Nov 19 Thursday
Styled by the Streets: Black Women in Hip-Hop Fashion explores how Black women transform Hip-Hop fashion into a cultural and political force, transcending the boundaries of music to influence global style, self-expression, and identity. From streetwear to couture, hair to jewelry, and iconic photography, the exhibition showcases style as a powerful expression of Black womanhood across 30 unique artifacts. Layered in late 1990s and early 2000s denim, holographic finishes, and Y2K palettes, the gallery highlights the artists and cultural creators who bring these iconic looks to life—centering the women visionaries whose creativity reshapes Black and Hip-Hop communities through storytelling, authorship, and legacy.
Supported by KNKX. Taj Mahal is a towering musical figure - a legend who transcended the blues not by leaving them behind, but by revealing their vast and magnificent scope to the world. Measuring the impact of the 84-year-old is nearly impossible, but people try anyway. Grammy wins for TajMo in 2017 (Taj's collaboration with Keb' Mo'), 'Get on Board' with Ry Cooder in 2022, and 'Swingin' Live at the Church in Tulsa' in 2024 brought his tally to five wins and sixteen nominations, underscoring his undiminished relevance more than 50 years after his solo debut.
A recipient of the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award, an inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame, and an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award honoree - among countless other distinctions - Taj's resume is a testament to his influence. Yet accolades are not what drive him. "I just want to be able to make the music that I'm hearing come to me - and that's what I did," Taj says. "When I say, 'I did,' I'm not coming from the ego. The music comes from somewhere. You're just the conduit it comes through. You're there to receive the gift."
Taj Mahal doesn't wait for permission. If a sound intrigues him, he sets out to make it. If origins mystify him, he moves to trace them. If rules get in his way, he unapologetically breaks them. To Taj, convention means nothing, but traditions are holy. He has pushed music and culture forward, all while looking lovingly back.
A brilliant artist with a musicologist's mind, he has pursued and elevated the roots of beloved sounds with boundless devotion and skill. Then, as he traced origins to the American South, the Caribbean, Africa, and elsewhere, he created entirely new sounds, over and over again. As a result, he's not only a god to rock-and-roll icons such as Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, but also a hero to ambitious artists toiling in obscurity who are determined to combine sounds that have heretofore been ostracized from one another. No one is as simultaneously traditional and avant-garde.
Local Olympia area artists display their work. Paintings, collage, fabric art. Join us for Arts Walk October 2-3!
Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music unveils the profound legacy of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul artists who shaped the soundscape of American culture and used their music as instruments of resistance, identity, and representation.
Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul embody the profound influence of African American music on culture and history. From the spiritual foundations and transformative movements of Gospel hymns to the revolutionary improvisations of Jazz, the Blues’ Southern roots rising from the Mississippi Delta, and Soul’s powerful amplification of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, these genres have defined the unique sound and undying spirit of a nation that continues to echo through contemporary Black music today.
This is a permanent exhibition. Since time immemorial, Tribal nations have existed in this place we call Washington. This Is Native Land invites visitors to understand Washington State through the lived experiences and voices of its Native people.
Tribal nations are sovereign nations. Today, Native history, culture, and community thrive in our state. Through everyday acts of sovereignty – big and small – Indigenous peoples demonstrate they are still here, they have persevered, and they will always be here.
This Is Native Land is guided by three teachings:We are of the land and watersWith knowledge comes responsibilitySovereignty protects people, lands, and waters
These teachings are shared through multimedia, artwork, and interactive objects designed for guest engagement. They represent a contemporary continuation of Tribal stories and traditions.
Over 100 Native contributors from more than 60 Tribes shaped the exhibition’s stories and content. We thank the Native Advisory Committee and all community participants for their contributions.
Gold & Glory - a tribute to Charlie Wiggins. The exhibition features four-time gold & glory sweepstakes champion Charlie Wiggins and the original Wiggins special appearing publicly for the first timein over ninety years!
Step into the world surrounding Charlie Wiggins: the energy of Indiana Avenue, the roar of the racetrack, the craft behind the Wiggins Special, and the community that built its own space for competition and excellence. Historical imagery, artifacts, sound and immersive design reveal a story shaped by brilliance, ambition, and endurance.
Museum hours: Thursday – Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Celebrating 25 years of Halo, MOPOP’s Halo: The Great Journey artifact spotlight features rare objects from across the franchise history. Explore iconic armor and gear, original artwork, collectibles, and gaming hardware—including Master Chief John-117, Atriox, Covenant and UNSC weaponry, and limited-edition XBOX consoles. Take a closer look at the characters, designs, and fan culture that have made Halo one of gaming’s most legendary worlds. On view beginning October 14, 2026.
Explore personal writing in this generative-focused series. Participants will look at and write short pieces of memoir, essay, and personal narrative pieces in this series designed for writers of all experience levels. Through guided prompts, creative exercises, and inspiration from SilverKite's garden, participants will leave each session with their own personal writing on the page. This series emphasizes creativity and self-expression. Sharing writing with the group is optional.
Facilitated by SilverKite® Teaching Artist Mollia Jensen
Series Dates:
October 15 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
October 22 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
October 29 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
November 5 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
November 12 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
November 19 @ 10:30am - 12:00pm
Registration required by October 8. Full refunds are available if cancelled 8 or more days before the workshop start date. If cancelled 7 days or fewer before the workshop you will be reimbursed 90% with a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations after the series begins will not be refunded.
Engage in mindful movement, joyful dancing and the creation of an original piece of choreography in this 9 week committed series. Participants will explore the balance of freedom and form, repetitive therapeutic movement and engaging in collaborative choreography. The focus is on expressive dance, modified to be accessible for all participants. The final session includes a public performance of the work created.
October 8 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
October 15 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
October 22 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
October 29 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
November 5 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
November 12 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
November 19 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
December 3 @ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
December 10@ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Registration required by October 1. Full refunds are available if cancelled 8 or more days before the workshop start date. If cancelled 7 days or fewer before the workshop you will be reimbursed 90% with a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations after the series begins will not be refunded.
We are delighted to offer a Danish Language Class in partnership with the Scandinavian Language Institute. This nine-week series will allow you to jump into the basics of Danish language and culture in a supportive, face-to-face classroom environment. Students will learn essential vocabulary, everyday phrases, pronunciation, and simple grammar structures through interactive activities, conversation practice, and cultural activities.
No prior foreign language experience is required; ages 16+.
What level is this class?DAN1A is for absolute beginners with little to no prior language experience.
