Make.Shift's inaugural Arts For All Ages fundraiser

January 22, 2023 at 10:22 a.m.

Guests talk to one another during Make.Shift Art Space's inaugural Arts for All Ages award ceremony and fundraising gala at Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall on Jan. 21. The event raised funds for Make.Shift's workshops and upgrades to the Flora Street venue, an all-ages space for art and music. **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

Sarah Lane, local artist and Make.Shift's board of directors secretary, introduces the fundraiser Saturday night. "Make.Shift is a conversation," Lane said. "It is a conversation that is inclusive of all individuals in a way that no other arts organization [is]... It is a space to be vulnerable in our person and in our creativity, and we are celebrating this tonight." **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

Isaac Hill poses in his retro-future look. The gala's retro-future theme was based on "envisioning the future we want to see," said Jessyca Murphy, Make.Shift's executive director. **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

Jordan Wendland smiles while listening to speakers at the fundraiser, which more than 100 people attended. **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

Make.Shift Executive Director Jessyca Murphy said the organization envisions expanding to satellite venues in other parts of the county, plans on paying its staff more competitive wages, and desires "residing in a building that does not flood every six months." **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

Elizabeth Montoya, left, presents the Champion for All Ages Art and Music Award to Jenn Mason, owner of WinkWink Boutique. "Oh my gosh, this is the coolest award I have gotten," Mason said after receiving the trophy shaped like the sign of the horns hand gesture. **(Trenton Almgren-Davis/Cascadia Daily News)**

More than 100 people donning neon and silver, reflective sunglasses, capes and dangly earrings attended Make.Shift Art Space's inaugural Arts for All Ages fundraiser at the Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall on Saturday night.

A nonprofit formed in 2008, Make.Shift supports artists and musicians from Whatcom and Skagit counties through its all-ages art gallery, music venue, art studios and a community radio station, KZAX 94.9 FM.

During the gala, Jenn Mason — owner of WinkWink Boutique — was given the Champion for All Ages Art and Music Award for establishing safe spaces for youth to learn about healthy sexuality and relationships; promoting free expression and poetry through a queer youth open mic night called Outspoken; and recently hosting live music at the Downtown First Fridays Art Walk.

Amy March, a local artist whose artist name is Amym5000, was reinvigorated by the event and inspired to teach volunteer art classes again. “Young people doing art and music, it makes me young,” said March, who was a board member at Make.Shift between 2015 and 2019.