Welcome to “In the Audience”
Originally published on The JOLT News on January 30th, 2025
Hello JOLT readers,
My name is Rachel Benton and I am beyond excited to be a part of this incredible news platform that connects us all in Thurston County. As a frequent performance attendee and admirer of all the arts, I am thrilled to invite you to join me “In the Audience” each week.
Throughout this column, I will:
Tell you about upcoming arts events in Thurston County.
Share conversations with artists, volunteers and others who help bring art to us.
Review local productions, classes and experiences.
Highlight the arts programs in our schools.
Living here for over a decade, I have discovered that what makes Thurston County so charming is its vibrant artists and their creations. What allows us all to thrive in the midst of a crazy world is the wide availability of arts all around us.
As locals, we have the opportunity to do things like stroll through the farmer’s market and gaze upon local creations as we walk by, often listening to live music throughout the experience.
We enjoy the murals canvased across downtown Olympia and savor the opportunities to explore local art galleries. When we eat at local restaurants, we sometimes get to listen to live music as we sip on our beverages and savor our meals.
On special occasions, we buy tickets to local productions and performances. Some of us even enrich our daily lives by participating in music, theatre, writing, pottery, painting and other art programs in the area. Our lives are often lived in the audience of our community.
To be in the audience means to have an open mind, an eager spirit, and a willingness to learn something new. When we pause and choose to engage in the arts and be present in the audience, we surrender our time but gain a greater appreciation for life.
Spending time in the audience allows us to see the world from a new perspective and sometimes escape into our imaginations. Through our imagination and inspiration, we are unlimited and can continue to make the world a brighter place together.
I hope you will join me In the Audience.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/welcome-to-in-the-audience,18596?