“The Place”

Riverside Place, Spokane, WA

This week, I had the privilege of spending time at Riverside Place in Spokane, Washington, a place we fondly refer to as 'The Place' at SFCC. This building, with its rich history, was originally a Masonic Temple, completed in 1905 and expanded in 1925. It holds a special place in the heart of Spokane, with President Theodore Roosevelt himself breaking ground here in 1903. Today, it is a testament to our shared heritage, which has been transformed into an event center.

Every year, our college community embarks on a collective journey to “The Place”, a week-long artistic retreat. Here, we hold our regular classes and engage in collaborative projects, be it in photography or film. The benefits of this annual pilgrimage are manifold, with many young artists finding their creative voice and inching closer to their aspirations. The opportunity to contribute to others' artistic visions is as rewarding as the personal growth experienced this week.

The image you see here was a spontaneous creation on the first day of our event this year. During a lull at the front desk, I stepped outside and captured this moment. It's a testament to the idea that art can be born anywhere, if we're receptive to the world around us. The transformative power of new environments, like “The Place”, can ignite creative inspiration, even in the midst of mundane tasks like event check-ins.