On a sunny, breezy afternoon, the intersection of 23rd and East Union Streets felt warm.
Arté Noir, a nonprofit focused on the advancement of black arts and culture, had its grand opening on Saturday at its Brick and Mortar location in the Central District. It’s a new corner property that’s part art gallery, retail space, and soon a recording studio. Dozens of people gathered to shop, admire the art, and celebrate the addition of Black Her culture to the Central District and the woman who started it all, founder Vivian Phillips.
“When people come and say how beautiful it is and how good it feels, it boosts my energy,” she said.
In keeping with its goal of being a community space, Arte Noir welcomed emerging artists and museum directors on Saturday. Phillips said this is proof that artists and institutions are “coming together in a very interesting way.”
“I really think it shifts the paradigm of how art is perceived in terms of stewardship.”
The new space is airy and bright, and designed with an intuitive flow even though there’s a lot going on in one big room. The retail part includes products from around 30 brands, from candles to greeting cards, some of which have been created specifically for sale at Arte Noir.
Jazmyn Scott, Executive Director of Arté Noir, curated most of the retail space, selecting black-owned brands and products to sell.
“I connect with people who have local products that I love and I know they don’t have physical store space,” she said. It kind of shocked me… it never happened to them to be approached in that way.”
Gallery Onyx’s works are lined up in the gallery corner where large white panels are nestled like a maze. Located in Pacific Place, Onyx showcases the work of more than 500 artists from the African Northwest.
“My intention was to really create a space where the Black Art Gallery could stay in one place in the central area for as long as they wanted,” said Phillips. “For them to feel good, warm and welcome…I wanted them to have something that wasn’t basic. We deserve more.”
Ashby Reed, vice president of the nonprofit Onyx Fine Arts Collective, who opened his first bank account in the former Liberty Bank building across Rue de la Arte Noire, said he’s happy to be back on his feet.
“Vivian opened a door that we dreamed of: ‘Wouldn’t it be nice?’ Pointed out that it was a hole in the town wall. “Vivian is a blessing.”
The art collection on Saturday included works on canvas by Ty Jones, an artist and interior designer born and raised in Seattle. Ty Jones said he appreciates Arte Noir’s emphasis on black culture, especially in an area with so much black history. He lost to redevelopment.
“There was a lot of history here over 20 years ago, but having grown up here as a kid, I can tell you this place is completely different,” she said. “Identity is so important that it is important for people to see their culture and history in many places. It’s very important.”
For some, Saturday’s event was a “welcome back” to the Central District. For others, it was a return to face-to-face art after the pandemic lockdown, and for Phillips, those two recoveries of his go hand in hand.
“When I hear from an artist and they say, ‘This is why I’m coming back to the Central Area,’ it means a lot to me,” she said. “And I think they thrive when they see themselves reflected, when they’re loved, when they know they have a place.”
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This indemnification is partially underwritten by the MJ Murdock Charitable Trust. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over this and all its coverage.