Peninsula Art League’s Summer Art Festival Marks 39 Years of Creativity
- Like Media
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 2
A weekend filled with art, music, and community
By Like Media Team
For nearly four decades, the Peninsula Art League (PAL) Summer Art Festival has been the heartbeat of the local arts scene, an open-air celebration where creativity meets community. On July 19–20, 2025, the festival returns to Sehmel Homestead Park, bringing a vibrant collection of fine art, music, hands-on experiences, and the unmistakable buzz of a hometown tradition that has only grown more meaningful over time.
This summer marks the 39th annual celebration, a milestone that showcases the Festival’s evolution from a small group of local artists in the early 1980s into a beloved regional tradition. Since its founding in 1986 by PAL artists Mary Bessette and Donna Moen, the event now draws over 250 Peninsula Art League members and thousands of visitors each year—an enduring tribute to the area’s vibrant arts community.
“The Peninsula Art League Summer Art Festival is more than an event—it’s where creativity comes alive,” organizers say. “Whether you come to find a one-of-a-kind piece of art, participate in a demo, or simply enjoy the music and sunshine, there’s something here for everyone.”
This year’s event features over 100 artist booths, with creators showcasing everything from pottery and photography to garden art, fiber, sculpture, jewelry, and mixed media. It’s a treasure trove for collectors and casual browsers alike, and a rare opportunity to meet artists face-to-face, learn about their process, and take home something truly original.
New in 2025 is the Creative Corridor, a fresh and engaging addition designed to deepen community connection. This interactive zone brings regional arts organizations directly into the festival experience, offering live demonstrations and information on year-round programming from groups such as the Gig Harbor Studio Tour, Puget Sound Book Artists, Ghostlight Performing Arts, and more. “It’s a new way to connect attendees with opportunities for year-round creative engagement, echoing PAL’s mission: Bringing Community to the Artist and Art to the Community.”
Family fun takes center stage at the Kids’ Corner, where young imaginations are invited to run wild with free art activities, face painting, and playful booths like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, sponsored by Altrusa. Meanwhile, the Literary Corner hosts regional authors, thanks to the Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society, offering a quieter, story-filled nook within the festival’s colorful buzz.
Don’t miss the Peninsula Art League Members Summer Art Exhibition inside the Volunteer Vern Pavilion, a curated showcase of local talent in a gallery setting. Outside, music fills the air with live performances on the main stage, coordinated by Kimball Coffeehouse, and an enticing variety of local food vendors and food trucks, including returning favorites like BBQ2U, STACKS, La Plancha Mexicana, and Una’s Kettle Corn.
Beyond entertainment, the Festival remains a powerful platform for supporting artists and inspiring the next generation. Booth fees are intentionally kept affordable, and PAL members who volunteer can earn credit toward classes and workshops. Proceeds from the event help fund annual scholarships for local high school students pursuing careers in the arts. In 2024, $16,000 was awarded to six deserving recipients.
Planning this beloved event takes a full year of behind-the-scenes dedication from more than 100 volunteers, including long-time committee members and Boy Scout Troop 212. The result is a seamlessly orchestrated weekend filled with heart, talent, and true Pacific Northwest spirit.
And while you're enjoying the festival, don't forget to support a great cause—this year’s event will also include a Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor food drive. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item and drop it off at the booth upon arrival.
Getting there is easy, with free on-site parking and shuttle service running throughout the weekend from Gig Harbor High School and the Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion.
To learn more, visit PeninsulaArtLeague.org, follow along on social media @peninsulaartleague, and don’t forget to subscribe to “The Palette,” PAL’s bi-monthly digital magazine filled with local arts news and upcoming workshops.
Come for the art. Stay for the music, the memories, and the unmistakable magic that’s made this event a Gig Harbor tradition for 39 years and counting.
Peninsula Art League | Summer Art Festival
Gig Harbor, WA
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