Artifakt’s Two Year Anniversary!

It seems like just yesterday that the Seattle urban art non-profit Artifakt was started. Run by dozens of volunteers, Artifakt brings in fresh artists and live music to nearly all of their events and have really made quite a name for themselves in the last two years.

Tomorrow is their celebration at Lo Fi for their two year anniversary. Be there or be square!

Amongst the headlining artists on display is Chris Sheridan, who has some new skateboards on display in the photos below. Which is your favorite?

Seattle’s Canvas Gallery Blows Minds Yet Again

Since it carved out a hole for itself out of what was formerly the Snowboard Connection, the Canvas Gallery has really set itself apart from other galleries in the Pioneer Square area. Its prime location right below the 619 Building and its selection of diverse artists spanning numerous mediums makes any trip to Canvas an interesting one.

Of particular interest was this month’s show, which had one side of the room largely dedicated to textile art. This side of the gallery housed a complete visual feast.

Take for instance Maura Donegan’s Memento Vitae I and Memento Vitae IV, shown below.

Memento Vitae I

Memento Vitae IV

As their names might suggest, these pieces are a reflection upon her life, playing carefully on her childhood (and current) love for words. In both pieces, words with special meaning in Donegan’s life were selected to create pieces that are as much experimental textile art as they are an extension of Donegan’s literary mind. The six-sided dice in Memento Vitae IV are in fact six-letter words that viewers must piece together for themselves. Memento Vitae I is a crossword puzzle with carefully stitched boxes filled with yet more words that are vital to Donegan’s memory.

Further down the wall was a piece by Lauren Davis, entitled Me/ You. The piece shows two photographs of hands, each from a different individual. The hands are then permanently linked together with bright red string. A simply idea, sure, but well executed.

Lauren Davis’ Me/ You

Remarkably, though, the most entertaining things for me in the whole gallery were canisters of miniature beads glued onto porous rocks and then submerged in water. Jenny Joyce brought forth four ridiculously creative, experimental pieces that simply utilized water, air, and vibrations in the room to bring forth displays that have the hypnotic entertainment level akin to watching jellyfish swim around a tank.

Jenny Joyce’s Doily

Artoleptic Urban Arts & Music Festival 2008

Artoleptic threw its first event last year, in the parking lot adjacent to the 619 Building and the Snowboard Connection. Some decent art pieces were created, but the sense of community was lacking, partially due to the fact that the event was barely publicized.

Earlier this month was year two of the Artoleptic urban arts and music festival. The non-profit rented out the same space but gave out free booth space to artists, got sponsored by Glaceau, enlisted the participation of many more mural artists, chose a much more diverse selection of music, and brought on Skate Like A Girl for girl skate workshops.

Here were some of the highlights from the event:

Ego and 179 join hands for a mural.

Ten Hundred, who was covered in the Spring 2008 Issue of REDEFINE, gives away free drawings at his well-stocked, colorful booth.

First Thursday, Pioneer Square, July 2008

Alright, this is a bit late, but a late post is better than a non-post, correct?
Here are some of our favorites from the July 2008 First Thursday Art Walk! Enjoy!

Bryan Mandronico’s kooky, sci-fi inspired paintings aren’t just expertly colored; his use of clean lines, abstract shapes, and negative space make well-balanced, powerful pieces.

Bryan Mandronico shows with a little gold leaf and acrylic paint that sea creatures, popes, and aliens can hang out together without a hitch.

Erin Kendig, also known as Little Red Girl, didn’t have many pieces for sale on this day. Nonetheless, her space, which was shared with previously covered Ryan Molenkamp, was one of the hits of the 619 Building.

Two tree lovers embrace in Erin Kendig’s beautifully inked and intricately plotted drawings. (Note the little red girl in the lower left, watching the lovers.)

Stacey Rozich’s Birdhaus Complete is a colorful display of different birds. Watercolors on paper.

Stacey Rozich’s Problems at Sea offers a new take on seafaring. Watercolors on paper.