A MESSAGE FROM THE CARPENTER: JUSTIN LA GRA
On days in our beautiful PNW—and more specifically, our little slice of heaven in the southern tip of the Sound—I get such a rush of excitement seeing what we as a team are building for ourselves and our fellow Olympians. With the overhead door raised tall, and with our doors as open as our hearts and arms, our little dream is surely coming to fruition. We are loving the support we are receiving from this community. Personally, I’m so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful creation; the team, our group of artists, makers, creatives, musicians, and the just lovely humans that pass through are making The Carpenter’s House what it was designed to become. Our simple walls hold a tremendous amount of love, and it pours out into our streets, neighborhoods, community, and state. Love y’all and I hope you had a wonderful Easter. He is risen!
APRIL’S FEATURED ARTIST
On Friday, April 17, The Carpenter’s House will once again open its doors for our monthly Artist Showcase. It’s an evening designed for slowing down, connecting, and immersing yourself in the rhythm of art, music, and community.
This is more than a traditional gallery night. It’s an experience that engages all the senses. Live music fills the space, conversations unfold naturally between guests, and a welcoming atmosphere invites you to settle in with a drink in hand while exploring the work displayed throughout the room. Each piece on the walls encourages you to pause, observe, and engage a little more deeply.
This month, we are proud to feature mixed media artist Steven Borelli. Borelli’s work carries a distinct energy, an interplay of color, form, and movement that feels spontaneous yet intentional. His pieces often feel like moments captured mid-process, where intuition leads and meaning reveals itself over time.
Working across digital art, photography, and illustration, Borelli approaches each creation as an evolving composition. His process is deeply intuitive, allowing each piece to emerge as a layered expression of impulse, experience, and exploration. Rather than directing the viewer toward a single interpretation, his work opens space for individual discovery.
The evening will also feature live musical performances by Vince Brown and Jessica Blinn, adding another layer of atmosphere to complement the visual experience.
We invite you to join us on April 17, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 PM at 212 Legion Way SW in Olympia, WA. Come experience the art, meet the artist, and see what unfolds in a space where creativity, sound, and community come together.
WHERE ARE MET THE TABLE: INSIDE SUNDAY BEST
Sunday, March 22nd felt like one of those days you wish you could bottle up and keep.
Sunday Best at The Carpenter’s House came together exactly how we imagined it: elevated, intentional, and full of people who genuinely appreciate art, food, and connection. From the moment guests walked in, there was this quiet buzz… like everyone knew they were stepping into something a little different.
The space was filled with nearly 100 small works from local and regional artists, each piece adding its own voice to the room. Watching people move through the gallery—pausing, leaning in, starting conversations with strangers over a shared favorite piece—that’s exactly why we do this.
Brunch was an experience all on its own. Lela Cross created a five-course menu that felt thoughtful and effortless at the same time, while Ellen and Gillian brought in a mimosa and cocktail pairing that elevated the entire morning. It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t loud; it was one of those rare moments where people actually stayed present.
One of the most special parts of the day was the early access to the silent auction. Guests had the first opportunity to connect with the work, place bids, and really take their time with the collection before doors opened to the public. You could feel the excitement building as pieces started finding their future homes.
We want to give a special thank you to Coalescence Event Services for helping to bring everything together so seamlessly behind the scenes. Your support played a big role in creating the kind of atmosphere that allowed the whole experience to flow the way it did.
More than anything, it was the people. Artists, collectors, friends, and new faces all in one room, supporting something local and meaningful. That’s what made Sunday Best the success it truly was.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up, supported the artists, and helped create such a beautiful atmosphere. This is exactly the kind of community we’re building, and we’re just getting started. View the Sunday Best Photo Gallery Here.
BUILT ON PEOPLE: CHRIS RUIZ
If you’ve ever walked through The Carpenter’s House and felt like everything just flows the way it should, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the work of Chris Ruiz without even realizing it.
Chris is our General Manager and the person you’ll most likely meet when you walk through the doors of the gallery. He welcomes people in, answers questions, helps artists set up, and makes sure both the space and the experience feel grounded from start to finish.
