Every second Thursday marks a Capitol Hill Art Walk. Capitol Hill—where every corner has a treasure, where the colorful streets crisscross, and galleries are tucked above storefronts. If you've never been, put on your jazz tunes, sip some wine, grab a friend and head out. Grab a couple of dollars while you’re at it, because many of these galleries offer some sweet deals on local art. And most importantly, make sure to leave room on your laptop for all those wonderful free stickers.
This past Thursday, I made a pilgrimage to a few of the art walk hot spots; I’m here to share my experience and provide a guide to help you navigate the night according to your vibes. Because there really is something for everyone. Just pick your Pinterest aesthetic of the day and go!
Dark Academia Core: Sandbox Seattle
Nestled above the unassuming corner of 10th and E. Pike sits Sandbox Seattle, a new gallery to the area. A visit here is like a travel back in time, to the romance and elegance of the typewriter era. The space is plush; there’s even a loveseat or two to take in the art. The best part about Sandbox? Each of the pieces comes with its own little dad joke. You're sure to end up with a good chuckle by the time you're done admiring the wacky and wonderful.
Doodles for Days: The Factory
Just one block up is the colorful counterpart to Sandbox's lighter vignette. This gallery, a longtime staple of Capitol Hill, is straight out of Jacob Sartorius’s "Sweatshirt" music video.
Oodles of doodles deck the walls, all hand-drawn pieces for the “Good Boy Graffiti" show, featuring black and white pen drawings on wood block by Tom DesLongchamp, of @thomthinks. Tom has certainly been thinking a lot up. All these wacky and wonderful creations are from the wild though, as Tom says he’s mostly inspired by his own backyard. His very friendly neighborhood squirrel even makes an appearance. (A reminder that simple pleasures really are life’s treasures!)
Pacific Northwest Indie: Sophia Trinh
Sophia Trinh’s studio, around the corner from the Factory, is a PNW dream—all petrichor and mist, lovingly rendered in watercolors galore. With a vintage green door to match all the emerald in this state, the space is overflowing with the natural world and beckons the nature lover in us all. Basically, Edward Cullen would most definitely buy a wedding gift for Bella here.
Feminine mystique also plays an important part in shaping this gallery's aesthetic. Many of the pieces here are political statements; Sophia says her favorite is this uterus piece. It also represents an anchor—the first of an emerging series of political statement pieces.
Crazy (but lovable Plant Grandma) Twilight Zone: Steve Gilbert Studio
Enter the metal verse and the mental verse of Chris Coleman at Steve Gilbert Studio. This Capitol Hill loft is bursting with Coleman‘s inner dreams and delights. Coleman says he’s inspired by the common objects he encounters day-to-day, as well as letting the metallic aspect of his art play into his very own imagination and dreams. He says his favorite piece is this one, inspired by one of his favorite house plants.
The room in the back is filled with photographs of Seattle’s music history. One visitor got caught up reminiscing about his own time in Seattle’s punk scene, commenting says he likes to come here to remember the good old days.
The Boozy Lovers' Paradise: Stoup Brewing
Andy Warhol-esque pop art meets good old-fashioned brews at Stoup Brewing. On this corner of Capitol Hill, fine art posters by Cornish students are on display. Cornish College of the Arts, in collaboration with Timber Outdoor Music Festival, commissioned each artist to pick a musician to showcase with a unique poster.
The Classic: Vermillion Gallery
Rock that red lip and high heel combo at this classic Capitol Hill gallery. A beloved watering hole for artists for decades, the gallery currently features the work of Arturo Artorez.
The Mexican-inspired colorful art is sure to make you jazzy, but fear not! The back of the gallery features a live DJ set, and disco ball to dance off all that free wine. And if you're really feeling yourself, (which, duh, you totally should, all the frickin' time) you're in luck! Tommy, of Tommy Tomato Art, offers free caricatures for anyone interested. Their work can also be found at Pike Place Market—although those may cost you a buck.
For the Not-So-Tortured Poet in us All: Bluecone Studios
Blue Cone Studios is a hub for anyone wanting to tap into their creative side or follow a creative whim. It’s a communal art space that features multimedia work from all different styles of art. From IKEA lamp sculptures to horticulture hearts, this corner's got it all. There’s even a section replete with crystals and incense for you astrology enthusiasts.
Zion, the studio's curatorial and social media intern, is a Renaissance man himself—a multidisciplinary artist and curator with a "lens focused on radical optimism." Almost any night of the week he's there to facilitate experimenting with all kinds of creative pursuits, from poetry and photography to music and even yoga.
There really is a corner for every soul seeking that artistic escape on an art walk evening on Capitol Hill. And the best part: it’s free! So pick a corner—any corner—and get exploring.
The Capitol Hill Art Walk happens every second Thursday of the month. Find out more about the art walk here, or join us for one of our artist-led Art Walk Tours. The Capitol Hill tour gathers at 5 p.m. at 911 E Pike St #211 before heading off with a group of art-lovers. It's free, so come alone or with friends!