Vignettes

Address: 1617 Yale Ave Seattle WA 98101
Contact: Sierra Stinson and Serrah Russell
Email: info@vignettes.us
Website: http://www.vignettes.us

How is the project operated?
For-profit/artist-run.

How long has it been in existence?
Since December, 2010.

What was your motivation?
To enable a space for artists to exhibit new work in a one-night only exhibition format. At the time, galleries were closing left and right in Pioneer Square, Seattle’ main gallery center. Therefore, we opened the doors to a studio apartment. We now have expanded into a one-bedroom where the living room has been turned into a gallery space to house all mediums of visual art. We also currently participate in pop-up events at homes, artist-run galleries, and other independent exhibition spaces. Starting in 2016, and as an ode to artist Jenny Holzer, Vignettes will open our windows to artists to share work with the public on the streets.

Number of organizers/responsible persons of the project.
2 – Sierra Stinson and Serrah Russell

How are programs funded?
Donations, art sales, events.

Who is responsible for the programming?
Directors / Managing Partners – Sierra Stinson (founder) and Serrah Russell

Number and average duration of exhibitions/events per year.
Approximately 12 exhibits / events per year. We began with 2 exhibitions per month, since then one exhibition per month.

What kind of events are usually organized?
Pop up art events. Site-specific installations. Collaborative multi-disciplinary art parties.

In the past we have hosted Vignettes: Love Party, ONN/OF: a light festival, and co-curated Out of Sight, a survey of contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest and NEPO 5k Don’t Run, an art walk connecting diverse neighborhoods and audiences.

How is your programming determined?
By the curatorial directors / managing partners. We focus on enabling space for under-represented artists and writers, in and outside of the region.

Do you accept proposals/submissions?
Yes, we are open to artists reaching out to us with specific ideas and work for consideration in our various venues – whether it be an online blog post, a pop-up exhibition, our Instagram @vignettesgallery weekend takeover, or a artwork they would like to sell on our online shop. 

What is your artistic/curatorial approach?
Empathetic thoughtful enabling. Art matchmaking. Space creating.

What’s working? What’s not working?
Doing what we do is always an act of discovery. What doesn’t work is when we stop pushing forward, experimenting or connecting.

What kind of role do you hope to play in your local art scene or community?
To provide space for under-represented artists to create, experiment, exhibit and connect. To encourage the support of art and artists through the sale of artworks and unique art experiences. To create connections between artists and writers and provide a space for writers to share unique and alternative voices to the public about art.

What idea are you most excited about for the future?
In 2016, we are beginning a series titled Vignettes Marquee, which will be open to the public and viewable from the outside windows of Vignettes on Capitol Hill. The project will feature mostly female and queer artists from in and outside of Seattle.

Another ongoing project Export / Import is about expanding the voice of Seattle and increasing the conversations, art making and support in Seattle. We are excited about working with artists and writers outside of Seattle and connecting them with creatives living and working in Seattle. We are working towards finding ways to exhibit Vignettes represented artists outside of Seattle and encourage them to travel, journey away from Seattle and bring their experiences back to share. 

Images courtesy of Vignettes.