Seattle Art Fair returns to the Lumen Field Event Center this week and we combed through the galleries, festivities, and digital spaces to bring you a list of locations to catch Black art + artists throughout the fair. From special programming to artists represented by esteemed galleries, along with affiliated and non-affiliated events, pick one or pick them all and discover your next favorite Black artist!
*FYI: we cannot boast that this is a fully comprehensive list...
AT THE FAIR
Valerie Collymore is a French Impressionist artist, originally born in New Jersey, who is passionate about capturing the unique landscapes and seascapes of the French Riviera and Provence in her oil paintings. She will have multiple works on display.
Chateau Garden, 2022
Oil on Canvas 24 × 48 × 2 in | 61 × 121.9 × 5.1 cm Fountainhead Gallery (Booth G09)
Marita Dingus, a Black Arts Legacies featured artist, brings her politically and environmentally infused mixed-media sculpure work to the Seattle Art Fair as part of the Traver Gallery Booth.
Where The Castoffs Grow Materials, 2022-2023
Plastic bags, wine cork covers, plastics of all kinds, wire
15 ft x 15 ft
Presented by Traver Gallery (Booth B07)
Barbara Earl Thomas, a Black Arts Legacies featured artist, will be part of a panel of artists and industry members discussing art collecting in times of social change. See the SAF Special Events section below.
Julian V.L Gaines received widespread attention in 2020, when his series “KAREN(S)” was featured on the cover of New York magazine. As a painter, Gaines’ artwork addresses activism, education, and stories that need to be told.
A Glass of Cognac, with James, 2022 Oil, acrylic, lead, ink, house paint on canvas 61 3/4 × 64 3/4 in | 156.8 × 164.5 cm
Presented by Russo Lee Gallery (Booth D07)
barry johnson, a Midtown Square + ARTE NOIR featured artist, recently signed on to Winston Wächter Fine Art and we will be keeping our eyes peeled for his vibrant paintings in their booth. Barry will also be part of a panel discussion on new artists and new collectors, see SAF Special Events section below.
Lost Boy, 2023
Oil on paper 61 1/2 × 49 in | 156.2 × 124.5 cm
Presented by Winston Wächter Fine Art (Booth A05)
Mojo is a contemporary artist based out of Miami, Florida who believes, "It is my dutiful responsibility to evolve into a beacon of light transmuting my soul’s unique purpose into creative expressions that will uplift the frequency of our collective human existence.”
Seduction of paint, 2023
Oil on canvas 52 × 44 × 2 in | 132.1 × 111.8 × 5.1 cm Presented by Art Unified (Booth G15)
Janice Stanley, is a talented Aboriginal artist from Ernabella in the APY Lands of South Australia. She is known for her unique style of painting, Pantu (Salt Lake) - an aerial depiction of the salt lakes near her Ernabella. She will have multiple works on display. Plus, bonus, our friend and board member Juan Alonso-Rodríguez will also be showing work with ARTX Contemporary.
Pantu (Salt Lake) 525-22,, 2022
Acrylic on canvas 59 1/2 × 58 × 1 1/2 in | 151.1 × 147.3 × 3.8 cm
Presented by ARTX Contemporary (Booth G05)
Sharita Towne: the palimpsests that carry us over, selected works from 2018 - 2022, presented by Wa Na Wari. A mixed-media installation, the alluvial nature of Black collective thought and our physical relationship to land, water, and sky are brought into form here as atlas, blueprint and evocation.
the palimpsests that carry us over, selected works from 2018 - 2022
Mixed media installation
12'x12'
Presented by Wa Na Wari (#11 on map)
Tariqa Waters, another featured Black Arts Legacies artist and recently named one of Seattle Magazine's most influential artists, brings her whimsical, conversation-starting work into the public project arena of Seattle Art Fair with a large-scale paper sculpture of a giant church fan featuring ball barettes. See the SAF Special events section below for more ways to experience Tariqa's artistry!
4th Sunday, 2023
Archival print, heavy-duty hardboard, paper ball shells
9 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft (location #6 on the map)
Fox Whitney brings their queer, Black, mixed, transgender point of view to MELTED RIOT: Light Aloud, a series of live performances commissioned by Henry Art Gallery. The activation at Seattle Art Fair is a continuation of Fox’s on-going project MELTED RIOT, which investigates the effects peaceful and violent forms of support and sabotage have on the bodies, minds, and spirits of the transgender and queer community.
MELTED RIOT: Light Aloud
Presented by Henry Art Gallery (location #13 on the map)
SAF SPECIAL EVENTS
Tariqa Waters Presents: Thank You, MS PAM: In Front of a Live Studio Audience!
