619 Western Fallout: Saying Goodbye To A Northwest Tradition

When last we checked in with the beleaguered tenants of 619 Western, they had just announced plans to hold one last art walk in the building before the cease and desist order from the Seattle Department of Planning and Development went into effect on August 1st. Well, as with all things that are attempted via a committee (i.e. - anything in this town done under the auspices of a city or county council), the voices of various interested parties were raised and threatened to cancel the last minute bash inside the building.

Specifically, concern was expressed that pushing the envelope by holding a mass gathering after the tenants had been warned not to might put the kibosh on efforts to extend the deadline to move, and find a way to hold monthly art walks, if not within the building, then at least in the vicinity. These efforts are being spearheaded by Jen Vertz and Carl Faulkner (a photographer in the building and the proprietor or X17 Studios, respectively), who seem to have made some headway in their efforts to work with the city in an attempt to alleviate the pressure on those who do business inside the condemned building.

"The [DPD] has stated that the intent of the order was precisely to prevent a single other artwalk in that building from happening," Faulkner comments. "My concerns are that what might be a short term gain from one last party might either hasten our exit deadline[...]prevent us from retaining our studios for a few more months without an artwalk -- as some of us make a living from our studios -- or at the very least, that it might compromise the meeting we had yesterday (regarding extended usage) and the cooperation we are receiving from the DPD in helping us secure a new building."

Speaking as someone who is looking at all of this from an objective point of view, if such was the DPD's intent, it should have been stated more clearly. As it stands, the language used helped to create the sort of loophole that business lawyers make their bread and butter from. Furthermore, while the DPD is correct in stating that the onus to comply with their findings after the Nisqually quake resides with building management, if the concern regarding the safety issues within 619 Western were as high as all that, then oversight of those issues should have been present since making those findings known. Credit where it's due, however, it is heartening to hear that they are being open and supportive to helping the residents out.

"My heart is in the 619" Faulkner continues, "I would LOVE one more artwalk on First Thursday. To those that open [tonight], I wish them all the best, and will miss being there (I spent a year planning this month's show-I'm crushed too)...I'm trying to do it by the rules so that we don't jeopardize the future of the artists in the Square."

Godspeed to you, Mr. Faulkner and Ms. Vertz, best of luck in those endeavors.

Meanwhile, a large number of the other tenants within the 619 have moved forward to have tonight's Last Thursday Art Walk; it is one final chance for those with fond memories of what it was like to wander the halls in the building, visiting studio after studio and seeing what the artists have come up with for that month.

According to Johnny O'Brady, who represents the HERE gallery, as well as the Local 619 (a collection of artists from within the building), the event "gives the artists the opportunity to have a final show in their studio, and to say goodbye to Art Walk visitors, friends and fellow artists who have been visiting the building for years."

The visual artists aren't alone in scheduling a farewell event at the last minute within the building. The Satori Group, a theater company that resides in the building, are saying goodbye by putting together the Smash Bash: Final Days event that will take place on Friday night. Beginning at 8:00p.m., the Satori Group has put together an evening of music, film and other arts that promises to make you groove.

This is what perseverance looks like; the only shame is that local government is getting nowhere near the attention they deserve for these maneuvers.