It All Begins Here

How do we represent the Black experience through art? Artist Jonarra Swanson recently brought her palpable vision of hope and resilience to Colman Commons where she toured us through her striking paintings that honor Black identity, spirituality, and history. 

Swanson’s featured collection showcases pieces that capture the strength, beauty, and emotional depth of her subjects. In works like "As Long As the Sun Rises So Will I" and "If it is Dark I will Draw the Light," she explored themes of daily determination, human rights, and maternal devotion. Each painting radiates an inner light, reflecting Swanson's belief in reclaiming humanity and crafting one's own destiny even amid hardship and dark times.

Grounded in intense self-belief, Swanson's journey from selling prints on the Seattle streets to exhibiting at major venues exemplifies the transformative power of art. Her exhibit represents the enduring spirit of Black culture and a glowing invitation for viewers to experience the uplifting energy of her art.

This Friday, September 25th, from 5 to 8 p.m. marks the public's last opportunity to view her work at Colman Commons during the Downtown Seattle Art Walk. Don't miss the chance to see these incredible pieces up close.

Learn more about Swanson’s art at www.jonarra.com  

At Colman Commons, we never go out of style. Earlier this summer, Colman Commons lit up as Afrosapphix and The Re-Sole 206 joined forces to host SOLEswap, a clothing swap and celebration of Black queer style, self-expression, and mutual aid.

Founded by Mikayla Weary, Afrosapphix curated an intentional experience that paired fresh wardrobe additions with hands-on styling advice. Serving as an intergenerational oasis, the gathering filled a space for Washington state’s Black sapphic community.

The heart of the event featured a room of free, community-donated apparel, with a focus on masculine-presenting fashion, giving attendees the freedom to explore and elevate their personal aesthetic without financial barriers.

Alongside the swap, a panel of guest stylists shared insights into the industry, framing fashion as a catalyst for radical self-love and solidarity. Through film, photography, and storytelling, Afrosapphix continues to document and uplift these moments, preserving the rich, evolving narrative of Seattle's Black queer community.

Learn more about Afrosapphix and upcoming events on Instagram.

Learn more about The Re-Sole 206 at theresole206.com

How can the Seattle arts community better invest in Black creatives? Artist Symonne Larison tells us how in a recent conversation at Colman Commons, where she brought high saturation, deep contrast, and blunt honesty with her immaculate collection. Her pieces on display balance a dual purpose: celebrating intimate cultural rituals and individual confidence within the Black community.

By capturing sacred communal moments like hair styling alongside solitary depictions of strong Black masculinity, Larison aims to create a space where young Black people can finally see themselves represented and reflected on gallery walls.

The exhibition features distinct works like “Come Sit Youngblood” and “Girl I Got You,” which explore the bonding and unspoken cultural connection of hair rituals, as well as “See All Evil,” a portrait highlighting quiet solitude and unshakeable confidence. 

Rather than allowing Black art to be limited to a token checkbox during designated heritage months, Larison views Colman Commons as a permanent cultural anchor and a true third place for authentic programming. Her exhibition is a direct call to action, urging the Seattle art community to move past performative allyship and invest in local creatives right now by buying tickets, supporting events, and purchasing original artwork.

Larison’s portraits can currently be viewed at Colman Commons. Updates on her upcoming exhibitions and future projects can be found on her Instagram.

Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com

What a powerful, room-packing night at Colman Commons!

Last Friday, Inside officially returned with their BIPOC-centered open mic residency, and the energy in Pioneer Square was unmatched. From line-around-the-block crowds to raw, unfiltered poetry, comedy, and music—this was community in its purest form.

Huge gratitude to the entire inside team for creating such an intentional, safe space where artists can speak their truth, feel loved, and simply be themselves. As one performer shared last night: "Having spaces like this saves lives."

Colman Commons is proud to be the physical home for moments like this.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next inside Open Mic Night is coming up on Friday, August 28th!

Colman Commons | 811 1st Ave, Pioneer Square

Learn more about upcoming events & space bookings: www.colmancommons.com

Colman Commons recently hosted the SOLE Swap, an event that gathered artists and fashion lovers that seamlessly combined a clothing swap, a live styling session, and an engaging panel discussion into a single experience.

The event successfully brought together community members who actively participated in both swapping clothes and learning about fashion. People walked away with new clothes as well as practical styling tips. 

Missed it? Stay connected. More inspiring conversations and cultural experiences are on the way.

Learn more about Colman Commons at colmancommons.com

Sneakers tell stories, and today, we celebrated the culture behind every pair.

The recent SOLE Story event at Colman Commons brought together a panel of community powerhouses, influencers, collectors, creatives, and lifelong sneaker enthusiasts for a conversation about the impact of sneaker culture.

From iconic releases and personal collections to the ways sneakers intersect with identity, fashion, community, and self-expression, the discussion was rich with history, perspective, and passion. Every panelist shared not only their love for the culture but also how it has shaped their personal and professional journeys.

A special thank you to our Art Director and today’s conversation moderator, Takiyah Ward as well as her guests and panelists Holiday Black, Rex Prasaa, Jordan Knox, and Brandie Henry for bringing your voices, experiences, and authentic love for sneaker culture to the conversation. And thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and helped create such an incredible afternoon.

Colman Commons is committed to creating spaces where culture is celebrated, stories are shared, and community comes together.

Missed it? Stay connected. More inspiring conversations and cultural experiences are on the way.

Learn more about Colman Commons at colmancommons.com