The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce next week will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Jaz Man Enrichment Center.
The venue is a new creative arts destination in Onalaska dedicated to supporting artists, offering educational classes and providing a welcoming space for community events, according to a news release from the chamber.
The ceremony will take place at noon Tuesday, July 14, at 1995 state Route 508, approximately 1 mile east of downtown Onalaska on a wooded property.
Greeting visitors is a giant white Pegasus created by owner Miriam Bagwell from leftover styrofoam and cardboard used during the family's move. Inspired by a painting created by her son, Jaz, the sculpture is a fitting introduction to a place where imagination and creativity take center stage, the chamber stated in the release.
Bagwell envisioned the center as a place where creativity can flourish for people of all ages.
"I wanted to create an environment that promotes crafters and creators while providing a center where children and adults can enjoy classes and events throughout the year," Bagwell said.
While many of the center's special events will be seasonal and centered around holidays, classes will be offered year-round in five creative disciplines: fabric arts, woodworking and metalworking, graphic and fine arts, children's art, and gardening.
"Gardening is also an art," Bagwell said. "We need to encourage gardening for a healthy and sustainable planet."
Beyond classes, Bagwell hopes the center will become a gathering place for the local arts community by offering studio space, gallery exhibits, workshops and special events that showcase the talents of regional artists.
"The way I see it, we've created the space, and now we're inviting others to come play in it," she said.
The inspiration behind The Jaz Man Enrichment Center is deeply personal. The center is named after Bagwell's son, Jaz Aguilar, who suffered severe burns in a fire five years ago. He lost both legs and much of one arm. Although he has limited use of his remaining arm, he continues to face each day with remarkable determination and optimism while expressing himself through art, the chamber stated.
Today, Aguilar creates hand-turned wooden wands and pipes, has taught himself welding, and crafts dragons and other movable metal sculptures using recycled hinges, screws and other found objects.
"He wakes up every day choosing life," Bagwell said.
His perseverance and positive outlook became the inspiration for creating a place where creativity, healing and community come together, the release stated.
Creativity has always been part of the family's story. Bagwell's father was an artist for Disney, while she built a career in fashion design and pattern making.
Following Aguilar’s accident, the family relocated to Lewis County, where relatives live in nearby Castle Rock, to pursue their long-held dream of creating a place where artists could find encouragement, inspiration and community.
After purchasing the property three years ago and transforming it into a creative campus, Bagwell is now ready to welcome the public.
The Jaz Man Enrichment Center has also been selected to participate in the 2026 ARTrails Studio Tour in September and is available to host private events, including weddings.
The public is also invited to attend a grand opening open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, to tour the facility, meet the artists and explore the many creative opportunities the center has to offer.
In addition, Bagwell’s costumes will be on display for viewing.
For more information, contact Bagwell at miriambagwell@gmail.com, call 360-451-1450 or follow The Jaz Man Enrichment Center on Facebook.
The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosts ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate new businesses, milestone anniversaries, relocations and other significant community achievements. Community members are encouraged to attend, meet local business owners, and discover the products and services available throughout the region.
