FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2016
Contact: Capitol Hill Arts District Co-Chairs
Michael Seiwerath, mseiwerath@capitolhillhousing.org 206-204-3840
Tonya Lockyer tonya@velocitydancecenter.org (206) 325-8773
Velocity Dance Center and Capitol Hill Arts District to activate space
(Seattle, WA) — In one of the fastest moving markets in the nation, Seattle arts groups are digging in for space activation. In the original home of the nation’s largest retail coop, and more recently a well-loved neighborhood Value Village, V2 is set to open. Occupying a classic Pike-Pine auto row building, V2 will temporarily bring 30,000 new square feet of arts space to Seattle’s Capitol Hill.
An initiative of the Capitol Hill Arts District, managed by Velocity, V2 will house programs for a number of resident arts organizations, as well as special events in this stunning, light-filled space. Velocity secured the lease with property owner Legacy Commercial, will provide overall management for the space, and oversee bookings as part of its ongoing commitment to community activation on the Hill.
The City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture is investing $20,000 to help make V2 possible. “Seattle’s first Arts & Cultural District, the Capitol Hill neighborhood, already plays a special role in the cultural life of the city,” stated Mayor Ed Murray. “Through a strong neighborhood partnership, city funds will support V2 as a new dedicated space for artistic expression. We look forward to working with the community to develop additional arts and cultural spaces throughout the neighborhood.”
A truly collaborative project, V2 will house the theater lights and seating for neighboring Hugo House while their new home is built, with furniture donated by PEMCO insurance. Seattle Center is donating a portable dance floor to Velocity to cover the uneven surfaces on the ground floor. Velocity will use the space to meet the growing space needs of its Creative Residencies, producing programs, and international summer festival. One Reel will relocate its offices to the top floor and members of the Capitol Hill Arts District will be activating the downstairs stage and windows.
V2 will provide low-cost rental space in the center of the Capitol Hill Arts District and a gathering place for rehearsals, events, artist residencies, community forums and the monthly Second Thursday Art Walk.
“The demand for affordable arts space has been unrelenting,” stated Tonya Lockyer, Velocity’s Artistic Director. “V2 will allow us a second space to program, and to help more artists than ever. Amazingly, the top-level hardwood floors are in near perfect condition. To have a beautiful floor in a pillar-free space that big, is heaven for dancers. It’s like a musician entering a thrift shop and finding a Stradivarius.”
“A key goal of the Capitol Hill Arts District has been to create and preserve arts space in Pike-Pine,” stated Michael Seiwerath, Arts District co-chair. “While this is only a temporary solution, V2 will provide space to scores of artists. This collaboration is a model for how to take on large projects at a time when Seattle can seem unaffordable to artists.”
Property owner Legacy Commercial is generously offering the space extremely below market rent for a short term, until the building is redeveloped.
V2 is tentatively scheduled to open in early March 2016. For information about renting the space contact Velocity at cait@velocitydancecenter.org. Interested in volunteering? Sign up HERE.
From L to R: Michael Seiwerath, Matthew Richter, Jill Leininger, and Tonya Lockyer in V2; Photo by Dylan Ward