Coming soon

The Pongo Poetry Project is dedicated to supporting the healing of incarcerated youth through trauma-informed, therapeutic poetry programming. By working with young people in confined settings—such as juvenile detention facilities and mental health hospitals—Pongo helps them process their experiences through the transformative power of poetry.

To further its mission, Pongo is hosting a free community event featuring a short film showcase on March 19. This special event will include screenings of short films and art created by incarcerated youth, along with a panel discussion featuring organizations serving systems-impacted young people.

During an upcoming Espresso Shot, a Pongo Poetry Project volunteer will share more about Pongo’s mission, read a powerful poem written by a youth participant, and invite the community to attend this inspiring event.

Date: March 19th, 2025

Website: https://pongopoetryproject.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pongopoetry

Join us for January’s CreativeMornings Seattle featuring Amy Redmond as she explores the theme of Journey. Amy will share her journey of a community “rising from the ashes.” When the COVID-19 lockdown removed access to the letterpress studio at the School of Visual Concepts, the community it built stepped forward to keep the presses running by creating Partners in Print: a non-profit arts organization that brings people together by using old printing presses to amplify new voices, share knowledge, and spark creativity.

Date: January 31st, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM PST

Location: Slalom Consulting, 255 S King St #1800, Seattle, WA 98104

Join us for our next CreativeMornings Seattle featuring Angelina Villalobos Soto, as she explores the theme of Cycle. Angelina’s murals and public art have transformed spaces throughout Seattle, bringing community stories to life through bold color and immersive design, making art accessible and inclusive for all. Her work breathes life into the ordinary, creating connections that resonate with people of all ages. Discover how cycles in community, nature, and creative growth fuel Angelina’s continuous artistic evolution and leave a lasting impact on our city’s spirit.

Date: Dec 13, 2024
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM PST

Location: TBD

TASWIRA Gallery, founded by Avery Barnes, is a space committed to amplifying diverse contemporary voices from across the African Diaspora.

We are excited to announce the reopening of TASWIRA Gallery, nestled in the heart of Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square! 

The grand reopening will feature the debut of “To The Ones Who Remain Unbroken,” an extraordinary exhibit by celebrated Seattle-based artist Cristina Martinez. Drawing inspiration from her Black and Mexican heritage, Cristina’s work explores themes of transformation, solidarity, and shared human experiences, capturing the profound beauty and healing power of love and connection.

Date: December 4, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM Pacific

For more details, visit - https://www.taswira.org

Riley McGaff is a freelancer passionate about discovering how his diverse skill set can best serve businesses. He’s currently connecting with companies to gain insights and refine his offerings, ensuring they deliver maximum value. Ryan isn’t focused on selling or pitching—instead, he’s focused on learning and building meaningful connections.

Whether you’re a business, a mentor, or a professional looking to collaborate, Ryan would love to hear from you as he shapes the next chapter of his freelance journey.

Contact: rfmcgaffdesign.com

Join Robin Anderson’s Intuitive Art Show, as she shares her 3-part conscious art practice, and the very curious true story that appeared.

Learn more:

You’re invited to “Robin’s NEW Zoom Art Show NOV 19.” Tap here to RSVP - Paperless Post Flyer

To register. Contact: robincarleen@gmail.com

Justice. Reconciliation. Art. It’s all woven together for Colleen Echohawk, CEO of Eighth Generation. As a leader in the Native American art and Indigenous communities, Colleen uses her platform to advocate for meaningful cultural change.

Join us for her unmissable exploration of our theme, Thread.

Location: Coming Soon

Date: November 15, 2024

Time: 8:30 am to 10:00 am

We are all creatives.
Describe what you do, make, or create in one sentence.

As I visual designer at Blink, I help create intuitive and engaging user experiences, ensuring users enjoy the look and feel of every interaction.

Creative Challenges:
What are the top creative challenges that you face in your day-to-day?

At times, I find it challenging to voice my creative ideas, which is such an essential part of the process! I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to refine an idea before presenting it to a larger group, as if it’s too precious to share in its early stages. But in reality, sharing underbaked ideas often helps them transform into something bigger and better than you could’ve imagined. It’s a good reminder to ease up on that pressure. Share all the ideas, even the silly ones.

Defining Creativity:
How do you define creativity and apply it in your career?

To me, creativity is all about generating ideas. It’s not limited to any one medium—you can be creative with anything, whether it’s a physical space, a digital canvas, or how you choose to approach a problem. Creativity is everywhere, and the key is recognizing those moments when you can push boundaries and explore new perspectives. I feel fortunate that my career encourages this kind of thinking and places such a strong emphasis on the value of creativity.

Creative Advice:
What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you had known earlier in your career?

The more meaningful conversations you have, the better your work becomes—whether it’s with collaborators, clients, peers, or friends. Even brief discussions about concepts or visuals can have a huge impact. I used to think I preferred silence over constant critiques and comments, but now I feel the opposite. The process of building, tearing down, discovering, and rebuilding is what leads to your strongest work. It’s these real, open discussions—where you’re actively talking through ideas—that help drive that process forward.

Reading Recommendations:
What are you reading these days?

I’m currently reading Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch. It’s a great, short read about the importance of mindfulness and patience when creating. To get the great ideas, you need to appreciate and desire all the little ideas that lead up to them.

15 Extra Minutes:
If you had 15 extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?

I’d spend them outside, walking around, getting fresh air, and taking the time to be more present.

Join us for a CreativeMornings event featuring artist Damon Brown as he explores the theme of “Vision.” Known for transforming everyday spaces into extraordinary experiences, Damon’s art uses light and shadow to engage audiences in new ways. In this talk, Damon will share how vision shapes his creative process, turning abstract concepts into immersive public art installations. His work not only beautifies spaces but also encourages community interaction, showing how a clear artistic vision can inspire both creators and viewers alike.

Where: Blink UX

When: Oct 25, 2024 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is excited to introduce two new offerings for creatives across the city:

M5 Creative Building: Affordable Short-Term Leases for Creatives

Located at Seattle Center, the newly opened M5 Creative Building provides affordable short-term leases designed for creatives seeking space to work, collaborate, and innovate. This space is a key part of OED’s commitment to supporting creative industries and individuals in Seattle. Whether you need a studio, office, or collaborative environment, M5 Creative Building offers flexible options to bring your ideas to life.

MXR:SEA Networking Series

Join us for MXR:SEA, a monthly networking event designed exclusively for creatives. Held on the last Thursday of every month, each session will take place in a different Seattle neighborhood, providing unique opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Participants will also have access to training and resources tailored to the needs of the creative sector.

Don’t miss out on these exciting opportunities to thrive in Seattle’s creative community!

Learn more - https://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/industries-and-workforce/creative-economy