RIP BLVD

Since we were the parent on child-distraction duty during opening night, Seattlest wanted a last look at Warren Dykeman's latest exhibit at Belltown's BLVD Gallery. When we double-checked the hours, though, we discovered that the whole gallery will "close its doors as a physical space" as of January 1.

BLVD is—make that was—the urban contemporary younger sibling conjoined (they share a wall) with Roq La Rue, Seattle's pop surrealist institution. (Which is, thankfully, staying put.)

Who's to blame for BLVD's demise? Mostly the same forces that closed WaMu: Craptastic economy.

We asked Kirsten Anderson, gallerist for both galleries, for a little more info:

The economy certainly wasn't helping. It's a shame as there isn't really another venue showing the same stuff BLVD was, but everyone has different projects they want to focus on instead. So we pulled the plug and stuck a fork in it.

That said, it's sounding like the space will continue to house arty-type businesses—stay tuned. And there's an exceptional show opening Friday, Dec 12, put on by Red Star Press, featuring the work of Chinese street artists. That coincides with a huge show I'm opening with Chris Berens on the same evening so it should be a giant party on the block that night.

In the meantime, Dykeman's show closed this past Saturday.

We're more punk and new wave than hip-hop, which meant Roq La Rue was the more popular Snow White to BLVD's lesser-known Rose Red in our hearts. But we love them both and saw some great pieces at BLVD. We're sad to see a fledgling gallery snuffed out at a mere two-and-a-half years old.

Bon voyage, BLVD. (Someone should schedule a wake.)

"Deuce 7 BLVD Window" by blvd_flicks, from our Flickr pool.