What began as an idea & passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Meet Ashleigh McCurdy
Executive Director
For as long as she can remember, Ashleigh McCurdy dreamed of creating a place where people felt inspired the moment they walked through the door—a place where art, culture, celebration, and community could exist beautifully under one roof.
That dream became Colman Commons.
As the Founder, Proprietor, and Executive Director of Colman Commons, Ashleigh has created more than an event venue or art gallery. She has built a destination designed to celebrate creativity, cultivate connection, and honor the stories that shape our communities. Every detail—from the thoughtfully curated interiors to the experiences hosted within its walls—reflects her belief that beautiful spaces have the power to bring people together and leave a lasting impact.
Ashleigh's professional journey has always been rooted in design, storytelling, and creating memorable experiences. With more than a decade of experience in interior design, event planning, event production, branding, marketing, and business strategy, she has partnered with individuals, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and organizations to transform ideas into thoughtfully executed events and beautifully designed environments. Her signature approach blends timeless elegance with intentional hospitality, ensuring every gathering feels as meaningful as it is memorable.
While Colman Commons serves as the heart of her work, Ashleigh also provides full-service event planning, event design, styling, organization, and creative consulting for clients hosting events throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether an event takes place at Colman Commons, in a private residence, at a corporate venue, or another destination, she brings the same level of creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail that has become her hallmark.
The creation of Colman Commons marked a meaningful shift in Ashleigh's career—one that aligned her professional expertise with a deeply personal purpose. She recognized that Seattle deserved a space that was not only beautifully designed, but intentionally created to celebrate Black artists, amplify diverse voices, support entrepreneurs, and provide a welcoming home for gatherings that matter. She envisioned a place where exhibitions, conversations, celebrations, performances, workshops, and milestones could all coexist—where culture is honored, creativity is nurtured, and community is strengthened.
Today, that vision continues to guide every decision she makes.
Whether she is designing an unforgettable celebration, curating an art exhibition, consulting with a client, or welcoming guests into Colman Commons for the very first time, Ashleigh's mission remains the same: to create spaces that inspire, experiences that connect people, and moments that become lasting memories.
Because at the heart of every beautiful space is something even more important—a sense of belonging.
What sets us apart isn’t just our process—it’s the intention behind it. We take time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn.
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Meet Takiya “TDub” Ward
Art Director & Curator
Takiyah “TDUB” Ward is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and creative director born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Her practice spans painting, installation, fashion, dance, storytelling, and cultural programming, using creative expression as a tool to preserve culture, cultivate community, and reimagine how people engage with art.
Ward came up making work that left her hands: custom sneakers and apparel for clients, murals for communities, performances for audiences. Her output has become a defining part of Seattle’s creative landscape, with a career rooted in collaboration, public art, and community-driven cultural experiences. In 2020, she organized the landmark Black Lives Matter street mural on Capitol Hill, a work of collective public art that drew international attention. She later hosted Art of the Matter with Converge Media, highlighting the artists, thinkers, and cultural leaders shaping the Pacific Northwest's creative ecosystem.
As the founder of The Re-Sole 206, the Pacific Northwest's first dedicated sneaker cleaning, restoration, and customization studio, Ward has spent years studying material culture through the lens of footwear—exploring craftsmanship, preservation, and the stories embedded in the objects people wear. This perspective informs a broader artistic practice centered on memory, identity, design, and the relationship between everyday objects and cultural history.
Today, Ward serves as Creative Director of Colman Commons, Seattle's artist-centered cultural venue in Pioneer Square. In this role, she is developing a framework for meaningful, artist-centered gallery experiences that move beyond traditional exhibitions to foster dialogue, participation, and lasting relationships between artists and audiences. Through exhibitions, public programming, media production, and interdisciplinary collaborations, she is building a model that prioritizes artists’ creative agency, economic sustainability, and community impact.
Whether creating original artwork, curating exhibitions, or designing cultural experiences, Ward’s work is guided by a simple belief: art should not only be seen—it should create connection, invite participation, and leave communities stronger than it found them.