OLYMPIA… Sen. Brad Hawkins is the newest member of the Washington State Arts Commission. He was appointed yesterday by Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib at the request of Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler.

Hawkins’ three-year term will begin with the commission’s first meeting of the new fiscal year, which will be Aug. 1-2 in Wenatchee.

He said being on the commission will help him serve the interests of the many vibrant arts communities throughout the state, particularly those in north central Washington.

“I’m very proud to serve a district active in the arts from the Methow Valley through Chelan, Leavenworth and into the Wenatchee Valley. I believe there is an artist inside each of us, and I want those who care deeply about the arts in the 12th District to know they are being represented,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins becomes the second north central Washington resident on the 19-member commission, created by the Legislature in 1961; Amanda Jackson Mott, the commission’s first vice chair, is from Twisp, where she is executive director of the Methow Arts Alliance.

He said his appointment is not only a nod to the art communities in his district but also to his own longstanding interest in the arts, particularly visual arts. Hawkins attended many art camps through the Wenatchee Valley YMCA while growing up in Wenatchee, and his wife Shawna has a history of involvement in local performing arts.

“Art has been an important part of my life, and I know how important it is to us here,” Hawkins said. “I’m looking forward to serving on the Arts Commission as our senator, and I’m especially excited that I can help welcome everyone to Wenatchee for my first meeting.”

Hawkins is the fifth commissioner from east of the Cascade Mountains; he joins three other lawmakers on the group, all from western Washington.