The biggest Black arts festival in the Northwest will grace the streets of the Central District this fall – Wa Na Wari’s Walk the Block is back, and we're thrilled that this year they're partnering with us for ARTE NOIR's opening day!
Join us on September 17th for Wa Na Wari’s annual fundraiser, which can best be described as an arts expedition through the neighborhood, transforming Central District homes, businesses, parks, porches, and other common spaces into art installations and performance sites. Find and explore a feast of art featuring the work of local, national, and international Black and Indigenous artists. There will be music, dance, visual art, community stories, installations, food, and drink. Yes, you will need a map for this adventure, which starts at registration on the rooftop of Medgar Evers Pool and guides you on an opportunity to connect with neighbors, families, elders, artists, local businesses, and legacy homeowners while filling the streets with love and appreciation for Black art.
This year, Walk the Block is also partnering with ARTE NOIR to celebrate our grand opening! We will be hosting a music and art activation gathering in Midtown Square, complete with sweet treats and giveaways. We couldn't ask for a better way to open our doors to the community for the first time!
Last year’s event covered a mile-long route and drew over 1200 participants of all ages, so get those tickets now! Check out the details and purchase your Walk the Block ticket here. Let's WALK! We’ll see you on the block Saturday, September 17th from 2 to 6 PM!
ABOUT WA NA WARI
Wa Na Wari is a center for Black art sited in a 5th-generation Black-owned home in Seattle’s Central District. Founded in 2019, Wa Na Wari creates space for Black ownership, possibility, and belonging, through art, historic preservation, and connection. Our work: Builds on a legacy of Black resilience and self-determination; centers Black creativity through free art exhibits, film screenings, performances, and workshops; organizes for Black-led, arts-based solutions to displacement & economic vulnerability; and builds meaningful economic pathways for Black artists and homeowners.