History of the Foundation
Mission: The James and Janie Washington Foundation serves to promote the creative potential and purpose within all of us.
The Foundation honors James W. Washington, Jr.’s memory and preserves and perpetuates his personal artistic legacy by supporting educational programs, special projects, exhibitions, critical scholarship, and community work that deepen appreciation of and access to the beliefs that guided his extraordinary art and life.
In 1990, the City of Seattle's Historic Landmarks and Preservation Board designated James W. Washington, Jr.'s studio and home in the historically African American Central District "a culturally significant place." Later, in 1997, a group of prominent citizens, along with Dr. and Mrs. Washington, formed the James W. Washington, Jr. and Janie Rogella Washington Foundation. The Foundation preserves and perpetuates the legacy of this influential American artist of African American heritage by supporting educational programs, special projects, exhibitions, critical scholarship, and community work that deepen appreciation of and access to Washington’s extraordinary art and life. In addition, the Foundation acknowledges the professional and personal encouragement Mr. Washington generously provided other artists by supporting the creative and intellectual development of emerging artists and African American scholars.
The Foundation honors James W. Washington, Jr.’s memory and preserves and perpetuates his personal artistic legacy by supporting educational programs, special projects, exhibitions, critical scholarship, and community work that deepen appreciation of and access to the beliefs that guided his extraordinary art and life.
In 1990, the City of Seattle's Historic Landmarks and Preservation Board designated James W. Washington, Jr.'s studio and home in the historically African American Central District "a culturally significant place." Later, in 1997, a group of prominent citizens, along with Dr. and Mrs. Washington, formed the James W. Washington, Jr. and Janie Rogella Washington Foundation. The Foundation preserves and perpetuates the legacy of this influential American artist of African American heritage by supporting educational programs, special projects, exhibitions, critical scholarship, and community work that deepen appreciation of and access to Washington’s extraordinary art and life. In addition, the Foundation acknowledges the professional and personal encouragement Mr. Washington generously provided other artists by supporting the creative and intellectual development of emerging artists and African American scholars.
