Mountlake Terrace Library

Yulia Balenko

Exhibit Opens August 1
August 1 – 31, 2026

The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission presents the Yulia Balenko Exhibit at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Avenue W.

Artist Statement:
I was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and later lived in Dublin, Ireland, before settling in Mill Creek, Washington. My artistic journey began in my hometown, where I attended art school at a young age.

Over the years, I have participated in numerous workshops that shaped my style and technique. In Saint Petersburg, my focus was on gouache, watercolor, and charcoal sketching. While living in Ireland, I further developed my practice in oil painting and organized my solo exhibition, Still Life Poetry.

In 2019, my family and I relocated to the Seattle area. Since then, I have continued my artistic growth through workshops at Gage Academy and by engaging with local artists and art communities.

While my early work focused on still life, life in Washington State sparked a passion for hiking and inspired my shift toward landscape painting. I especially enjoy plein air painting.

I am currently an active member of Puget Sound Group Northwest Artists (PSGNWA) and Plein Air Washington Artists (PAWA), and I regularly exhibit my work at local galleries.

Today, I proudly consider myself an international artist with a lifelong dedication to fine art.

The Mountlake Terrace Arts Advisory Commission oversees the library exhibits as part of its mission to promote cultural events in the community. Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 1-5pm.