Time to paint the town red — and all the other pretty colors. After a two-year hiatus, the Seattle Art Fair is back for its sixth edition with 85 galleries at the Lumen Field Event Center from tonight, Thurs., July 21, until Sun., July 24.
Seattle and PNW creatives are getting lots of time in the spotlight this year — and there are some great talks + panels to mark on your calendars. So grab some cheese + wine from the lounge, and let’s scratch our chins thoughtfully at these highlights.
Making a statement 💡
Catching our eye are the fair’s public projects — large-scale works with powerful themes. Those include “THIS WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL AND DANGEROUS TOO” from Pakistan-born, Seattle-based artist Humaira Abid who uses painted swing sets + 3D elements to highlight the plight of child refugees.
And if you see a dude inside a large Motel 6 sign, don’t be alarmed. Artist Miguel Calderón plans to literally live inside his own sculpture for the duration of the show and eat whatever snacks the fair has to offer, highlighting the disparity between ads + reality.
Love for the local 📌
You’ll really get to know some of great homegrown talent with works by the likes of Inye Wokoma of Central District’s Wa Na Wari + Preston Singletary from the Pilchuck Glass School. Plus, sculptor Mimi Sturman’s felt creations not only give us “Squid Games” vibes (in a good way), but also sewing goals.
Planning ahead 🗓️
All these events within the event are free with the price of admission. Tickets are $25 for a day pass, $50 for the weekend.
- Book Signing with Patti Warashina | Thurs., July 21 | 7-8 p.m. | Booth F09 | You’ve seen Patti’s “Dreamer” sculpture in South Lake Union — now meet her in person.
- Artist Talk with Carrie Mae Weems | Sat., July 23 | 4-5 p.m. | Christie’s Theater | The celebrated Portland-born artist whom the New York Times called “perhaps our best contemporary photographer” gives a lecture on her exhaustive body of work.
- Bridging the Digital and Physical | Sun., July 24 | 12-1 p.m. | Christie’s Theater | Hey, remember the Seattle NFT Museum? Co-founder Jennifer Wong join several artists in explaining why NFT art can thrive in real-life spaces.