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Friday, February 10, 2023

A man who journalist Wallie Funk remembered as "a heckuva tap dancer," Gordon Showalter remains one of the most prominent artists raised in Anacortes. Growing up on his parents chicken and strawberry farm on Guemes Island, Showalter moved from the farm to the stage during his time at the Guemes School. He was a dance soloist at Radio City Music Hall and a soloist in the National Orchestral Society under George Balanchine. He performed on Broadway with Mary Martin and Yul Brynner in "Lute Song", and organized the "Showalter Dancers" which performed in nightclubs and on television. His art and life inspired many and his humble beginnings are proof of the power of passion.