Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin La Gra.
Hi Justin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a background in carpentry and woodworking, so I’ve always been drawn to building things that last. Things you can actually stand in, touch, use, and experience. For a long time, that work was centered around homes and physical spaces; but over time I started creating smaller, more artistic pieces such as tables, jewelry boxes, rocking chairs, and more.
Being in a more maker-led community, I saw a need for a space where artists and makers had the same kind of support and infrastructure that other industries take for granted. Not just a place to hang work, but a place where people could gather, collaborate, and actually feel part of something.
The Carpenter’s House grew out of that idea. It started as a vision to create a space that brings together art, music, craftsmanship, and community under one roof. From there, it’s really been a matter of building it piece by piece. We’ve been working directly with artists, hosting events, learning what the community responds to, and adjusting as we go.
Where we are today is the result of a lot of hands being involved. It’s not just my vision anymore. It’s been shaped by the artists, vendors, and people who continue to show up and be part of it. And we’re still building.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. It’s been rewarding, but it definitely hasn’t been smooth.
The biggest challenge has been funding. Spaces like this are expensive to operate, especially in downtown Olympia, and we started with a limited runway. Fundraising has been essential to keeping the doors open, and it hasn’t come easily. It’s something that’s always on my mind. On top of that, I’m still running Steadfast Remodeling and La Gra Specialty Woodworking, which are the businesses that pay the bills. Splitting time between those and The Carpenter’s House can make it difficult to give each the attention it deserves, and there’s a constant balancing act there.
That said, a lot of the process has been genuinely fun. There’s something special about the late nights getting the gallery ready, hanging work just hours before an event, or collaborating with artists and sorting through a wide range of ideas to figure out what best serves the space as a whole.
So while the financial side can be stressful, the day-to-day experience of building something with the community has made it worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, The Carpenter’s House is a space built by a maker, for makers; I think that’s what sets it apart right away.
We’re not just a gallery, and we’re not just an event venue. We’re a place where art, music, and craftsmanship all live together, but in a way that actually supports each part of the process. We host monthly Artist Showcase events, regular live music, workshops and classes across both fine art and woodworking, and we provide resources like specialty hardwood and tools for people who are actively creating. There’s also a professional recording studio in the space, and we’re working toward opening The Carpenter’s Café, which will give people another reason to spend time here and connect.
What makes it different is that it’s grounded in real experience. I come from the trades, so I understand what it’s like to need space, materials, and support that just aren’t always available. That perspective shapes how we run things. We work closely with artists on installation and presentation, we create opportunities for people to not just show their work but teach and sell it, and we try to build something that feels accessible rather than exclusive.
I think what I’m most proud of is the way the space brings people together. You’ll see artists, musicians, woodworkers, and families all in the same room, interacting in a way that feels natural. It’s not segmented. It feels like a shared environment where creativity is happening in a lot of different forms at once.
What I’d want people to know is that this is a place you can be part of, whether you’re an artist, a maker, or just someone who wants to see something different. It’s still growing, still evolving, but the goal has always been to create something real and lasting for the community.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve come to really appreciate how much Olympia values creativity and individuality. There’s a strong sense that people here genuinely want to support local artists, small businesses, and new ideas. It’s a place where you can try something a little different and actually find an audience for it. There’s also a slower pace to the city that allows people to engage with art in a meaningful way.
On the other side of that, one of the challenges is that the infrastructure doesn’t always keep up with the creative energy. Resources for makers (things like materials, tools, and larger-scale spaces for displaying) can be limited or hard to access. That gap is part of what led me to start The Carpenter’s House in the first place.
Overall, though, Olympia has a strong foundation of community and creativity, and that’s something worth building on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecarpenters.house/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecarpentershouseoly
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584087036691
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCarpentersHouseOlympia
