We’ve invited five guest panelists to be a part of a roundtable discussion on Friday evening at the offices of Design Kompany on this topic:
Sustaining the arts in Capitol Hill

Design Kompany has been intrigued by the number of people in government, real estate, and arts advocacy attending public forums on keeping the arts thriving in dense Seattle neighborhoods like Capitol Hill. The first of these was in January, the second more recently at City Hall, called ‘Make Room for Art: cultural overlay districts for Seattle’ .
In listening to a lot of people from nonprofits and government groups talk about this topic, DK recognizes one important voice is missing from the table.
The artist’s.
And who are artists, anyway? What do they do with grants that are already distributed? What is art? Why does it matter? The great existential questions applied to a rather ambiguous segment. Are artists looking for support? If so, in what way?
To find out, we’re hosting ‘Flourish:’ a roundtable discussion on how to keep sustainable communities going from the artists’ point of view. Join us if you have an opinion about how to best keep arts and culture alive in Capitol Hill.
Guest panelists include:
- Architect and artist Jonathan Junker of Graypants. Here’s how we met Graypants
- Bruce Rutledge of publishing company Chin Music Press. How we got to know Bruce and Chin Music Press
- Justin Carder, or “JSeattle,” of the neighborhood blog CapitolHillSeattle.com
- Capitol Hill real estate expert Joe Nabbefeld
- Roland Morgan of Capitol Hill video company Pravda Studios
Moderated by Akira Morita and hosted by Dipika Kohli of Design Kompany.
RSVPs are required, and we’ll send you directions and a reminder. RSVP to flourish [at] design-kompany.com.
‘Flourish:’
An open dialogue roundtable
‘What is the Role of the Artist?’
Friday, April 25 :: 5 to 7pm
@ Kornerhaus [the offices of DK]
Free with registration
RSVP to flourish [at] design-kompany.com
Also see:
DK Field Report: Can arts and condos co-exist?
DK’s take on City Hall forum Make Room for the Arts: cultural overlay districts for Seattle
Update May 2008
So incredibly engaging was this, the people who came asked Design Kompany to organize a Flourish sequel. Stay tuned.







I cannot find anything about flourish 3. will there be more? Does anyone have suggestions for the best sites providing info on overlay districts?
It makes me smile to hear the news that so many people are interested in the arts. I think that if more people would take an interest in them, the world might be a more peaceful place.
Palo Alo Real estate,
Thanks for the comment. Check with the city of Seattle for info on CODAC.
Todd,
Interestingly, I’ve been meaning to post about something I read recently. It is a designer’s answer to the question, “What is the role of the artist?” He says, “to give form to the essence of something.”
What do you all think? Does that sound right to you?
interesting information, I agree the artist is always left out
I’m new to all of this and wondering what’s it all
about. Can some one fill me in?