Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center

- 422 W Meeker, Puyallup, WA 98371

Introduction / Overview

The Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center, situated in the heart of Puyallup, Washington, is a truly unique cultural cornerstone and a must-visit point of interest for families across the Puget Sound region. Operating as much more than a simple venue, this women-owned organization serves three distinct and vital roles in the Washington community: an engaging Art Center, a keeper of local history through its museum, and a dynamic Summer Camp Organizer. Dedicated to preserving the legacy and art of renowned Western Artist Fred Oldfield, the Center ensures his vision—to share the history and passion of the American West—lives on through accessible, hands-on education.

What truly sets this center apart is its foundation in selfless community service. The organization operates as a non-profit, relying entirely on donations and class fees. It boasts an entire team of highly passionate and dedicated volunteer staff and instructors who are committed to sharing their love of art and history with students of all ages. This volunteer-driven model allows the Center to offer its comprehensive programming, from weekly art classes to specialized summer camps, at remarkably reasonable prices. Furthermore, its commitment to ensuring financial barriers do not prevent participation is paramount, maintaining a robust scholarship program for students in need of tuition assistance.

The Center is truly a multi-faceted place for learning and creativity. It houses a permanent collection of original Fred Oldfield paintings, sketches, and artifacts depicting life in the Old West, making it a valuable historical and cultural resource. Simultaneously, it functions as a lively creative hub, providing year-round classes in various mediums, as well as specialized summer camps and performance classes, solidifying its place as a dynamic art center and dance school. For parents in Washington State, especially those in Pierce County, this represents an exceptional opportunity to enroll children in high-quality, inspiring programs.

Location and Accessibility

Conveniently located within the Washington State Fair Grounds, the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center benefits from a central location in Puyallup that is easily reached by families throughout Western Washington. The facility provides a familiar and accessible venue for a variety of arts and cultural activities.

The address for the Center is: 422 W Meeker, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA.

It is situated inside the Red Gate area of the Fair Grounds, a well-known landmark in the local area. The Center places a high priority on accessibility for all patrons. The entire venue is set up for Onsite services and ensures that physical mobility is never a barrier to participation. Specifically, the Center is proud to feature:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom.
• Wheelchair accessible seating within the venue’s common areas and instruction spaces.

This complete dedication to accessibility reflects the non-profit’s larger goal of welcoming every member of the Washington community, regardless of their needs, to enjoy art, history, and creative education.

Services Offered

As a combination Art Center, Museum, and Summer Camp Organizer, the Fred Oldfield Center offers a comprehensive array of services tailored to education, history, and creative expression for all ages.

• Themed Summer Camps: Week-long, half-day camps running through June and August for students ages 3 to 18, with themes that vary annually and cover visual arts like painting, drawing, sculpture, and even dance. Camps feature age-appropriate separation to ensure focused instruction.
• Weekly Art Classes (K-12): Ongoing classes from October through May for various age and grade groups, including specialized classes for homeschoolers, focusing on the Seven Elements and Principles of Design across different mediums (acrylic, watercolor, pastel, etc.).
• Adult Art Classes: Continuing education classes for adults (ages 18+) that focus primarily on painting and building intermediate to advanced techniques in visual art.
• Monthly Saturday Classes: Special two-hour workshops offered once a month, providing a concentrated focus on a specific medium or project for an additional fee.
• School Field Trips: Educational packages available from October through June that combine a history tour of the Western heritage museum with an interactive art lesson, tailored for groups of 10 to 60 students.
• Birthday Party Hosting: Easy and hassle-free scheduling of themed art parties, including a taught art lesson chosen by the birthday child, with a private area for gifts and food.
• Gallery and Museum Tours: Permanent display of original Fred Oldfield art, historical dioramas, and one of the Pacific Northwest’s most extensive Native American Basket and artifact collections.

Features / Highlights

The Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center offers several distinguishing features that make it a compelling choice for arts and culture enthusiasts in the Washington region.

• Exceptional Affordability: Due to its volunteer-driven, non-profit status, the cost for programs is remarkably low (e.g., weekly classes starting at about $48 for a multi-week session with early sign-up).
• Dedicated Volunteer Staff: The entire operation is run by highly passionate and experienced volunteers who are genuinely dedicated to mentoring children and sharing their passion for the arts.
• Robust Scholarship Program: Ensures that every child, regardless of financial background, has the opportunity to attend classes or camps, reinforcing the Center’s commitment to community inclusion.
• Unique Art & History Combination: The integration of fine art instruction with an educational focus on Western and Pacific Northwest pioneer and Native American history provides a unique, cross-disciplinary learning experience.
• Women-Owned and Operated: Identifies as a women-owned organization, contributing to the diversity of cultural leadership in Washington State.
• Full Accessibility: The facility is fully compliant with accessibility standards, including entrances, parking, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.
• Variety of Programming: The wide range of offerings—from visual arts and dance classes to museum tours and social events—means the Center is a year-round resource for the entire community.

Contact Information

Washington residents interested in enrolling in a summer camp, signing up for an adult painting class, booking a field trip, or inquiring about a donation or volunteer opportunities can contact the Center using the information below.

Address: 422 W Meeker, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA

Phone: (253) 267-5582

Mobile Phone: +1 253-267-5582

What is Worth Choosing

For Washington State families, choosing the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center for a summer camp organizer or year-round art program is an investment in both your child's creativity and the local community. The single most compelling reason to choose this facility is its foundational ethos: high-quality, professional instruction delivered by passionate volunteers at an unprecedentedly low cost, backed by a firm commitment to accessibility and scholarships. For instance, the summer camps offer week-long, themed half-day immersion for a fraction of the cost often seen in the Puget Sound area, all while providing an engaging snack and separating children by age group.

Beyond the financial value, you are enrolling your child in a place where staff go the extra mile, as evidenced by the instructors’ dedicated coordination for events like birthday parties, showcasing a level of personal care that is exceptional in any organization. Students don't just learn to paint or draw; they connect with the history of their region through the art itself. By choosing this women-owned, non-profit, volunteer-run facility, you are directly supporting a unique cultural gem in Puyallup that ensures the arts remain accessible to every child in Washington, fulfilling a legacy of community service that makes this Center an outstanding and conscientious choice.

Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center

422 W Meeker, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA