Diane Martindale has been named first vice-chairwoman of the Washington State Arts Commission.

Martindale is co-president of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art and curator of the current exhibition, “Emergence Legendary & Emerging First Nation Artists.” She also serves on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission and heads up the Library Art Committee.

For the last year, Martindale was co-chair of the Washington State Arts Commission Advocacy Committee, advocating for the arts budget statewide and serving on the committee to review arts education grants.

In 2016, Martindale was reappointed to the Washington State Arts Commission by Governor Jay Inslee. Last year she served as co-chair of the advocacy committee, where they coordinated advocacy for specific bills supporting the arts in the state and the budget.

“With most attention on fulfilling the requirements to fully fund statewide K-12 education, it was a challenge,” said Martindale. “It is a thrill and a challenge to be elected to first vice chair and work with Sue Coliton, who is a tremendous talent. My experiences with the ArtsWA staff has cultivated genuine admiration for the depth of talent available in service of the state’s public art, arts education and the grant process that supports arts organizations throughout the state.”

For commission information visit, www.arts.wa.gov.