Arts, Community, and Wellbeing

Creative State

In this episode, we look at community from three different perspectives: keeping communities strong during the pandemic, forging healthy communities by preserving cultural traditions, and creating community for Veterans through music-making. We speak with Governor's Arts & Heritage Award honoree Akuyea Karen Vargas and incoming Center for Washington Cultural Traditions Director Thomas Richardson. For the final segment, you’ll hear Gabriella Smith, our Vet Corps Navigator for the Wellness, Arts, and the Military Program, speak with John Selzler, founder of MusicWorks4Veterans.

Note on content: in our conversation with Akuyea, she shares a story in which she quotes a racial slur that was directed at a member of her family.

Akuyea Karen Vargas: Akuyea Karen Vargas is a 2021 Governor's Arts & Heritage Luminary Award honoree based on Bainbridge Island. Click here to learn about ERACE (and here to learn about the Kitsap ERACE Coalition) and click here to learn about the Living Arts Cultural Heritage project. Contact Kitsap ERACE at [e-mail].

Thomas Richardson: Thomas is the incoming director of the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions (CWCT). Click here to learn more about the CWCT.

John Selzler: John is an Army and Air Force Veteran, a musician and songwriter, and the founder of MusicWorks4Veterans. Click here to learn more about MusicWorks4Veterans.

Music: Icelandic Arpeggios – DivKid / Beyond – Patrick Patrikios