I am a 26-year-old Western Washington University graduate with a BA in visual journalism and a double minor in English and women, gender, and sexuality studies. I am the digital editor/designer at NW Washington’s newest independent news source, Cascadia Daily News.
I enjoy telling human-interest stories through narrative journalism, photography, documentary filmmaking and design. I grew up in an artsy but business-oriented environment — my dad is a glassblower and my mom managed my stepdad’s tattoo shop. My upbringing not only forged my work ethic, it made me a firm believer in the power of creativity and how it changes lives. This ideology is emphasized in my work, which shares a common theme: art as therapy.
One of my first documentaries featured at-risk youth paired with rescued horses for mutual healing. I’ve written about thespians, filmmakers, a makerspace, dancers, authors and musicians. I’ve told the story of a circus school that incorporates drama therapy into its programs to help folks cope with trauma. I produced a documentary about the importance of women in the folk industry, and another about a tattoo artist who started his own shop after learning the craft while incarcerated. I yearn to share these stories because people need to know the power of creativity. If you know of a creative story waiting to be told, please contact me.
When not hunched over at my computer, I am either bowling, playing with my cat (Sully) or blowing glass.
jayaflanary@gmail.com // (206) 919-0588