A crowd of about 100 people filled the upstairs gallery at the Museum of Northwest Art on Saturday, March 22, for a lively panel featuring four ceramic artists.
Seattle-based artists Patti Warashina and Tip Toland joined artists Claudia Fitch and Emily Counts for the discussion titled Radical Empathy, the Power of Memory and the Freedom of Irony. MoNA Executive Director Stefano Catalani moderated the event, guiding the conversation with a mix of thoughtful questions and sharp humor that kept the audience laughing throughout.
Catalani projected images of each artist’s past and present work, prompting reflections on meaning, process, and inspiration. The informal, often playful exchanges between Catalani and the artists made for a dynamic atmosphere.
“I had a wonderful time. It was very invigorating to listen to Tip and the other artists,” Warashina said.
The event drew both locals and out-of-town visitors, a testament to La Conner’s reputation as a destination for art lovers. Longtime resident Linda Talman called it the museum’s best event yet.
Catalani emphasized MoNA’s role not just as a cultural institution, but as a driver of local tourism and economic activity. Visitors from across the region come to La Conner to shop, dine and explore the museum, he said.
The panel wrapped up with an audience Q&A, then participants were encouraged to browse the exhibit downstairs with newfound interpretations of the sculptures.
The current show, MoNA Ceramic Invitational 2025: Build Me Up, Tear Me Down, Why Don’t You Love Me Babe Like There’s No One Around, runs through May 11. It features 12 artists from Washington and Oregon, including Warashina, Toland, Fitch, Counts, and others.
For exhibit details and upcoming events, visit monamuseum.org.
Marissa Conklin is a Skagit Valley journalist and photographer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Production and is actively pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching. She is a proud Skagitonian and nature-lover.
