The Frye stumbles into big bucks

“Big, big bucks for local artists from unexpected source.” That was the almost giddy note in the email blast from the Frye Museum announcing its receipt of a $1.1 million grant from Seattle’s Raynier Institute & Foundation. Actually, the grant was awarded to the Frye Museum/Artist Trust Consortium, newly-constituted at the suggestion of the Raynier Foundation. But no matter; the money will ultimately end up in the hands of deserving local artists. And it’s a lot of dough: An annual $50,000 to the Washington artist whose work “demonstrates exceptional originality," and two $15,000 "venture" awards for the same. All disciplines welcome! The grant also pays for four exhibitions (at the Frye) showcasing the work of Washington artists. Thank the late Jim Widener Ray, skier, gallery owner, artist and philanthropist, who died suddenly, at age 52, in 2005 and left his $80 million estate to the Raynier Institute & Foundation. Except for the original gift from Charles and Emma Frye, notes Frye director Jo-Anne Birnie Danzker, the Raynier grant "represents the largest award ever made to the Museum."  — M.B.