OLYMPIA — The board of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) recently announced the election of Brenda Nienhouse, of Spokane, as chair. Nienhouse has been a member of the ArtsWA board since former Gov. Christine Gregoire appointed her in July 2011. The election took place in August.

Nienhouse is executive director of the Spokane Symphony and the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. She is nationally recognized for leading the renovation of the Fox Theater, a historic building in downtown Spokane, that was slated for demolition in 2000. With the efforts of many donors and dedicated staff, it reopened in 2007. The theater has “helped to significantly boost the economic upswing of downtown Spokane,” according to the press release by ArtsWA.

“Brenda is a respected leader in the Spokane area and brings wonderful skill and important perspective to the work of ArtsWA,” Kris Tucker, ArtsWA Executive Director said. Tucker has announced her retirement and will be stepping down in January 2014, according to an earlier Columbia Basin Herald article.

Also elected to office in August were Andy Fife, of Seattle, as first vice chair, and Amanda Jackson Mott, of Twisp, second vice chair. Jackson Mott is the executive direction of the Methow Arts Alliance in the Methow Valley. Fife and Jackson Mott were commissioners before becoming an officer.

The governor appoints 19 commissioners to the board, while the legislative caucuses appoint four. Commissioners guide the direction of and set policy for ArtsWA, and advise the governor and state legislators regarding the arts in Washington.

The board also honored outgoing chair, Cindy Finnie, of Port Townsend. Finnie served two three-year terms which is the most one can serve without requesting a special exception.

ArtsWA does reach Moses Lake. A new art installation, consisting of tiles of terra cotta bugs designed by Tacoma artist Claudia Riedner, will be installed as part of the Washington State Art in Public Places State Art Collection at Sage Point Elementary School. Sage Point Principal Noreen Thomas said installation will begin in October, weather permitting.

Four stained glass windows have been installed at Port Orchard Elementary within the same program, Rebecca Solverson, Art in Public Places Project Manager, said.

According to the arts.wa.gov website, ArtsWA also offers grant money for art organizations, arts in education and for special purposes. No grants were awarded in Grant or Adams counties for the 2014 fiscal