Vivian Phillips of Arte Noir (Image: @artenoir)
Saturday will be a day of celebrating and supporting art and community in the Central District with an important and fun fundraiser for one Central Area arts center and a grand opening for another.
The annual Walk the Block event is a benefit for Wa Na Nari that turns the area around the 24th Ave house-turned-cultural space into a festival featuring the work of local, national, and international Black and Indigenous artists that transforms “yards, porches, parks, gardens, & small businesses” into venues for visual art, performance, community stories, dance parties, and art installations.
Walk the Block
Wa Na Nari — 911 24th Ave
Saturday, September 17th 2 PM to 6 PM
We recommend you register in advance for Walk the Block, so you can skip the wait at registration! Just show up,* get your racing bib and map, and hit the streets! Also, food & drink tickets are only available with advance registration. We will not be selling food & drink tickets on the day of the event.Artists participating in this year’s Walk the Block include: Blumeadows, Alison Bremner, Jasmine Iona Brown, Bryce Detroit, Esther Ervin, Marita Dingus, Rachael F. ,Fysah, Gary Hammon & Carter Yasutake, JusMoni, Lehuauakea, Darrell McKinney, Meron Menghistab, Yeggy Michael, Larry Mizell Jr., Movimiento Afrolatino Seattle, NW Tap Connection, Tracy Rector, Perri Rhoden, Rashaun Rucker, Kenya Shakoor, Moses Sun, Gabrielle Tesfaye, Zachary James Watkins, Tiffany Wilson, Ezra Wube, Yirim Seck, films curated by Berette Macaulay, dance curated by Nia-Amina Minor and more.
Meanwhile, the Arté Noir arts center will celebrate its grand opening at nearby Midtown Square. CHS reported here on the new Central District arts center focused on “Black art, artists, and culture” and its surprising space as the anchor tenant at the new mixed-use development.
Arté Noir’s Vivian Phillips launched the online magazine in 2021 as a way to bring attention to the city’s creators and is now preparing to bring the same spirit to a real world center with room for art, artists, and the community.
“Being from the Central District and having watched the numerous changes, I want the message to be that Black culture remains a significant part of the foundation and fabric of this community,” Phillips told CHS earlier this year.
Arté Noir Grand Opening
Arté Noir — Midtown Center 2301 E Union St Suite H
Saturday, September 17th 12 PM to 6 PM
The grand opening celebration includes hands-on art activities, ARTE NOIR-branded giveaways & door prizes, a 360 photo booth, and guided tours of Gallery Onyx at Midtown’s inaugural exhibit, Truth B Told II
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