A sense of community, finding a place to belong

Where do you find your people?  When I moved to Spokane in 2018, I didn't know anyone and had to work to find new friends.  Joining the local art school (Spokane Art School) helped me there but then I had to move away during COVID.  Now that I am back, I feel like I am cheating because I know where to go to find my people again.  When I came back, I went back to teaching at the art school and made new friends but I also joined a local art group called RRAFA (River Ridge Association of Fine Art).  I knew the president and really liked him.  Through that I met another 60+ like minded people.  I rejoined a local art co-op and met some more amazing people.  Here it is 2 Christmases later and I have a delightful group of close friends who meet with me to paint once a week.  I also have the weekly RRAFA gathering "Painting with Friends" on Tuesday at 10 at Spokane Art Supply.  Painting with friends is open to anyone who wants to come and do art with friendly people.

It is amazing the places that people can find a connections, I tend to like art so I go places with it, therefore I found Spokane Gallery while looking for places to sell my art.  They sell ready made frames there and I ended up as a part-time employee.  My studio is there now but they don't just cater to fine art but also to people who like to celebrate all things fairy.  Sounds like a fun mix and it is.  Other places you can find friends tend to go along your interests.  Spokane supports all sorts of hobbyists and you can find everything from model cars and planes to trains, horses and theater.

I am grateful everyday I live here to the amazing community of friends that I built in such a short time.  My life is full and happy here and it is because I went looking.  If you are feeling lonely and depressed, maybe it is because you haven't found your people yet.  Think about your interests and make a list of them.  Then go to your community board and see what is out there that supports them.  Spokane has the Inlander publication, what does your town have?  Your people are out there, don't give up.  If you are in Spokane or the surrounding area, and want to do art, follow the links to the three places I mentioned here.  Good luck, and just remember; Your people are out there!