P.A.R.C. at George Fox University

Welcome to Pacific Northwest Artist Research Center (PARC)!

We’re thrilled to have you here! Whether you’re visiting to explore or looking to collaborate, PARC invites you to delve into the rich and dynamic world of Pacific Northwest (PNW) art and culture. Together, let’s inspire one another and celebrate the unique vibrancy that defines this extraordinary region.

About the Project

The Pacific Northwest Artist Research Center (PARC) at George Fox University is dedicated to defining and expanding the legacy of Indigenous, historic, and contemporary artists working within the Cascadia bioregion. Through the careful archiving of primary source writings, interviews, and research resources, PARC seeks to understand how the physical, social, and historical landscapes of the PNW shape artistic processes and creative expression.

Our archives feature research writings and recorded interviews with PNW artists, offering firsthand insights into their experiences and perspectives. These stories and reflections shed light on how the PNW has shaped their work—and how their art, in turn, influences the culture of the region.

In addition to documenting and preserving the work of artists, PARC serves as a platform for research and collaboration. Our open-source archives and resources are designed to help researchers uncover the intricate social and historical connections between art, artists, and the unique geography of the Cascadia bioregion. For those passionate about sharing their findings, we also offer opportunities to publish research and contribute to the ongoing conversation about PNW arts and culture.

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Our Research Scope

What is the Cascadia Region?

Cascadia is named for the rushing whitewater cascading down her mountain slopes. This Great Green Land, nestled along the Pacific Rim, stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide. Cascadia’s boundaries extend from the Mendocino Fracture Zone in the south to the Aleutian Trench in the Gulf of Alaska. It’s a region of salmon-filled rivers, towering forests, and majestic peaks—an ecosystem that profoundly influences the artists who live and create here.

Artist Categories

To truly understand the diverse experiences of PNW artists, it’s essential to recognize the varying cultural, historical, and personal perspectives that inform their work and practices. While no artist can be fully defined by a single category, PARC organizes research into three broad areas:

• Indigenous Artists
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  PARC fundamentally values the recognition, preservation, and celebration of Indigenous cultures and their essential relationship with the region and its history. We aim to highlight these unique insights into placemaking, stewardship, and the enduring stories embedded in their work. While often outside the purview of a single credited artist, PARC seeks to deepen dialogue and studies in this area while connecting it to the contemporary life and culture of Indigenous and local peoples.
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• Historic Artists
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  The work of historical artists offers a window into the past, reflecting societal evolution, values, and beliefs within the Cascadia bioregion. PARC strives to preserve these legacies, ensuring that the lessons and stories of the past remain a part of our collective understanding and we continue to learn how they impact our lives today.
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• Contemporary Artists
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  Contemporary art captures the diversity and complexity of life in Cascadia. By exploring and connecting the work of today’s artists, PARC helps deepen our understanding of current dialogues and experiences, revealing how today’s creatives engage with the region’s ever-changing landscape and its relationship to other regions and their artistic dialogues.
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Join Us

PARC thrives on collaboration and curiosity. Whether you’re an artist, researcher, historian, or enthusiast, we invite you to contribute, explore, and help expand our understanding of the vibrant art and culture of the Pacific Northwest.

Have questions or ideas?

We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [E-MAIL ADDRESS].

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Collaborators

Faculty Leads

• Lisa Gadinas
• Dustin Kelly
• J. Seth Van Der Eems, Director

We want to acknowledge the work that the following individuals has been to make this happen.

• Whittie Davis
• Levi Gallagher
• Alissa Hrushka
• Isabella Marsh