OLYMPIA – The Washington State Governor’s Mansion Foundation (GMF) hosted an art reception in response to this year’s theme for Black History month “African Americans and the Arts”, in February.

The sold-out event featured a series of portraits entitled Iconic Black Women. painted by Hiawatha D. The series featured four famous Washington Black women – Dr. Mona Lake Jones, Poet Laureate for King County and Seattle; Dr. Maxine Mimms, who established the Tacoma campus of Evergreen State College and the Maxine Mimms Academy; Patricia Dziko, founder of the Technology Access Foundation and the late DeCharlene Williams, founder of the Central Area Chamber of Commerce and successful entrepreneur. During the event Hiawatha D. spoke about his life’s work.

A jazz ensemble lead by Carl Ratcliffe, pianist, added to the evening. Joining Ratcliffe was Curtis Harris, bass, and Joe Simpson, drummer. Another highlight of the evening was a presentation by Spoken Word Artist and Poet Laureate, Dr. Mona Lake Jones. The GMF trustees and Friends who planned the event were Mary Elizabeth Karpel, Cynthia Hall, Cherie Hanses, Ria J. Johnson-Covington and Nancy Romanovsky.

The Governor’s Mansion Foundation, an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization, honors the historical and cultural significance of the Washington State Governor’s Mansion by maintaining and enhancing the furnishings, art and library collection in the public rooms of the mansion, educating the public about the mansion and its history, and advocating on its behalf. The Governor’s Mansion Foundation is independent of the Governor’s office and the Governor. To learn more on becoming a “Friend of the Mansion”, or for more information on GMF, visit www.wagovmansion.org.