What makes Chris so valuable isn’t just that he keeps things organized, it’s how he views the bigger picture. The Carpenter’s House is more than a venue. It’s a space for artists to be seen, for conversations to happen naturally, and for community to form in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Chris plays a huge role in making that possible.
On any given day, he’s coordinating with artists to ensure their work is displayed in a way that honors it. He’s helping create opportunities for them not just to show their art, but to sell it and connect with people who genuinely appreciate what they’ve created. He understands that for many artists, these moments matter, and he treats them with a great level of care.
Beyond the gallery walls, Chris is constantly building relationships within the community. Whether it’s connecting with local business owners, vendors, or guests who walk in for the first time, he has a way of making people feel comfortable and welcomed. Those connections don’t just benefit the space, they strengthen the network of people who make Olympia what it is.
What stands out most about Chris is that he doesn’t operate in the spotlight, but his impact is felt everywhere. The smooth events, the thoughtful interactions, the way artists feel supported, and the sense that The Carpenter’s House is more than just a location, it’s an experience. It’s all part of something he helps create behind the scenes.
If you truly want to thank him, we’ve heard he has a bit of a sweet tooth, and a good cup of tea never goes unnoticed. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot, just like the work he does every day.
We’re grateful for the way he shows up, the consistency he brings, and the care he puts into both people and process. If you’ve visited the gallery, chances are Chris has already helped shape your experience. And if you haven’t yet, he’ll be one of the first faces to welcome you in when you do.
Learn About His Production Company, Tahoma Studios
WHEN ART FINDS ITS PLACE
There’s a certain kind of magic that happens at The Carpenter’s House—not just in the making of art, but in the moment it meets the person it was meant for. Each event gives space for those connections to unfold naturally; pieces don’t just hang on walls, they become part of someone’s story.
At our recent Sunday Best event, we witnessed two moments that captured that spirit in different but equally meaningful ways.
Artist Becky Bump shared a whimsical gnome piece that immediately drew attention throughout the day. Its character and charm resonated with visitors, and it ultimately found its home with the City of Lacey’s Mayor, Andy Ryder, and his wife, Becci Ryder. With their family’s small shop embracing a gnome-inspired theme, the connection felt natural, like the piece was simply waiting for the right environment to continue its story.
In another corner of the event, artist Talia Mazzara presented one of her layered tactile works, an intricate composition built from acrylic, resin, fiber, and modeling paste. The depth and texture of the piece invited a closer look, revealing new details from every angle. It was selected by a homeowner who had recently completed a remodel and was searching for something meaningful to complete an accent wall in their space. The artwork didn’t just decorate the room, it helped define it.
These moments reflect what makes gatherings like Sunday Best so special. Each piece is created with intention, and each person who walks through the doors brings their own vision, taste, and story. When those align, something meaningful happens. Art steps beyond the studio and becomes part of everyday life.
For us, it’s a reminder that the value of art isn’t only in how it’s displayed in a gallery, but in how it lives once it leaves.
BY & FOR CARPENTERS
At The Carpenter’s House, we offer quality lumber you can rely on for your next project. Our selection is chosen with consistency, durability, and usability in mind. Whether you’re building, crafting, or creating, you’re starting with materials you can trust.
We keep it simple: good wood, ready to be used. If you’re looking for dependable lumber without the guesswork, stop in and see what we have available.
TAKE PART IN WHAT WE’RE BUILDING
The Carpenter’s House Event Sponsorship Program will be launching soon, creating an exciting opportunity for local businesses to step into a space where art, community, and culture naturally come together.
Being present as a sponsor offers more than visibility, it aligns your brand with a creative environment that attracts artists, entrepreneurs, professionals, and an audience that values meaningful experiences. It’s a chance to be connected to a growing hub within the Olympia arts community while supporting programming that brings people together.
Sponsorships are integrated into the event experience in a thoughtful way, with benefits that may include brand visibility, mentions, on-site presence, and inclusion in event materials. Each partnership is designed to complement the event while maintaining the integrity and intention behind The Carpenter’s House.
For businesses looking to be part of something creative, community-driven, and locally rooted, this program offers a way to show up, support the arts, and be seen in the right environment. More details will be released soon, but if you have questions now, don’t hesitate to email us at hello@thecarpenters.house.