A conversation with Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff and Arts Coordinator Lena Miltimore
Originally published on The JOLT News on June 30, 2026
What an honor it was to chat with City of Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff and Arts Coordinator Lena Miltimore.
Getting to know them better, I learned that lifelong Tumwater resident Dahlhoff grew up listening to her dad's reel-to-reel, which she still has, along with records by artists like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. She did theater, sports, clubs, debate and played the clarinet during her formative years, and continues to enjoy 5th Avenue Theatre.
Miltimore was a ballerina with Studio West Dance Academy for 11 years and was on Capitol High School’s Dance Team. Holding a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Western Washington University, Miltimore’s personal art mostly focuses on painting and textile arts.
There are many artistic adventures afoot in Tumwater created by the city and organizations like ASHHO Cultural Community Center. Last week, I went to an event at ASHHO called “Power of Connection” by Erin Jones and Terry Shaw, and left inspired. Click here to read all about it!
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dahlhoff and Miltimore about what is ahead in the arts world in Tumwater.
The conversation
Benton: What are some ideas Tumwater is looking at to bring more art to the city?
Miltimore: “We're really excited about starting an Arts Commission. Mayor Dahlhoff has discussed the idea of voices that need to be heard, and I think the Arts Commission is a prime example of being able to pull members from the community that have something to say about the arts, the community, and give them a platform to be involved in decision making.”
Note: Parts of this answer were cut for word count limits, but there was talk of having more murals, statues and events at the Falls District and Craft District.
Benton: What would you say to voters who are questioning why Tumwater is spending money on the arts?
Dahlhoff: “In Tumwater, it’s not one or the other, and it’s not competitive. We are looking at what a holistic approach looks like in Tumwater that meets multiple needs.
"Budgets tend to cut the arts, and we're looking to expand the arts ...to give other ways of getting people out, building community, having neighbors talk to each other, bringing families together in a way that is affordable. The social aspect of the arts, as well as the physical and mental health benefits. There are enough studies out there to show the importance of that. Art is place making and increasing the livability of a space.
“Sustainability is woven into everything that I do, and art should be woven into everything we do. We tend to silo into 'other.' ... Let's stop isolating arts and cutting it when it should be embedded into everything that we do.”
Benton: Tell me more about your artistic interests:
Miltimore: “I love anything that's at the Washington Center (for the Performing Arts) in Olympia. My family and I went to the Center Salon, and it just had this style of really bringing together all this art, and I thought that was so fun. I am super inspired by textile artists, quilt makers, weavers, crocheters and knitting. I do all the above and it's so rewarding.”
Dahlhoff: “I grew up taking my grandmother's clothes and my mother's clothes, and making new clothes out of it. Sewing, cross stitch, crochet, knitting. I used to make all my gifts, like head scarves and ponchos.
“The last event I went to was at the Washington Center, where the City of Tumwater gives a day for local student performers, and we had fourth and fifth graders playing marimba. It was adorbs! Some of the students asked me to sign their playbill, and that gave me a lot of joy.
“I like old school music, house music, and electronic dance music, so I listen to C89.5, the radio station run by high school students up north. I love Patsy Cline, Joan Jett, Neil Diamond, and I've seen them a few times in concert and cry every time. My first concert was Neil Diamond, and then it was George Michael where my mother and grandma were fighting over the binoculars.”
Miltimore: “I'm looking at you Mayor Dahlhoff and every day your outfits are like a little mini gallery of how you're feeling, your personality and the effort that you're putting in, and I think that deserves a special shout out.”
Benton: Did you have anything else you wanted to mention to JOLT readers?
Dahlhoff: “Local artisans and any readers who have interests or ideas should feel comfortable connecting with Lena.”
Miltimore: “Yes, my inbox is open! Call me, find me at the July concert series at the Craft Cistrict every Thursday evening in July, where we have different local bands playing.”