Foster, Donald Isle, 1925-

Donald Isle Foster was born in Seattle, Wash., in 1925, and his family had a long and influential connection with the Pacific Northwest. He is the great-grandson of Oregon Trail emigrants, and the son of Seattle physician Harry Foster and his wife Vera Isle, who was also from a pioneering family. Donald Foster's grandfather donated prime real estate along Lake Washington to the city of Seattle, which was named Foster Island in his honor. During World War II, Donald Foster attended Queen Anne High School and later earned an MBA at Stanford University. Shortly after graduation, he was hired by the Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson. When planning began for the Century 21 Exposition, Foster accepted an on-loan assignment with the fair organization to help solicit participation from large eastern corporations. As the fair opening approached in Apr. 1962, Foster took on the full-time position of Director of Exhibits when Alan Beech suddenly resigned. After the fair, Foster did not return to Frederick & Nelson but worked for the Seattle Center organization as it transitioned to a permanent civic center. He served briefly as the interim Executive Director of both the Seattle Center organization (1963) and the Seattle Repertory Theater (1964). Shortly after, Foster took a position with the Ford Foundation as Director of Humanities and the Arts. At the same time, he served on the Seattle Symphony Board, the Seattle Repertory Theatre Board, and the Seattle Art Museum guiding committee. In 1969, Foster purchased the Richard White Gallery in Pioneer Square, and renamed it Foster/White Gallery. He resigned from the Ford Foundation, and became an influential player in the Seattle art scene for the next thirty years. As a founder of the 1970s advocacy group Friends of the Crafts, Foster encouraged artists working in traditional materials, especially glass. Dale Chihuly's first Seattle show was held at the Foster/White Gallery in 1977. In Dec. 2002, Foster retired and sold the art gallery, which still retains its original name.

From the description of Donald Isle Foster collection on the Century 21 Exposition, 1961-1963. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 690026601

Donald Isle Foster was born in Seattle in 1925, and his family had a long and influential connection with the Pacific Northwest. He is the great-grandson of Oregon Trail emigrants, and the son of Seattle physician Harry Foster and his wife Vera Isle, who was also from a pioneering family. Donald Foster’s grandfather donated prime real estate along Lake Washington to the city of Seattle, which was named Foster Island in his honor.

During World War II, Donald Foster attended Queen Anne High School and later earned an MBA at Stanford University. Shortly after graduation, he was hired by the Seattle department store Frederick & Nelson. When planning began for the Century 21 Exposition, Foster accepted an on-loan assignment with the fair organization to help solicit participation from large eastern corporations. As the fair opening approached in April 1962, Foster took on the full-time position of Director of Exhibits when Alan Beech suddenly resigned. After the fair, Foster did not return to Frederick & Nelson but worked for the Seattle Center organization as it transitioned to a permanent civic center. He served briefly as the interim Executive Director of both the Seattle Center organization (1963) and the Seattle Repertory Theater (1964). Shortly after, Foster took a position with the Ford Foundation as Director of Humanities and the Arts. At the same time, he served on the Seattle Symphony Board, the Seattle Repertory Theatre Board, and the Seattle Art Museum guiding committee.

In 1969, Foster purchased the Richard White Gallery in Pioneer Square, and renamed it Foster/White Gallery. He resigned from the Ford Foundation, and became an influential player in the Seattle art scene for the next 30 years. As a founder of the 1970s advocacy group Friends of the Crafts, Foster encouraged artists working in traditional materials, especially glass. Dale Chihuly’s first Seattle show was held at the Foster/White Gallery in 1977. In December 2002, Foster retired and sold the art gallery, which still retains its original name.

From the guide to the Donald Isle Foster collection on the Century 21 Exposition, 1961-1963, (Museum of History & Industry Sophie Frye Bass Library)