Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee

Supporting community through art

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​ART & community

We are strong believers in the benefits of art and artistic experiences to a community. Studies show, that supporting artistic experiences in schools, as well as our community, helps students with their self-confidence, self-understanding, and inventiveness. In a community setting, art experiences foster a sense of belonging, community identity, while encouraging creativity and self expression. 

In addition to supporting the Beauty of Bronze program, we periodically host live music events, gave a young artist their first commission to paint a mural, and hosted a French wine tasting event. FLGC will offer more experiences like these, along with new experiences, in the future. 


Beauty of Bronze
​FLGC covers 100% of the costs for Soap Lake 5th grade students to participate in the Beauty of Bronze program. This program gives fifth graders the opportunity to work with a professional artist to create and exhibit their own small bronze sculptures. It's a rare experience in the world of art education, particularly when school budgets are so tight.

​Over 600 fifth-graders in central Washington (and now some high school students) participate in this program each fall which includes learning about sculpture from artist-in-residence, Kevin Pettelle of Soul In Bronze Sculpture Studio. Kids are first given a tutorial about how the creative process and bronze sculpting works. Then they create their own wax sculpture which is sent to a foundry and cast in bronze. A public artists’ reception is held in their honor each year. Like and follow our Facebook page for updates about this program. 
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​How Does the Process Work?
  • Early in the school year BOB delivers bagged wax ingots for each student, sculpting tools, a tub for water bath to help keep waxes at a workable temperature, instructions and forms to be filled out for each piece. 
  • Students watch instructional videos and learn how to make a pinch figure in preparation to make their own sculpture.
  • Once each student has completed their wax sculpture, they are delivered to Wenatchee for preparation by Kevin who then delivers them to the foundry. 
  • It takes about 10 weeks time at the foundry to caste the figures made by the over 600 students who participate in the program.
  • Finished bronzes are on display at Wenatchee Art Museum during the month of March. Students have a field trip to the museum to see their pieces on display.

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The Grand Coulee by Road - In 2023 we partnered with John Kemble of Coulee City on the publication of The Grand Coulee by Road, a full color travel sized booklet showing the location with explanation of landmarks between Soap Lake and the Grand Coulee Dam. It includes both well known and forgotten
historical landmarks, with little known historical facts when available.

​Copies are available at La Cucina di Sophia's and the Visitors Information Center. 
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Prior art experiences

Concert of Music for Voice and Guitar ​Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort
Saturday April 27, 2024


Melissa Schiel, Mezzo-soprano, and Tamara Caulkins, Classical Guitar, presented a program of early nineteenth-century Spanish songs, French chansons, and Italian operas by renowned early 19th century composer Fernando Sor (1778-1839). This was a rare and wonderful opportunity to have artists of this caliber eager to share their talents with our little community. What a special treat for us all. 

The concert took place at the Soap Lake Resort Bistro. The event is hosted by Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee and was free of charge, funded through donations.

Wine Tasting with The Princess and The Bear Wines - Thanks to all who attended!

Date: May 20, 2023
We are so grateful to all who came to experience the tasting of 4 different rare, artisanal, small-batch wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Our guest of honor was Carol Baily of The Princess and the Bear Wines who walked us through each wine and taught us about the region.

Special thanks to the Lakeside Bistro, Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort. It was only through the generosity of the resort owners and staff that we were able to bring this event to Soap Lake.  and programs. 
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Caulkins Guitar Duo Premiere Performance of Dry Falls
Written by Martin Kennedy and inspired by the landscape of the Lower Grand Coulee

Soap Lake, WA – On May 20, 2023 Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee hosted the Caulkins Guitar Duo premiere performance of Dry Falls, a brand new work by renowned composer Martin Kennedy.

Mark & Tammera Caulkins along with composer Martin Kennedy embarked on a bicycle trip through the Grand Coulee area. Inspired by the magnificent terrain, Martin wrote Dry Falls – an evocative six movement piece modeled on the set of dance types that would have informed J.S. Bach’s music during the Baroque period (late 17th to mid-18th century).

The event took place at: The Lakeside Bistro, Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort, 236 Main Street East, Soap Lake WA. 

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Contact us
Or write to:
​Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee
P.O
. Box 483, Soap Lake, WA 98851​


Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 46-4201429
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  • Home
  • James Building
  • Classroom Grants
  • Art & Community
  • Community Calendar
  • Creative District
  • SL Food & Folk Festival
    • Mainstage Performances
  • Donate
    • Corporate Matching Gifts
  • About
    • In Memory
  • Contact Us
  • Videos and Photos
  • Past Projects