Showtime in SLU

Spring, is that you? With peeks of sunshine and higher temps ahead, South Lake Union has plenty of warmth on offer, especially for art lovers. Check out these upcoming spring art events and exhibits taking over our neighborhood in the coming months.

Student Dance Capstone, Cornish College of the Arts, March 1 and 2

Our neighborhood’s renown higher learning institution offers tons of arts events, often featuring students, staff, and guest performers and lecturers. With notable alums like Brendan Fraser and Reggie Watts coming out of Cornish, you might get a sneak peek at Seattle’s next big star. Cornish Dance seniors present their capstone projects in the form of choreography, performance, site-specific work, and screendance. Evening performances are on March 1 and 2 at 8pm and a matinee performance will be held on March 2 at 2pm. Tickets are free for students and $15 for general admission.

“All The Colors I Am Inside,” Winston Wächter Fine Art, Through March 2

This local fine art gallery presents an exhibit and book release by Seattle photographer Deb Achak. Drawing inspiration from her mother’s advice to “trust your gut instincts,” Achak explores the dormant spark of creativity within us. Her photographs, ranging from blurred portraits to evocative landscapes, delve into the hidden aspects of our interior lives, revealing emotions that lie beneath the surface. This exhibition invites viewers to a world of introspection and possibility, as seen through Achak’s lens. Celebrated nationally and internationally, her work connects the physical with the intuitive, urging us to trust our inner voice. The gallery is free to exhibit, contact [email protected] for more details.

Double Feature, Emerald City Music, March 8

The Abeo and Calidore Quartets will perform together in Emerald City Music’s “Quartet in Spotlight” series. Witness the mentorship turned collaboration between these two ensembles, as the Calidore Quartet, an award-winning group, shares the stage with their protégés, the emerging Abeo Quartet. The Calidore Quartet will perform Mozart’s transformative Quartet No. 16, a tribute to musical innovation and his contemporary, Joseph Haydn. The Abeo Quartet brings to life Shostakovich’s eleventh quartet, a poignant homage to a lost friend. The highlight is both quartets uniting for Mendelssohn’s breathtaking String Octet in E-flat Major, showcasing the prodigy’s symphonic brilliance at just sixteen. This event celebrates the legacy and evolution of string quartet music. Tickets are $10 for students, $40 for general admission, and $55 for admission plus open bar.

“Our Apophenia” Community Art Project With Mokedo, Understory at The Spheres

Experience the magic of connection at Mokedo’s “Our Apophenia” Community Art Project, hosted at Understory at The Spheres. Dive into the fascinating world of pattern recognition and the transformative power of gratitude. Be part of this enchanting experience by adding your personal note of gratitude to a mixed-media installation, contributing to a growing tapestry of communal appreciation.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about projection mapping, observe Mokedo’s live painting sessions, and be a part of this unique community project. Mokedo will be on-site on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm PT. The Spheres are open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Admission to Understory is free.

The 100-Year Legacy of the Junior League of Seattle (JLS), MOHAI, Through April 21

This exhibit, running from February 3 to April 21, 2024, highlights JLS’s enduring commitment to volunteer service, showcasing their significant Northwest Art Project. Established in the 1960s, this project features works by notable Seattle artists like George Tsutakawa, Jacob Lawrence, and Barbara Earl Thomas. Learn about JLS’s focus on literacy and their “Done in a Day” initiative, alongside their contribution to art education for over 19,000 students annually through the Northwest Art Project. Discover how over 500 Junior League docents have brought visual art to over 300,000 children in King County, marking a significant influence in local art education. This exhibit is included with admission to MOHAI. Get your tickets here.