What does an artist "drawing board" look like?
People keep “going back to the drawing board”… where is this legendary place, anyway?
It was in Washington Hall this week, and on this drawing board were the first sketches of an upcoming art project/ apartment building in Seattle’s Central District. Curator Bill Gaylord went over the initial plans for 12th Avenue and Yesler Way. You might know the location as the old Seattle Curtain Manufacturing Company; some of its remaining fabrics will go into textile art created by the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters.
Civic arts leader Vivian Phillips then introduced the rest of the artist team: Marita Dingus, Juan Alonso-Rodriguez, June Sekiguchi, Romson Regarde Bustillo, Jite Agbro, Jonathan Clarren, Jeffery Veregge, Lawrence Pitre and me.
It’s super-early days for this two-year project. It still needs lots of input from the neighbors so it doesn’t end up just another big box of gentrified property. But I joined this project because I hope the building becomes responsive part of the historic neighborhood, like the Liberty Bank Building. Maybe that’s a high bar, but I think it’s possible.
Making an appearance in the "Front Room"
I had such a great time at Juan Alonso Studio last week...
Juan Alonso-Rodriguez pauses for a moment at his birthday fundraiser. ©Lisa Myers Bulmash
... I'm coming back to his space this week too!
I've been invited to show some of my work in the Front Room Gallery at Juan Alonso Studio. On First Thursday art walk in Pioneer Square, I'll debut a new collage as well as some others you might have missed. Details:
Oh, and in case you were wondering, last week's fundraiser was a smash! Juan presented small works by 120 artists, including me, and raised a pretty penny for Lambda Legal, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.
I'm just amazed I've gotten to double-dip, so to speak, and spend more time with such a wonderful artist. Will you join us?
Juan Alonso Studio fundraiser: claim your art
It's finished and delivered: the 6" x 6" artwork I created for next week's fundraiser at Juan Alonso Studio!
Juan is partnering with Project 106 artist studios for this fundraiser, which will benefit the ACLU, Lambda Legal and Planned Parenthood. With that last organization in mind, I made this piece honoring Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy. They were three of twelve enslaved women who survived the medical experiments of Dr. J. Marion Sims. Because of their sacrifices, he became known as the father of modern gynecology.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
More importantly, the women's sacrifices back then mean more women today recover from difficult childbirths. I hope the sales of artwork in this show can help support women who depend on Planned Parenthood for their health care.
Credit: Juan Alonso Studio
At first, all the art was going to be available first-come-first-served, starting April 28th. But so many people liked the art they saw online, Juan is now taking reservations for specific artworks. So I think it's all right to say this: if you want one, SPEAK NOW or forever hold your peace.
Good luck staking your claim!