Spotlight on Death Dancer

In the short time that Death Dancer has been operating in Olympia, it has already made a significant impact on the South Sound community.

This innovative community organization was founded by Jennie Beth Banks, who serves as its creative director. Her own experience in coming close to death in 2021 led to her decision to explore ways that conversations around death care and death awareness could be shared—not only through her own efforts as an artist, documentary filmmaker, and death doula, but through the contributions of others who work in the death care and death awareness community.

Last year Banks used her artistic talents to curate an exhibit for the 2024 Fall Olympia Arts Walk, using conceptual mixed media art pieces related to Death & Dying, Loss, and Living. Throughout the month of October, Death Dancer offered workshops and lectures in Olympia that focused on different aspects of dying and grief.

This year Death Dancer has introduced monthly grief gatherings, memorial events, workshops, walks, and socials. All events are open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted but not required.

This weekend (October 3-5), Death Dancer’s 2025 Fall Olympia Arts Walk exhibit will expand from one venue to two, with locations at 111 Cherry Street and 520 Fourth Avenue. In addition to artistic contributions such as paintings, ceramics, embroidery, sculptures, and photography, there will be poetry, author readings, dance, music and song. Inspire Olympia is a co-sponsor.

“I want people to have a safe, welcoming space to talk about their own experiences with death and dying,” Banks states, “and to inspire people to live their lives to the fullest.”

For more information about Death Dancer, click HERE. For more information about Death Dancer’s collaborative exhibit at the 2025 Fall Olympia Arts Walk, click HERE.
 
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