Bellevue, WA—In celebration of Pratt Fine Arts Center's 40th anniversary, Bellevue Arts Museum will be hosting the commemorative exhibition Making our Mark: Art by Pratt Teaching Artists. The exhibition features work from over 250 Pratt teaching artists throughout the organization's influential history. Founded in 1976 to provide high-quality visual arts education in Seattle's Central Area—one of the city's most economically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods—Pratt has been instrumental in shaping the arts landscape of the Pacific Northwest. 

As a community based organization, the core of Pratt's mission is the belief that art should be accessible to all. Offering low-cost and free classes in a variety of mediums including glass, sculpture, jewelry, wood, drawing, painting, and printmaking, Pratt gives many students their first exposure to making art. Over a thousand artists have taught at Pratt since its creation, sharing their knowledge of these diverse media with thousands more students. Making our Mark celebrates the lasting legacy of these teachers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

"Making our Mark will be Bellevue Arts Museum's most ambitious group show to date with 292 works of art on display." Said Michael Monroe, Director Emeritus of Bellevue Arts Museum and the exhibition's curator. "Pratt Fine Arts Center has been home to some of the finest artists in our region and this will be an extraordinary demonstration of their collective talent." 

"The immense value of the contributions made by the artists showcased in this exhibition is palpable in today's vibrant arts landscape in the Pacific Northwest" said Steve Galatro, Pratt's Executive Director. "Making our Mark is a tribute to that legacy, and we hope it serves as inspiration to the future generations of artists in the region." 

Many of the teaching artists represented in the exhibition will be familiar to Bellevue Arts Museum audiences. Notable Northwest artists including Preston Singletary, Tip Toland, Cappy Thompson, and Jana Brevick have all been included in group and solo exhibitions at BAM. Most recently, several artists to be included in Making our Mark were featured in BAM Biennial 2016: Metalmorphosis, including Maria Phillips and Nancy Wordon, respective recipients of the Award of Excellence and People's Choice Awards. 

Making our Mark: Art by Pratt Teaching Artists is organized by Bellevue Arts Museum and curated by BAM’s Director Emeritus Michael Monroe. 

ABOUT PRATT FINE ARTS CENTER
Founded in 1976 to provide high-quality visual arts education, Pratt serves as a lasting tribute to Edwin T. Pratt, who relentlessly championed open and equal access to educational and housing opportunities for all Seattle residents. Pratt honors his memory by making art education accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Pratt Fine Arts Center is the only facility in the Northwest where absolute beginners and established professional artists work side-by-side creating art in glass, sculpture, jewelry and metalsmithing, painting, drawing, and printmaking. Pratt provides affordable studios with unparalleled state-of-the-art equipment and professional artist instruction to create an environment where students learn, experiment, and create. pratt.org. 

ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM
Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest for experiencing art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications featuring regional, national, and international artists. bellevuearts.org. 

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