ArtsWest Artists Association History
The ArtsWest Artists Association isn't quite this old! The West Seattle Junction during the removal of its namesake -- the streetcar tracks. |
In 2001, ArtsWest volunteers Liz Simpson and Jimm Nawrocki saw one thing wrong with the community they loved so much: there was no group that fulfilled the needs of many of West Seattle's artistic residents. They felt what was missing was an organization that could feed artistic creativity, and a setting where they could collaborate with and learn from other artists. A proposal was submitted to the ArtsWest board for the creation of a visual artists group under the umbrella of the ArtsWest organization. "ArtsWest had already established itself and their organization would be very helpful in getting the group to move forward and take care of some logistical issues," recalled Nawrocki. "I also felt that a group of local artists had the potential to expend on ArtsWest in the areas of visual arts." Since its start, the membership of the AWAA has more than tripled. The West Seattle Art Walk has also grown. The Art Walk began as a one-day event, with members' artwork featured at local businesses. But this required setting up and taking down artwork quickly, and the short display time wasn't satisfying for many artists. |
In 2005 the year-round "Exhibition Art Walk Series" was inaugurated, with artists displaying their work for six to eight weeks in a given venue. The goals for the year-round exhibitions included establishing more relationships with local businesses and expanding the participation of both artists and businesses. The Art Walk has now expanded to include local businesses stretching from Morgan Junction to Alki. Art Walk locations are usually featured in the West Seattle Herald events listings.
Over the years, AWAA also has increased its visibility by participating annually in local arts events. AWAA hosts a table every year at the West Seattle Street Fair (Summer Fest), with members demonstrating their artwork and providing information about AWAA.
The ArtsWest Artists Association also participates yearly at the Alki Art Fair, where this year AWAA artist Tatyana Brown submitted the winning t-shirt design.
Much of the above information originally appeared in the 6/15/05 issue of the West Seattle Herald in an article titled "Art Walk now year-round" by Rebekeh Schilperoort. AWAA thanks both Ms. Schilperoort and the West Seattle Herald for permission to reuse this material.