Seattle Survives Economy, Earthquake

Art Business News, June, 2001 by Jennifer Wong

"Our sales aren't reliant on our Seattle clients," said Beth Cullom, manager and assistant director of Carolyn Staley Fine Japanese Prints. "We recognize that we've got to be in touch with the rest of the country so that when something like an earthquake and a Mardi Gras riot happens in one month, we are still selling to the rest of the country."

Seattle's local galleries have been reaching out to national and international markets for some time. It started in the 1970s when Dale Chihuly, one of the founders of the Pilchuk Glass School, turned Seattle into a magnet for glass artists from around the world. There is an urban legend which remains unconfirmed that Seattle has more hot shops within its city limits than any other city in the world, including Murano in Venice, Italy. Today, the Pilchuk Glass School lists more than 500 artists in its database in the Seattle area and estimates there are probably 1,200 in the greater western Washington area.

"Glass was once considered a craft, and now it's considered a fine art form. For people who are interested in contemporary glass, Seattle has become the destination," said Jim Mattei of the 28-year-old Foster/White Gallery, which represents Dale Chihuly, Northwest masters like Graves, Tobey and Callahan and other Northwest painters and sculptors.

Seattle is also home to galleries that represent native art unique to the Pacific Northwest coast. "People are very excited about native art," said Jewelia Rosenbaum of Stonington Gallery, which represents master native artists. "It has evolved into a wonderful kind of contemporary art that combines traditional elements with contemporary vision" Rosenbaum sells to buyers from all over the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.

In addition to Seattle's individual galleries, several art expositions are establishing themselves here for the first time. The Art Furnishings Show held in southern California is launching a Seattle show early next year while the Asia Pacific Show launched a show in January. The International Vintage Poster Fair, which shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Houston, also opened a successful show in Seattle in February.

The International Fine Print Dealers Association held its first Seattle show in January which pleased its national dealers so much they said they all would be back next year.

Cullom noted the success of the International Fine Print Dealers Show and said, "Historically, people have tended to look to the East coast for their art, but there is a general sense that it is time to turn some of the focus to the West coast. People are moving out here and there is a lot of high-tech money along the West coast."

Support from its ever-growing local population is important to the local galleries, as well. They have banded together to create a first Thursday gallery walk which has occurred at the beginning of every month for roughly 20 years. The galleries have also joined forces to produce a mailer called the Seattle Gallery Exhibitions, which is mailed to their combined mailing lists. Gallery owners have cited it as an enormous help to all of them. "It gives the impression that there is a more cohesive and extensive art scene," said Davidson.