Saddle up for FUSION’s 2022 summer arts festival

Country-western theme will flavor fundraiser to benefit local homeless families.

By Sarah Fox • July 17, 2022 6:30 am

The annual FUSION summer arts fundraiser, this year themed “Boots & Bling,” is 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at Dumas Bay Centre, 3200 SW Dash Point Road.

FUSION is a nonprofit organization that provides housing and support and services to families experiencing homelessness.

“FUSION owns 20 homes in Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma. Families stay in them for up to 18 months and then transition to other, more permanent housing,” said FUSION Board Chairperson Julie Siegler.

Proceeds from this event will go toward FUSION’s program to start renovating two houses that were gifted to FUSION by the Federal Way Multi-Service Center. These houses will eventually become FUSION’s 21st and 22nd temporary homes for families on their journey to permanent homes.

An “upscale country and western round-up,” this year’s fundraising gala will feature silent and live auctions, local artisan exhibits, a multiple course barbecue meal, a spin-the-wine-wheel game, and live country and western music.

“This is a really fun theme and I think people are anxious to get outside and do something, so it should be a ton of fun,” said Siegler.

Up For Auction

Auction items will include several trips, goods and experiences at various price ranges.

Several art pieces of different mediums including blown glass works, paintings and pottery will be available for bid at the auctions. Various gift baskets will also be up for bid, including a barbecue basket, a Jump Start Espresso basket, Seahawks baskets, a Mariners basket, and movie night baskets, among others.

Other items for auction include a pizza oven kit, an air fryer, an essential oil diffuser, a Café Pacific Gift Card, and more.

“Experience” packages include gift certificates for massages, tickets to the LeMay America’s Car Museum, Museum of Flight, and the Tacoma Art Museum, an opportunity to take a ride with the Federal Way Police Department, tickets to sports events, and more.

Several travel packages will also be available at the auction. A few available trips are a two-night stay at the Browns Point Light Station Lightkeeper’s Cottage, a weeklong “Bali Fantasy Vacation” package, and a weeklong African safari trip for two.

After a more subdued version of the event in 2021, this year’s event promises to be an evening full of fun in support of vulnerable members of the community.

More information

This event is funded by corporate sponsors and individual donors. Local businesses contribute services and goods to the auctions. Volunteers bring all these elements together to provide “an exciting, fun evening for attendees.”

FUSION stands for “Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy.” The organization was founded in 1993 by Peggy LaPorte and a group of local residents. Their goal was to help families experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing, and that is what they continue to do through events like the summer arts festival.

To sponsor or donate to this event, email event@fusionfederalway.org.

To volunteer, email volunteers@fusionfederalway.org, or visit fusionfederalway.org/how-to-help and fill out the volunteer signup form.

Mirror file photos Sunny and warm weather graces the FUSION festival every year, just like it did in 2021.

Katie Dean was among several artists whose work was on display and for sale at the FUSION summer arts festival in August 2021. Her letterpress work focuses on a vibrant color palette and botanical themes.