619 artists told to move early + no more art walks
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619 artists told to move early + no more art walks

There are quite a few articles this week talking about the artists who have studios in the hotly contested 619 Western Building. Instead of their original spring move-out deadline, at least 8 months away, they have now been told that need to be out in just two months.

And to add insult to injury, they have been notified that they are not going to be able to participate in any more art walks, with the cut off deadline set as August 1st, four days before the monthly Art Walk would have been held. Because of the timing of the announcement, artists had no idea that the ArtWalk in July was the last one they would be able to participate in that building.

From the Seattle Times:

Johnny O’Brady, a painter who has represented the artist group, said Wednesday he’d probably organize a farewell event next week. “A lot of people, you’ve been seeing them for years. It would be nice to say goodbye,” he said.

I talked to some 619 artists from Constellation + Co at the Seattle Square Market yesterday, who had just moved into the building in January. They set up their letterpress shop, thinking that they would be able to work there at least until next March, making it worth the effort of getting their 1,200 lb letterpress machine onto the sixth floor. (love their print below)

Like many other artists in the building, they are now scrambling to find a new place for their studio that is affordable and will provide the same atmosphere as Pioneer Square.

WSDOT and City representatives have announced a meeting for the tenants this month to provide an opportunity for them to ask questions about the situation, as well as WSDOT’s relocation assistance program.

My only hope is that in addition to providing funds to help the artists move, that they are also working on options to help them stay in or close to Pioneer Square.

619 Western Tenants Must Leave Six Months Earlier Than Expected (PubliCola)

WSDOT on Eviction Letters Sent to 619 Western Tenants: It Has Nothing to Do With the Tunnel (Seattle Weekly)

Western Building ‘unsafe’: repair or vacate by Oct. 1 (DJC)

619 Western Tenants: Hosed Again (Seattlest)

Artists have to move early after 619 Western Building declared unsafe (Seattle PI)

619 Tenants Get Sudden Eviction Notice, and Notice That No More Art Walks Are Allowed (SLOG)

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