Pursuing Arts Opportunities in the Business Sector

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About this Town Hall

Businesses, corporations, and property developers in the Northwest work in partnership with artists and arts advocates to make art a part of their buildings and company culture. This panel continues a conversation Artist Trust presented earlier this year on finding support for your art in the corporate world by bringing together artists and arts advocates working with businesses on arts opportunities. Artists Aramis O. Hamer and Clyde Petersen offer insight into pursuing opportunities with corporations and property developers, such as Amazon, Vulcan, and others. Arts advocate Vivian Phillips discusses her work on the Midtown Center development and the City of Seattle’s Creative Economy Strategy and how artists can connect with these opportunities and others. Real estate development company, StoryBuilt, shares information about its Artist Program, which provides artists with access to vacant properties to use in productive and creative ways.

A Q&A follows the conversation. Moderated by arts leader Leilani Lewis.

Presented by Artist Trust in partnership with the Central District Forum.

About the Panelists

Aramis O. Hamer is a visual artist and muralist living in Seattle, WA. Her subject matter is inspired by the cosmos, music, nature, divine femininity, and the complexities throughout the Black culture. From a very young age she always loved to create, but at the age of fifteen she discovered her love for acrylic paints. With the supportive art community in the Pacific Northwest, Aramis has been able to exhibit her colorful creations at many different exhibitions in the greater Seattle area- including the EMP Museum, Paramount Theater, Martyr Sauce Gallery, Columbia City Gallery, and more. Aramis created the iconic purple goddess in 2016 for KEXP radio station at Seattle Center which became a catalyst to her art career. You can find many of her designs all over the city including Jimi Hendrix Park. As a self-taught artist, Aramis lets the pull of her imagination be her guide. Her adventure is just beginning, and she invites others to join her on this journey. Learn more about Aramis’ work at www.aohamer.com

Leilani Lewis is a Seattle-born creative arts administrator and communications professional who is passionate about social justice, art, and culture. She has demonstrated experience with forging critical partnerships across organizations and building collaborative projects to support artists and fellow administrators. As a Seattle University alumna and graduate of Leadership Tomorrow, Ms. Lewis’s work is driven by her strongly held values of compassionate, servant leadership, creating connections across difference, and lifting as we climb. She lives her values through her team building efforts centered on inclusive practices in her current role as Assistant Director of Diversity Communications. She also spends much of her time as an active volunteer, board member, and mentor within the arts community. Leilani Lewis’s work in art and in life is to clear away obstacles that stand in the pathways of equity, cultural production, and excellence.

Clyde Petersen is a Seattle-based artist, working in film, animation, music, installation and fabulous spectacle. He is a proud member of the transgender and queer communities in Seattle. Clyde is the director of “Torrey Pines,” an autobiographical stop-motion animated feature film, which premiered in October 2016 and toured the world with a live score for 2 years. He recently had a solo exhibition at the Bellevue Arts Museum, featuring a life-size Ford Econoline tour van built entirely of cardboard.

He travels the world with his band Your Heart Breaks and hosts the internet film series “Boating with Clyde,” in a small handmade boat in the Washington Park Arboretum. His award-winning work has been featured around the world in museums, galleries and DIY venues. Clyde is currently working on two new feature films, expected to be compete in 2020. In addition to all of this magic, he is establishing an artist residency program on an island in the Salish Sea.

Vivian Phillips is a veteran communications professional, known for her collaborative style in building partnerships and engaging communities. Her body of work spans independent theatre producing, television production and hosting, teaching, and management. Vivian has served in numerous non-profit and government-related capacities including director of marketing and communications for the Seattle Theatre Group, director of communications for a Seattle Mayor, interim director of the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, managing director of The Hansberry Project, and as an international representative to the Africa Contemporary Arts Consortium. She served six years on the Seattle Arts Commission and as chair for three years. Vivian currently provides independent consultancy for projects related to arts inclusion in local developments, arts and equity, arts and humanities, community engagement, and technical assistance and marketing for artists and arts programs. Vivian serves on the boards of KUOW/PSPR, U of W Foundation, and 4Culture. She is a native of Seattle and resides in the Central Area of the city.

StoryBuilt, formerly PSW Real Estate, builds urban ecosystems in Seattle, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. Through its Artist Program, StoryBuilt supports local artists by giving them an opportunity to use vacant properties in productive and creative ways. The Artist Program has hosted many artists and arts communities, including a community radio station, several gallery spaces, three mural projects, and pop-up yoga studios. More information: storybuilt.com

Have questions?

Email Program Coordinator Zach Frimmel here.

 

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Aramis HamerCdforumClyde PetersenLeilani LewisSupport For Your ArtTown HallVivian Phillips