Arts Council Community Spotlight: Elsa Bouman, Working Artist

Elsa Bouman

In Celebration of 25 years of doing good in our community, the Arts Council would like to take some time and highlight some of our fantastic members who are doing great things in our community.

Elsa Bouman - Lake Forest Park


Artist in Schools, August Arts Camp Teacher, Fiber Artist in Residence



What do you love most about our community?


The community here is just so open and warm. I was at the Commons, and they put up a huge white barricade 60 feet long and 8 high, and I thought “hum.. well thank you for priming the canvas.” I wrote them and said “this should be a big mural.” They liked it and I got everyone (to paint it) from 2-year-olds to 90-year-olds, to teenagers, and some professional artist friends.

How have you been involved with the Arts Council, and for how long?


I started teaching as an Artist in Schools and the summer camp to share with kids. It’s really who I am, because I love it so much and I take it everywhere, it defines who I am and defines our community …I got involved with the Arts Council and everything just bloomed from there.

How do the arts make an impact in your life?

I moved here about 8 years ago. I did some weaving and artwork in the Bay Area, but here there was this community of fiber artists that don’t just spin and weave, they own their own sheep! They love what they do, and their passion combined with the accessibility of the arts made it the best move we’ve ever made.

Why should someone support the Arts Council?

Art is not superfluous or a luxury, it really defines who we are. The joy that it gives kids to feel clay, or dance, or play an instrument, or whatever they do, is critical to defining and distinguishing us and distinguishing them.

In one word, describe the Arts Council...

The Arts Council is “very necessary... Oh! That’s two words!”

Join The Loom Lady and become a member of the Arts Council. You’ll not only receive great member perks, you’ll also get to bask in the warm glow that comes with knowing you’ve helped foster creativity in your community. Stand with your neighbors who together, over the last 25 years,  have invested over $3 million in arts and arts education right here in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

You can also check out Elsa’s current Power2Give campaign and donate to the Loom Lady Project. 

The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and support the arts in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park