Seattle Deconstructed Art Fair
In an innovative show of collective effort, a group of over 40 Seattle art galleries, nonprofits and art institutions have come together to reconstruct the traditional art fair with a community-led effort. We did this not just for the support of our small businesses, but also for the artists in our community who have worked hard create artwork for the official Seattle Art Fair that was cancelled due to the pandemic. Its closure left a palpable void in the visual arts world, whose support is crucial to the vibrant cultural capital of our region.
Within 24 hours of the topic of creating and alternative Art Fair being conceived, there was an overwhelmingly positive response; a democratic approach to the naming of the event; and committees formed to assist with information gathering and promotions. Word spread quickly and through cooperative efforts of all involved, the Seattle Deconstructed Art Fair was created.
This idiosyncratic and iconoclastic take on an art fair dismantles the traditional “central warehouse” design, in favor of participating venues hosting exhibitions – both in person and online. With no application process, no costly booth fees, no jurying panel- the participant just has to run a Seattle area art gallery, art non-profit, or art institution- and say, “Yes.” The Seattle Deconstructed Art Fair inclusively highlights the breadth of our regional arts and gallery communities.
Exhibition dates vary by gallery throughout the month of August, and each gallery will be offering various hours open to the public. We will all be practicing safety standards according to Safe Start mandates. In addition to collectors and art fans seeking out their usual gallery favorites, the ultimate goal is that art enthusiasts can use this event and the website portal to explore all of the participating venues, discover more of our regional arts community and a variety of artists and creators to support.
Free to the public to visit online and by appointment.
We are grateful to Vulcan and Seattle Art Fair for their support of this project.