SOIL Gallery

Address: 112 3rd Ave. South, Seattle WA 98104
Contact: Ellen Ziegler
Email: ellen@ellenziegler.com
Website: www.soilart.org
Open Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 5 pm.

How is the project operated?
Artist-run, non-profit.

How long has it been in existence?
Since 1995; 20 years.

What was your motivation?
SOIL exists as an experimental venue for artists and curators to exhibit, develop, and advance innovative art of diverse media and content.

Number of organizers/responsible persons of the project.
We have about 20 – 24 members at any one time.

How are programs funded?
Members pay monthly dues; our largest fundraising effort is a yearly auction. We receive small grants as well.

Who is responsible for the programming?
Member artists are responsible for programming; shows are selected by a 2/3 vote of members present.

Number and average duration of exhibitions/events per year.
12 monthly exhibitions/year. Each month is typically a curated exhibit in the front of the gallery space with a member’s solo show in the back of the space. The cooperative has been in existence for twenty years and has been consistent in showing a different exhibition each month that opens on every first Thursday.

What kind of events are usually organized?
Our events include a First Thursday opening, gallery talks by artists, an auction/party once a year, outreach events to bring new people to the gallery.

How is your programming determined? Do you accept proposals/submissions?
We have a call for submissions about every 12 months; this is how we program the gallery. We accept submissions for shows of two artists or more; solo shows are not considered. All proposals are viewed by the membership and accepted or declined on a 2/3 vote.

What is your artistic/curatorial approach?
We have shown painting, drawing, sculpture, light based work, wax art, chocolate art, plaster art, interactive art, gerbil art, new media, sculptural installations, sound installations, experiential installations and video. We have also hosted poetry readings, performances, musical events, and other unclassified art… In other words, SOIL will show almost anything, provided it is accepted by the membership.

What’s working?
SOIL is run as a cooperative, and it seems to be working very well. We have received substantial local as well as national press attention. Some of our members have been with the gallery for 15 years. A culture of listening to each other, mutual support, a distinct lack of competition among members, and above all, our mission to bring interesting work from all over the world to Seattle, has sustained SOIL as an ongoing successful gallery.