OLYMPIA, WA – Leo Adams, an internationally known and well-respected local artist and an elder of the Yakama Tribe, has been commissioned to paint a Native American piece for the Washington State Governor’s Mansion Foundation’s (GMF) 50th anniversary. The painting will reflect the beauty of the Yakima area and Yakama Tribe and will be unveiled at the 50th celebration in June 2022. GMF members of the Yakima area recently brought Mr. Adams to the Governor’s Mansion to see where his piece will hang. “I really needed to see the space, feel the spirit of the room and measure the wall to get the size of the painting correct,” said Mr. Adams after the visit. The painting will be a gift to the Mansion from funding that was spearheaded by the people of Yakima Valley and GMF members.
“The Foundation is updating its Art Acquisition Plan to better reflect the diverse people of the State and acknowledge their contributions to our collective history,” said Mary Elizabeth Karpel, chairperson of the Art Committee for the Mansion. “So, we are very delighted that Mr. Adams has agreed to do a piece for us. He is known internationally, and his prior work reflects pieces we’d like to have in our collection.”
The Olympia Governor’s Mansion is the Governor’s residence and a place for the Governor to host dignitaries and entertain. The nine public rooms of the Mansion are furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques as well as some pieces from the original furnishings dating back to 1909. Art pieces in the Mansion are primarily from donations and from efforts of the Art Committee of the Mansion to acquire compatible artwork to the historic furnishings. Notable artists in the collection include Rembrandt Peale, Dale Chihuly and Edwin Chapman (dining room mural). They showcase the history and advancements in the arts and technology that have created Washington state. The 1909 Mansion is part of the Washington State Capitol Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The Governor’s Mansion Foundation, with more than 200 members, is an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization, founded in 1972, that honors the historical and cultural importance of the Washington State Governor’s Mansion by maintaining and enhancing furnishings and art for the nine public rooms of the Mansion, educating the public about the Mansion and its history, and advocating on its behalf. On hold, until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, are the Governor’s Mansion Foundation’s weekly tours and events held at the Mansion. For when tours and events will commence check out the GMF website at www.wagovmansion.org.
