This month the Edmonds Arts Commission Youth Arts Display Case presents the Blanche Miller Art Exhibit, a special showing of youth artists involved in the Snohomish County Juvenile Court system, under the direction of community artist mentors.
The Blanche Miller Art Exhibit provides an opportunity for court-referred youth to complete and contribute artworks for community service credit. Artist mentors working with the youth were Isold Beebe, glass; Edmund Smith, photography; Richard Gold, poetry; Susan Russell, calligraphy; and Jack Gunter, painting.
The Blanche Miller Art Exhibit was sponsored by the Blanche Miller Trust Fund, the legacy of Miller, a local figure in juvenile services. Miller began working as a welfare caseworker in the 1930s and then with the Red Cross in Seattle in the 1940s. In the mid 1940s she became a probation officer for Snohomish County Juvenile Court and by the late 1940s she became the first woman in the state to be a chief probation officer for a juvenile court.
In addition to working with youth professionally, Miller raised foster children in her home. Establishing a trust before she died, today the monies from this trust are split between Snohomish County Juvenile Court and Deaconess Children’s Services to be used to benefit youth receiving their services. Through these programs Miller’s legacy continues on, helping youth in the community.
The work may be viewed at The Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street in Edmonds now through Oct. 30. Viewing hours are 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information call 425-771-0228.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
