The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture in partnership with Path with Art and Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) and Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) will bring free art classes and pop-up performances to Occidental Square this summer as part of the Urban Parks Activation Partnership pilot program.
Using art as a vehicle to bring diverse audiences together, this partnership explores the transformative power of creative engagement. Through drawing, poetry, theater and song, participants will work collaboratively, sharing their humanity and transforming their daily experience. The general public, ages 18 and up, are encouraged to register for classes online at DowntownSeattleParks.com. Path with Art transforms the lives of people recovering from homelessness, addiction, and other trauma by harnessing the power of creative engagement as a bridge to community and a path to stability.
In addition to workshops and performances presented by Path with Art, DSA/MID will also be programing concerts in the parks as part of the Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series and providing additional amenities and activities in Occidental Square.
Workshops:
The Poet’s Notebook
Occidental Square, 117 S. Washington St.
Mondays, July 27 – September 14 from 4 – 6 p.m. (no class on Labor Day)
One of the poet’s closest companions is her notebook. Thousands upon thousands of thoughts run through our minds every day— stopping to trap a few on the page can lead to some very interesting discoveries. In this class, participants will learn how to integrate a notebook into their poetic process. Participants will be writing new poems every week using the material they gather while notebooking in-between sessions. Presented by teaching artist Quenton Baker.
Summer Sketchbook
Occidental Square, 117 S. Washington St.
Tuesdays, July 28 – September 15 from 4 – 6 p.m.
In this class, participants will learn how to make a simple sketchbook a consistent foundation for their art practice, whatever that is or becomes. Each week participants will do an exercise in class that they will then practice on their own between classes. Exercises will demonstrate a variety of subjects, mediums, and sources of inspiration. Guest artists will bring in their own sketchbooks to demonstrate how versatile and individual sketchbooks are. Presented by teaching artist Pamm Hanson.
Performances:
Path with Art Singers Performance
Occidental Square, 117 S. Washington St.
Wednesday, September 9, 12 – 1 p.m.
Path with Art student performance.
Path with Art Poetry Reading
Occidental Square, 117 S Washington St.
Wednesday, September 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
Path with Art student performance.
About Path with Art
Path with Art is driven by its Vision: A world where arts engagement is recognized as transformative––connecting the individual with self, the self with community, and communities with society. In this world, the power of arts engagement is available for all.
About the Downtown Seattle Association: Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is a member-based non-profit organization that champions a healthy, vibrant urban core. By advocating on behalf of business, non-profit, arts and residential interests throughout Downtown Seattle, DSA ensures that Downtown is a world-class place to live, work, shop and visit.
About the Metropolitan Improvement District: The Metropolitan Improvement District is a service district which provides streetscape cleaning, human services outreach, hospitality and public safety services, marketing to increase pedestrian traffic, advocacy for transportation solutions, as well as research and market analysis for businesses interested in locating Downtown. Founded by the Downtown Seattle Association in 1999, the MID is financed through an assessment on Downtown commercial and residential property owners across 285-square-blocks in Downtown Seattle.
