Seattle Storefronts is Expanding

If you've ever walked through the International District or Pioneer Square and witnessed something unusual, say, an empty storefront window being taken over by multi-colored crystalline shapes, Storefronts Seattle is probably behind it. Starting last year, Storefronts Seattle has been working with various city organizations to fill empty buildings with art. One such installation was Elizabeth Gahan’s piece mentioned above, whose crystalline colors continued to grow in the window over a three month period.

Seattle Storefronts has really created an everybody wins type situation. If a building is going to sit empty for awhile, you might as well vitalize the local arts scene, create space for artists to show their work in a way that is accessible to the public, and give an ugly storefront a temporary makeover, right?

Now, Storefronts is expanding their artistic touch to the South Lake Union neighborhood with two new installations on Thomas Street. These two installations are part of a slew of new sites supported by the organization, all of which should be open for viewing by August 4th. Some participating artists that I’m particularly excited about are Daniel Carillo’s wet plate collodian photographs of local artists in the International District, SuttonBeresCuller’s installation in the abandoned lobby of the Pulix Hotel on 5th avenue, and Frances Nelson’s geometric lattice-like work in a South Lake Union storefront on Boren Avenue. Probably the best part of these installations is you don’t have a to plan a trip to a gallery or map out your first Thursday Artwalk, you might just see something spectacular on your way to work or the grocery store. For more information on Seattle Storefronts or to get specific site locations, go here.