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His animated characters are known and loved around the globe.

But there was a time La Conner was the hub of Craig Bartlett’s world.

His parents, the late Glen and Kay Bartlett, were key players in the 1970s revitalization of La Conner. That campaign, spearheaded by restoration of Gaches Mansion and development of Town Square at First and Morris – which had been left vacant by the major fire that razed Dunlap Hardware a decade before – hinged in great measure on Glen’s design work.

Bartlett literally drew inspiration from the work of his mom and dad.

“Craig,” says his sis...