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Pioneer Square Art Walk

There’s nothing better than a warm summer evening, on the first Thursday of the month, in Pioneer Square for the Art Walk. On June 4, Nick and Kirsty and I pregamed at the shop with cocktails and farmer’s market snacks, then headed down. It was a particularly beautiful day, which really helped get us in the mood to go out after work. Pro tip: Make a date with someone, so you are committed to go.

We started at RailSpur which had two floors of art this month. This space is always a surprise….you never know what to expect, but it’s so fun to see what’s happening there, inside and in the alleys. The architecture and what they have done to restore and repurpose the building, is part of what makes it so wonderful. “Named for the railways that once ran through the area, RailSpur encompasses three historic warehouse buildings in Pioneer Square. Focused on preservation, sustainability, community and innovation, this cultural hub includes office, retail, restaurant, residential, and hospitality experiences.”

On May 16 a new exhibit opened at The Museum of Pop Culture and it runs through April 2027. It features the work of Janette Beckman, covering her work from the 70’s through today. She is a British documentary photographer who has worked in London, New York and Los Angeles. Her career began after art school, as a photographer at Sounds Newspaper and The Face magazine in London.

Jeff Kleinsmith Show at Sparklebarn

On Saturday, May 9, Sparklebarn in Ballard debuted an incredible show of work by Jeff Kleinsmith titled Tragedy, Ecstasy So On. Jeff is VP of Creative at Sub Pop Records. He has worked for Sub Pop Records since the early nineties and has a body of art spanning the decades. He designs show posters, album covers, film posters, event posters and logos. I really love his work and highly recommend a visit to Sparklebarn to check it out.

I live on the downtown Seattle waterfront, a few blocks from the Seattle Ferry Terminal, and I love taking half hour excursions across Elliott Bay to Bainbridge Island. On the boat, I grab a coffee or a glass of wine, settle into a comfy booth, and watch the scenery go by. Once on the other side, it’s a five minute walk to the offerings of downtown Winslow. One of the first places you will come across is the art museum.

This museum has the best exhibits, it’s not too huge, and it’s free (excluding some special events). It’s open 10-5 daily. I visited with my mom last week, and they had three really great exhibits.

As most artists find out, framing can be challenging. Deciding what works best for their work and affording it can be overwhelming.

I am a cheerleader for all artists and want to help them in any way that I’m able. The main thing I can do is talk through their needs and desires, and give advice. I’ve rarely talked to an artist where cost was not an issue, because it gets tacked onto the price they charge for their art.

Minami is a wonderful local artist we have represented for over five years and she has become our friend. She is VERY local, living on top of Queen Anne, so we frequently get to see her and her adorable dogs and her husband, Danny. I’m sure many people know and love them in our community.

Since I moved downtown two years ago my world is full of incredible murals. I live on the newly finished Seattle Waterfront where the city has made use of the expanse of building backs that are empty canvases for mural artists. I watched artists painting on tall scaffolding as I walked to work.

We have a long history on Queen Anne Hill and I have been a part of it since 2008, but we go back much further than that.  In May of 1989 Philip Amdal opened McGraw Street Framing at 618 West McGraw Street.

Last weekend was the Seattle Art Fair’s 9th Edition at Lumen Field Event Center. I’m a little disappointed in myself for never attending before, but never again will I miss it! (As a Seattle Art Museum member, I received free passes, so there’s another reason to become a member)