This year, CityArtist awarded 25 artists from various fields of work ranging from literature to media/film with $185,000 in funding to create art throughout Seattle. Two 2023 CityArtist awardees, Ellen Sollod and David Quantic, will present their reflections at the virtual 2023 CityArtist Share Out taking place on Sept. 8.
2023 CityArtist Share Out
Sept. 8, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Online (Zoom); Free with registration
The CityArtist Share Out serves as an opportunity for artists to learn from fellow peers about the unfolding of their newly funded work along with lessons, tips, and contacts they gained along the process.
Meet the Presenters
Ellen Sollod
Interdisciplinary Artist
Project Description: Complete and produce an edition of 50 small-scale, approximately 80-page-length, hardbound artist books titled The Book of Small Regrets with drawings, photographs, and text. It was conceived in response to the forced isolation of COVID when small slights seem catastrophic.
“The Book of Small Regrets was created in response to the COVID-19 crisis when even the smallest mistakes could seem catastrophic. Ellen tapped her social network to contribute their own small regrets, impulse purchases and “comfort” foods to which they turned to manage their pandemic anxiety. These acted as prompts for the creation of the book.
As an artist-conceived and designed book, it straddles the genres of visual art and writing. While it is a traditional codex form, it expands the definition of what a book can be and encourages the reader/viewer to broaden their own preconceived notions of a “book.” Combining writing, drawing, and photography, the book explores the universal experiences we all have as human beings with foibles and challenges. It brings together a light-hearted touch with a sense of humility.”
Ellen Sollod
David Quantic
Editor & Filmmaker
Project Description: Complete an hour-long podcast and a 5-minute documentary focused on queer coming-of-age/ways queer people discover their sexual preferences.
“I created a short documentary titled It’s Not a Phase as part of my CityArtist grant. For this project, I gathered all of my past podcast interviews of female-identified, trans, non-binary, and genderqueer interviewees and edited a 10-minute film that features them sharing thoughts about first sexual experimentations, first love, and lessons that interviewees have learned about sex and intimacy since coming out.
The film debuted at my Passionfruit event that was also supported by the CityArtist grant.”
David Quantic
About CityArtist
The CityArtist program supports Seattle-based individual artists/curators in the research, development, and presentation of their work. The 2023 application is open to dancers/choreographers, musicians/composers or theater-makers (including playwrights). Awarded artists will need to offer a public presentation within Seattle city limits. The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture supports a broad range of artistic and cultural expression reflecting the city’s diversity.
