IN FOCUS

Our stylist-in-residence, Justin Leggett, returns this month to share some of his top gift-giving picks this year.

Our featured photographer this month is University of Washington student Briana Oppong-Owusu. The following series was produced in collaboration with the Roots of South Sudan, which hosted a fashion show highlighting South Sudanese traditional outfits. Briana wanted the photos to showcase the beauty of South Sudanese culture and raise awareness for the ongoing war in Sudan. Additional image credits: Models: @yarangel__, @byegai, @amourbenjamin (Instagram) Outfit Collection:

by Myah Rose Paden More than a musician— Johnaye Kendrick is an alchemist of sound, transmuting music into a vehicle for joy, empowerment, inspiration, and healing.  Johnaye Kendrick A mother of twins and an exemplar multihyphenate, Kendrick wears many fabulous hats, from her early accolades as a student at Western Michigan University and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz to her solo career by which she showcases her consummate musicianship as an artist, composer, produc

by Angela Poe Russell A t the helm of Los Angeles’ WACO Theater, Shay Wafer nurtures partnerships that uplift Black artists of African...

by Marcus Harrison-Green Should anyone be tasked with writing the story of our future, let it be Beverly Aarons . Her words descend into...

By Kathya Alexander A little over 25 years ago, I moved to Seattle. And the first event I attended was also the first event (I would...

by Brihana Juá Artists like barry johnson are taking the torch and making it shine even brighter. On September 20, 2025, multi-faceted artist barry johnson will be recognized by ARTE NOIR for his citywide creative impact and collaborations at the gallery’s 3rd Anniversary Celebration. Johnson is more than an artist; he is a storyteller, and a reflection of the times that made him who he is. With much of his work reflecting his own personal journey and the vibrancy of black

This month, we are honored to spotlight photographer and filmmaker Nifemi Madarikan . Nifemi was born and raised in Nigeria and now resides in Seattle, Washington. His work was recently featured in At the Garden , an art exhibition and film festival curated by Arrived Creative Collective and Taswira. Please enjoy Nifemi's powerful collection. ARISE, BELOVED Arise, Beloved  is a portrait series that centers quiet moments of powerful connection in interpersonal relationships, a

“It was the first time I jumped without a plan!” Yusef Seveers knew he needed a change, but he didn’t know how it would happen.  Fate intervened. In 2023, a musical at the 5th Avenue Theatre would lure him into the Emerald City, and let’s just say he never looked back! Since officially making Seattle home, Seevers has lit up multiple theater and opera stages with his rich baritone voice and his warm energy.  I remember seeing him on stage for the first time at the Intiman The

Any discussion about the roots of Seattle hip-hop must begin in the Central District (CD), the traditional home of Seattle’s African American community. As Dr. Quintard Taylor wrote in his book, The Forging of a Black Community: Seattle’s Central District from 1870 through the Civil Rights Era , “Black Seattle through much of the twentieth century was synonymous with the Central District, a four-square-mile section near the geographic center of the isthmus that constitutes th

By Justin Leggett Throughout my life, I have always shopped second-hand. My grandma upcycled everything, curtains into dresses, clothes into baskets, towels into pot holders. When I enter a vintage store, it's equal parts treasure hunt and a walk down memory lane. As I browse the racks, I work to select pieces that tell a fashion story. Growing up, I was never embarrassed shopping at the Goodwill on Dearborn. I used to spend hours getting lost in that store. As any thrifter k

ARTE NOIR continues to grow, and we are thrilled to introduce you to Hasaan Kirkland , who has come aboard to assist in managing the gallery space. Hasaan brings to us a wealth of knowledge as a practicing artist, curator, and arts educator. Get to know a little more about Hasaan! From where do you hail? I hail from all over— smile . As a military child, I was born in Bitburg, Germany, and for the first fourteen years of my life, my family and I traveled the world. I was able

By Eli Branch IV of eb4photography Tezatalks performing at the UW Husky Union Building in February. Credit Eli Branch IV. TeZATalks , aka Teza (Tasia Thomas), is a musician, rockstar, fashionista, and cultural icon. Raised in Oahu, Hawaii, but based in Seattle since 2016, she released her first EP, Chaos , in 2017 and has been garnering fans, attention, and praise in the music industry at a steady clip since. Teza released her album Black Girl American Horror Story in Octobe

Asha's most recent exhibition, Recognition, Love, and Healing, was held at the Northwest African American Museum.

When I'm not busy styling clients, I love to go window shopping around Seattle. The city has many hidden gems, especially the scores of vintage shops tucked away in each neighborhood. I love mixing new items with vintage clothing, and my favorite vintage shop to visit is always Bon Voyage Vintage . The owner, Keith, and I have spent many hours over the years talking fashion. Recently, I popped into the store and saw a leather jacket hanging on the rack. Let me tell you, when

Preserving the history of Black communities has largely been done through passed-down traditions of storytelling, also known as the griot tradition. Griot, in West African culture, is a profession that involves training primarily in the art of listening, poetry, and music. Young griots in training sit at the feet of elders and listen to the stories that portray the history of their people and often learn to translate these histories into song.  Griots hold the responsibility

Photographer Rubin Quarcoopone shares his "Selfie Series," a digital collage series made during a time of healing from grief.

A Preview Written by Valerie Curtis-Newton   In her poem "Weekend Glory," Maya Angelou wrote:   … My life ain't heaven but it sure ain't hell. I'm not on top but I call it swell if I'm able to work and get paid right and have the luck to be Black on a Saturday night.   I’ve been blessed to be that lucky. So lucky that I get to be in rooms with Black people sharing our joy. (If you have seen Black Nativity at Intiman this season, you know what I mean!) Sharing not just our pa

by Guest Writer Brihana Juá To be an artist is to be a conduit—a vessel for something greater. When I decided to pursue music at 14, I had no idea what that really meant. As a child, I wasn’t so afraid. I was raised by a single mother who showed me early on what it meant to be passionate and strong. Growing up in a small town with big dreams was isolating, but every step toward my vision brought me closer to spaces where I could truly express myself. Throughout my teenage yea

DEPTH OF FIELD is our latest addition to the ARTE NOIR editorial, where we will share photo essays from talented Black photographers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Expect to see images from live events, including concerts, arts and culture, and more. First up, we are excited to introduce our readers to the talents of Eli Branch IV of EB4 Photography. Eli recently covered Rapsody 's "Please Don't Cry" tour, which came through The Crocodile here in Seattle on October 17