Inside Colman Commons: Welcoming Takiyah Ward’s "The RETROspective" for Seattle Art Fair Week
Here at Colman Commons, our mission has always been to serve as a launchpad for community-driven programming, culture-shifting activations, and contemporary art that tells the real stories of our city. As the Pacific Northwest descends upon Pioneer Square for the tenth anniversary of the Seattle Art Fair, we are thrilled to host a landmark moment in local cultural history.
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.
If you know Seattle art, you know Takiyah’s work—she is the visionary who organized the historic 2020 Black Lives Matter street mural in Capitol Hill and the mastermind behind The Re-Sole 206, the region's only dedicated sneaker restoration facility. Now, she’s bringing her unparalleled expertise from the workbench straight to our gallery walls.
Takiyah “TDUB” Ward
Takiyah is the visionary who organized the historic 2020 Black Lives Matter street mural in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle.
More Than Hype: A Masterclass in Material and Design
The RETROspective isn't a display of sneaker memorabilia or resell culture. Instead, it is a rigorous, breathtaking study of design, form, and function. Ward has created 13 original physical artworks, each dedicated to a single silhouette from the iconic Air Jordan 1 through 13 lineup.
"I've spent my life inches away from these shoes. This show is me handing everyone else the magnifying glass." — Takiyah "TDUB" Ward
By zooming past the hype, these works isolate the stunning relationship between materials—the contrast of tumbled leather against a foam midsole, the intersection of python embossing and a rubber outsole. In pieces like ELEVEN, Ward completely flips our expectations, transforming patent leather and ballistic mesh into a sweeping black-and-white landscape of rolling hills and sun rays. It’s a brilliant exploration of how an athletic shoe evolved into one of the most obsessed-over design objects in modern human history.
WATCH: Behind the scenes as Takiyah Ward creates “Eleven”
Four Days of Activations at Colman Commons
We aren’t just hanging art on the walls and calling it a day. Together with Takiyah, we’ve curated a full four-day experience that blends fine art, deep conversation, and community exchange.
Plan your weekend with us using the schedule below:
Thursday, July 23
Public Opening
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Be the first to experience the collection. The exhibition officially opens to the public, free of charge.
Friday, July 24
Private Gallery Tours
By Appointment
Get a behind-the-scenes look. Book an intimate walkthrough of the 13 works directly with Takiyah Ward.
Saturday, July 25
SOLE STORY Panel
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
A heavy-hitting panel discussing the state, history, and future of the sneaker game hosted by Ward. Featuring Holiday Black, Jordan Knox, Brandie Henry, and Rex Prasad.
Sunday, July 26
SOLE SWAP
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Clear out your closets and bring your heat. A community clothing and sneaker exchange hosted in collaboration with AFROsaphix.
Plan Your Visit
Colman Commons is located at 811 1st Ave, Suite 91M, right in the heart of historic Pioneer Square. Because we are just a short, waterfront-adjacent walk from the Lumen Field Event Center (the main hub of the Seattle Art Fair), we invite all collectors, creators, and neighbors to stop by and experience this incredible exhibition.
Admission: Completely free and open to the public.
Private Tour Bookings: Spots for Friday’s artist-led tours are limited. Secure your appointment today by emailing theresole206@gmail.com or visiting us online at colmancommons.com.
We can't wait to welcome you through our doors to witness The RETROspective. Pull up, bring your passion for the culture, and let's celebrate one of Seattle's finest artists.