Presented by Martyr Sauce Pop Art Museum
Date & Time: Thursday, July 27, 2023 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Seattle Art Fair Collector's Lounge (#4 on map)
As if Mr. Rogers living room and the Land of Make Believe collided, powerhouse multidisciplinary artist and owner of Martyr Sauce Pop Art Museum, Tariqa Waters presents: Thank You, MS PAM! Filmed in Front of a Live Studio Audience, this wonderland experience celebrates local artists and creatives. Featuring DJ 9 on the ones and twos, opening night of the Seattle Art Fair will feature surprise guests, comedy sketches, and fun performances with audience participation. You don’t want to miss it!
Panel Discussion at Gray Sky Gallery: Collecting Art During a Time of Social Change
Presented by Dot Red
Date & Time:
Saturday, July 29, 2023
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Gray Sky Gallery 320 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle-based visual artist Barbara Earl Thomas, whose intricate hand-cut paper work explores themes of activism, identity and social justice, joins a panel including Josef Vascovitz, Seattle Art Fair Host Committee member, arts advocate and activist collector, and John Goodwin, Director of Community Philanthropy for the Portland Art Museum. "Collecting Art during a Time of Social Change” explores the intricate connection between art, social transformation, and the evolving practices of museums, collectors, and artists. The conversation will delve into the pivotal role of art in activism and the expression of social struggles while underscoring the imperative of inclusivity and diversity in the art world, reflecting on their journey and providing strategies for the next wave of socially conscious collectors.
RSVP for in-person event here. If you can’t join you can register for the online discussion.
Official Seattle Art Week Afterparty
Presented by Forest For The Trees
Date & Time: Friday, July 28, 2023 9PM–12:30AM
Location: RailSpur 419 Occidental Avenue South Seattle, WA 98104
Kick off the opening night of Seattle Art Fair on the rooftop of RailSpur at the Official Seattle Art Week afterparty hosted by Forest For The Trees! Forest For The Trees is taking over the historic RailSpur building in Seattle’s Pioneer Square for a 4 day, 50,000+ SQ art activation. Visitors will experience 6 floors of immersive installations, solo interventions, large group exhibitions featuring a handful of favorite Black artists, and live music including a series of exterior murals in the historic brick alley.
Music Programming by POSSI
Activation Produced by ARTXIV
FFTT will be located two blocks from Seattle Art Fair.
Admission is free and pre-registration is required. Register here.
FAIR ADJACENT
“After / Before” at Court in the Square
At Court in the Square, you are invited to enjoy a pop-up art show featuring more than a dozen artists with Seattle roots including Moses Sun. Along with all of the art, guests can enjoy a stocked bar, food vendors, and musical performances
Date & Time:
July 27-30
Times Vary; July 27, 5:30-9 p.m.; July 28, 5:30-11 p.m.; July 29, 11-midnight;July 30, 11 a.m.-6 p.m
Location: Europa Events at Court in the Square, 401 Second Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104
EVOKE UPROAR After-Party
Hosted at Seattle Art Fair Cultural Partner Taswira African Art & Design Gallery, the event will focus on networking and building community amongst creatives, professionals, business owners, and venture capitalists in collaboration with EVOKE UPROAR and The Seattle Public Library.
Date & Time: Friday, July 28, 2023 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: TASWIRA, 510 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Nii Modo AIR Program
During Art Fair weekend, Nii Modo, a cultural space committed to providing a platform for BIPOC, womxn, and queer artists, is hosting an exhibition featuring AIR fellows and additional artists for pubic viewing, including artist Jazzy Phillips will be showcasing paintings, photography and more.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 29, 2023 Sunday, July 30 | 2–5PM Location: Nii Modo, 1404 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
The Official Unofficial Art Fair After Party
Presented by Museum of Museums
Seattle writer Jas Keimig composed a piece to accompany a new show by artist Monyee Chau in the Ramirez Room, along with a handful of additional new exhibitions to explore, free live screen printing, freshly spun cotton candy, music by Emerald City Soul Club, and a full bar by the Hideout. Seattle Art Fair attendees can receive 50% off admission to the afterparty by entering code SAF50 at checkout here. (Limited to the first 250 guests.)
Date & Time: Saturday, July 29, 2023 8PM–1AM Location: Museum of Museums, 900 Boylston Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
AND... IF YOU WANT TO GET THE H*LL OUT OF PIONEER SQUARE, HEAD UP TO THE CENTRAL DISTRICT!
Our friends and neighbors at Wa Na Wari have a new exhibit opening on Saturday, July 29th
featuring works from Robin Holder, Mark Modimola, Vickie Pierre, and Adele Todd. From 6 PM to 8 PM, you can join them for an opening celebration, including music by Bluemeadows and light refreshments and of course, fabulous art.
