Arts & Culture in SLU

The art scene in South Lake Union has plenty to offer, no matter if you live in the neighborhood, are a daily visitor for work, or are looking for something fun and interesting to do after hours and on the weekends.

SLU is home to some conversation-worthy public art displays. Mainstays like Akio Takamori’s Three Women (greeting shoppers outside of Whole Foods on Westlake) and newer works like Dreamer by Patti Warashina at 520 Westlake are grand examples. Do check out this self-guided walking tour to see the nearly two dozen works for yourself.

The aptly named MadArt is a uniquely interactive favorite in SLU. This studio and events space engages with art lovers by hosting artists through all stages of exhibition development. That means patrons can pop in and see the progression and creative process of an upcoming exhibit. Even better? The open studio is a free experience. Don’t miss Salvage by Alison Stigora, which wraps up its open studio experience on September 30 and is on full exhibition from October 4 to November 23.

Cornish College of the Arts, which was once the country’s largest music school west of Chicago, offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in the performing and visual arts and a Bachelor of Music degree, along with year-round public programs and extension courses. One of the benefits of having an art school in your neighborhood is access to a near constant stream of shows, exhibitions, lectures, and concerts. The school’s collection of theaters and concert halls host student and faculty run productions throughout the year. Keep an eye on Cornish’s event calendar for upcoming cultural attractions.

Arts and culture opportunities in South Lake Union certainly extend beyond these three neighborhood favorites. Don’t miss these events and exhibitions coming up this fall.

Museum of History and Industry
Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine
October 15 to January 8

The West Coast premiere of this hands-on, interactive exhibit dives into the science and technology of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and voice recognition. Learn more about thinking machines and explore how AI will be a part of your future. Don’t miss the many programs and events related to this exhibition (think Blade Runner movie night, AI artmaking, and more).

Tickets: Included with regular admission ($22 for adults, $18 for senior citizens over age 65 and older, $17 for students and military, free for youth aged 14 and under and MOHAI members. Purchase here

Pathways
Winston Wachter Fine Art
November 18 to January 11

Pathways, the fall group exhibition at Winston Wachter Fine Art, features new works by three Washington-based artists: Joe Rudko, Kandis Susol, and Brian Sanchez. The exhibition will be a collection of different forms of hyper-specific abstraction. Watch for cut and assembled found photograph collages, handcrafted and wax-coated paper sculptures, and paintings.

Tickets: Gallery viewing is by appointment only. Contact [email protected] to view Pathways and other exhibitions.

Emerald City Music
The Chamber Music Society
October 21

Enjoy a night of composers who influenced American music, curating tunes by Dvořák, Coleridge-Taylor, and Ysaÿe in Emerald City Music’s flagship date-night experience of classical music. This evening will feature one of the nation’s top chamber music institutions in an open bar, “wander-around” concert setting.

Tickets: Students $10, adult (no open bar) $40, adult (with open bar) $55.

Purchase here