After a year-long hiatus, Inside, the beloved BIPOC-centered open mic series, is returning to Seattle, this time in partnership with Colman Commons in the historic Colman Building. For founder Sierra-Leone Jones, the comeback represents the restoration of a sanctuary for Black and brown creative expression.

Today, we had the absolute privilege of welcoming Laura Clise, Founder and CEO of Intentionalist. Guided on an insider walkthrough by Colman Commons Director Ashleigh McCurdy, Laura got a first look at our venue’s versatile layout and experienced an intimate, one-on-one preview of master artist Takiyah Ward’s upcoming exhibit, RETROspective.

Something extraordinary is officially coming to downtown Seattle—and we want you to be part of history. When we first stood in this space months ago, there were no studio lights, no artwork adorning the walls, and no sound system filling the room. It was an empty shell—a raw, quiet space holding nothing but a big dream and a massive promise.

From July 23–26, 2026, Colman Commons is transforming our 4,000-square-foot gallery space into the exclusive home of The RETROspective, the highly anticipated first solo exhibition by Seattle’s own Takiyah "TDUB" Ward.

Before stepping onto the set of The Pop-Up!, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Monika C. Mathews, the brilliant founder of QueenCare, into the space. She sat down with Ashleigh McCurdy for a beautiful, heart-to-heart session centered around healing, community, and the vital importance of self-care—especially for Black women.

When filmmaker and photographer Paul Sanders walked into Colman Commons with his wife Jackie, he wasn’t just planning a photo shoot—he was helping her launch a new chapter.

Paul, the founder and owner of Gravity Proof Media, is a true end-to-end creative: cinematographer, photographer, producer, director, and editor. Known in some circles as Buff Rogers, he’s spent years behind the lens telling powerful stories. This time, the story was close to home.

Seeing Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward on The Pop-Up! on Converge Media felt like a full-circle moment for us. She’s not only a powerhouse multidisciplinary artist and curator, but she’s also one of the creative forces helping shape the artistic vision of Colman Commons itself.

If you were anywhere near Pioneer Square last night, you felt the building shaking with pure joy, deep gratitude, and unmatched community power. On June 4th, we had the absolute honor of hosting a packed house to celebrate a cornerstone of Seattle community journalism and the visionary behind Converge Media—our very own Omari Salisbury!

Welcome to Colman Commons! If you walked past our new home in historic Pioneer Square last night, you definitely caught the lingering scent of incredible catering, heard the booming laughter of a packed house, and felt the intense, welcoming energy radiating through our windows.

Right now, Colman Commons is a raw work in progress—an empty shell pulsing with quiet power and immense potential. Before the final lights go up, before the walls are dressed in art, and while construction is actively underway, we are laying the groundwork for what this space will mean for Seattle.