Finding Space
November 1st - November 30th, 2011
Mixed-media encaustic paintings by Janet Nechama Miller on display at Mioposto 3601 S McClellan St Seattle, WA 98144
My New Art Studio: A Story of Love & Gratitude
In September 2011, 100+ artists were relocated from our beloved 619 Western Ave. artist building. You can read about what happened here and here
I am now working out of a lovely new studio in downtown Seattle, on 1st Ave. between Spring & Madison. This is my story about the 619 artist building: the building that first shaped my studio practice, introduced me to amazing artists and art-lovers, and led me to where I am today.
I first moved into 619 Western in the spring of 2005. I had just returned from a six month bicycle journey in Guatemala and Mexico, and was determined to find a studio space right away, as soon as I got home. I couldn’t wait to start painting, and I knew I was ready for an art space outside of my home- wherever that would be!
Almost immediately upon my return, Craigslist led me to a shared space on the 5th floor of the 619 building. I couldn’t believe my luck! I worked in that glorious studio for just about four years, sharing space with incredible painters, sculptors, and mixed-media artists until my endless boxes of collage elements and melting pots of beeswax began to take over the whole space and I longed for more room to spread out. Around that time, friends in the building graciously alerted me to a new space opening up, and invited me to join their lovely community on the 2nd floor, south side. The space was dim and dingy when I first saw it, and I scrubbed and painted it until it met my idea of perfection. With the help of many generous friends, we turned the dark, dirt-covered storage room into a bright, welcoming space, perfect for dripping with beeswax, smearing with oil paint, and covering with shreds of salvaged papers. This studio became my sanctuary, and I worked there happily until last month, September 2011.
In July 2011, I discovered that we would all have to move out of the building by October. We had all already known we’d have to move out, but not until March of 2012. At this time, I was still in denial of the move, secretly hoping that the expensive tunnel would not really be dug, that the state would not really purchase the building, and that we would all get to stay there “just a little bit longer” for years to come. Amazingly to me, steps towards these realities happened quickly, and before I knew it an eviction notice was posted on every door in the building. Realizing that we only had a few months to find new studios, 619 became abuzz with artists accepting the news, searching for spaces, and supporting each other through the chaos.
I am so very fortunate. The same generous artist friends who first invited me to move to the 2nd floor of the building, Grego Rachko and David Peacey, helped me find the new studio space I am now enjoying. While I was out of town, these resourceful friends found the space, visited it, decided to move in, put in a good word for me, and encouraged me to join in on this new, growing community. When I first stepped into the space and met some of the creative folks there, I knew this was going to be my place. I felt completely cared for and welcomed by Grego, David, and our studio manager, Josh. I will always be grateful to have been invited in to the space so lovingly.
I now have my own area in an open, shared warehouse filled with all kinds of painters, architects, crafters and builders. I haven’t been there long, so I don’t even know yet the extent of the creativity that is happening all around me! We do not regularly participate in the First Thursday Pioneer Square Art Walk. This is a significant change for me, but, rather than dwelling on the loss of the regular art walk, I am focusing on getting my work out of my studio and into coffee shops, galleries, and other spaces. I am looking forward with this change!
I kept my studio in the 619 Western building for a roller coaster of six years, and I will always remember that cracked and crumbling, filthy and graffitied, paint-crusted and dreamy artist building as the place where I first established my practice as an artist, amongst a universe of creative minds and amazing experiences. Along the way, I was lucky to have met and befriended the kind, calm, and inspiring Susan Lockwood, who first invited me to the legendary Soup Wednesdays, as well as the stunning Su Job, who first encouraged me to move in to my own private space so I could spread out. In addition to these remarkable artists, I am honored to have connected with John Belli, Kay Kirkpatrick, Peter DeLory, Richard Morhous, Ronda Lagerberg Miller, Joby Shimomura, Birna Sigurbjornsdottir, Rachel Illingworth, Kate Protage, Chris Sheridan, and literally countless others.
I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been a part of such a rich history of artists’ stories. While my gut admittedly still aches a little for my old studio, I feel honored to build community with a group of new artists, and excited to have a new little space to cover with beeswax, fill with new stories, and make my own. 10/9/11
Thank you so much for your continuous, loving support!