Annie’s Studios - A Community for Artists

We are Excited to See New Artist Spaces in the Heart of Downtown

Annie’s Studios, new downtown artist studio space — pre-leasing now!

We are excited to see new artist spaces in the heart of downtown.

Annie’s Studios is a project of Urban Olympia/Walker John and Thomas Architecture Studios in the historic Montgomery Ward building at 317 4th Avenue E in downtown Olympia. In honor of his mother, artist Anne John, Walker developed this building with artists in mind. Annie’s Studios has the potential to become a dynamic artists community; designed with 18 apartments, 11 art studios, a community room, and exhibition space.

Our hope is that this building is filled with artists. Many of the studios are sharable. We encourage artists to check out the studios, tour the building, and envision what it would take to create a vibrant artist collective under one roof in the heart of downtown.

Artist studio tenants will have access to free WiFi, laundry facilities, water closet and gallery areas. Storage space is available for an additional fee. Tenant-organized events and community-organized events are also a possibility.

Representatives from Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) were involved in the planning of the project, including:

• Sharing information about artist needs and premises from our 2014 survey and other sources

• Touring the site before and during construction

• Sharing project updates at artist forums

• Providing ongoing consultation on design elements beneficial to artists, including 2D/3D/performing artists

• Reviewing project blueprints and advising on plumbing fixtures, lighting, outlet placement, HVAC

• Discussing management models: property management and studio/artist community management

The mission of OAA is to support live, work and exhibition space for artists in Olympia. OAA has served in an advisory role with Annie’s Studios - working to make these new downtown spaces work well for artists and our community. 

We hope to see this building as an inviting and productive home for artists in the heart of our community. Please help make that happen by sharing this opportunity with others.

To see current spaces available at Annie’s Studios, visit Urban Olympia’s current listings page.

*Photos Courtesy Tracy Jameson for Olympia Artspace Alliance