”
January 9, 2026 at 8:01 PM
jackstraw.org
We’ve got an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Amontaine Aurore today.

Yes Ruby, There Is a Black Santa Claus, 1969 (Excerpt)

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2024 #RecordingStudio #SeattleRecordingStudio #Seattle
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Amontaine Aurore. Text is “I had never seen a Black Santa before ours, and always wanted to believe we started the trend.”
January 9, 2026 at 3:31 PM
jackstraw.org
Tara Tamaribuchi| Groove Bardos

Groove Bardos closes this Friday! If you're looking for a time to visit, stop by tonight during Unpoetry at Jack Straw.

Call 206-634-0919 or email [email protected] to schedule a visit
Jack Straw Cultural Center, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE
Dark room with a constructed figure laying in the middle. Lights and shapes are reflecting off of it.
January 7, 2026 at 11:31 PM
jackstraw.org
Announcing the 2026 Jack Straw Writers

This year's Writers Program Curator, Claudia Castro Luna, has selected the 2026 Jack Straw Writers: @npboisseau.bsky.social, Kevin Dean, Elissa Favero, @jeanferruzola.bsky.social, Rasheena Fountain, Gabriella Garcia, Maiah A Merino, @naihiwet.bsky.social,
Claudia Castro Luna standing against a pink and yellow wall. Several people sitting in a room with blue curtains. One person is standing in front of a computer. Two people sitting in a room. The person on the left is holding a laptop. A man sitting in a room with blue curtains and holding papers.
January 7, 2026 at 10:31 PM
jackstraw.org
The latest episode of our Artist of the Week #podcast is up now, featuring #JackStrawArtist Alex Keller. Listen at jackstraw.org/podcasts/artist-of-the-week/ or subscribe via Apple Podcasts.
Textured white background. The lower half is black with a diagonal jagged line as separation. A gray outline of a microphone is on the middle right side, with text reading “Jack Straw Artist Of The Week.” A gray sound wave runs across the top of the image. Dark grey text above the soundwave is “Alex Keller.” In the center are two terracotta-colored bars with yellow text. Text is “ The Four Hundred Boys, Alex Keller.” Between the bars is an orange and yellow bar with gray squiggly lines. Yellow text under the collage is “The Four Hundred Boys.”
January 7, 2026 at 9:10 PM
jackstraw.org
Remember that video we posted the other day? Here’s some bts of the recording session. Without access to #Braille, this piece, and others like it created through the #BlindYouthAudioProject, wouldn’t be possible.

#BrailleDay #BrailleDay2026 #Access #BlindYouth #RecordingStudio #Seattle
A pair of hands touching a piece of paper on a music stand. A person standing in front of a microphone and music stand while wearing headphones. Several people in a room. One student is standing in front of a keyboard. Two students standing in front of microphones and music stands and wearing headphones. One student is touching a piece of paper on the music stand.
January 4, 2026 at 8:01 PM
jackstraw.org
Here’s a beautiful poem from Saron to kick off the new year! Written with help from #poet and #TeachingArtist, Vicky Edmonds.

#JackStrawCulturalCenter #Poetry #AudioArts #ArtsIntegration #Education #RecordingStudio #Seattle #ConcordInternationalElementarySchool
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt of a poem from Concord Elementary School student, Saron. Text is “My dreams are like a lavender, dark sky with stars that guide people.”
January 2, 2026 at 11:10 PM
jackstraw.org
Could you tell which statements were true?

#BlindYouthAudioProject #BlindYouth #RecordingStudio #Seattle
January 2, 2026 at 9:52 PM
jackstraw.org
Happy New Year!

#NewYear2026
January 1, 2026 at 7:59 AM
jackstraw.org
Episode 8 of the 2025 season of SoundPages is up! Listen at jackstraw.org/podcasts/soundpages/ or subscribe via Apple Podcasts to hear #JackStrawWriter Mateo Bracken in conversation with #curator @alqalaqat.bsky.social

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2025 #Podcast
A white vertical strip is on the left side. Grey text on the white strip is "Soundpages." In the middle is Mateo Bracken standing in front of a microphone. A black bar with yellow and white text is below. Text is “Mateo Bracken, A Town Called Slaughter”.
December 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
jackstraw.org
Thank you for supporting our programs for artists of all ages!

Please consider a gift of any size to support this work in 2026: www.wagives.org/organization...
Black background with a collage of various different artists in the center. Yellow text at the bottom is "Thank you for supporting our programs for artists of all ages!"
December 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
jackstraw.org
The latest episode of our Artist of the Week #podcast is up now, featuring #JackStrawArtist Robert Francis Flor. Listen at buff.ly/MIFFjrS or subscribe via Apple Podcasts.
Textured white background. The lower half is black with a diagonal jagged line as separation. A gray outline of a microphone is on the middle right side, with text reading “Jack Straw Artist Of The Week.” A gray sound wave runs across the top of the image. Dark grey text above the soundwave is “Robert Francis Flor.” In the center are two fiddles. Yellow text under the collage is “The Christmas Snow Globe.”
December 24, 2025 at 11:34 PM
jackstraw.org
Looking for ways to mark the Winter Solstice? Check out Longest Night, a communally-minded, season-inspired Solstice party that brings light to the liminal space of the year’s darkest day.

RSVP at buff.ly/Jks8x3z
Several people seated on the ground in a dimly lit room. White text is "Longest Night, a communally-minded, season-inspired Solstice party".
December 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
jackstraw.org
Here’s a sample of #JackStrawWriter Sylvia Byrne Pollack’s work.

Word Work (Excerpt)

#JackStrawWriters #JackStrawWriters2019 #RecordingStudio #SeattleRecordingStudio #Seattle #Poetry
Black text on a white background. Text is an excerpt from #JackStrawWriter Sylvia Byrne Pollack. Text is “Your voice is important. When the day comes to let it fly, watch where it soars.”
December 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM