Storefronts UN[contained] is a new artist in residence program that supports artists of color and aims to create a platform for community dialogue around critical social issues.

CoCA presents an expanded version of their CoCA Lab Artist in Residence Program which directly supports underserved artists with 1-2 month residencies in an 8’x20’ shipping container, as well as financial support. A partnership with Shunpike and 225 Roy LLC, Storefronts UN[contained], will begin in late August and run through December, 2017.

The Storefronts UN[contained] residency program is designed to support 12 socially engaged artists from a variety of disciplines that celebrate cultural diversity to explore themes of racial equity and social justice among others. As an organization that presents contemporary artists, CoCA’s aim is to create a platform that will spark community dialogue around critical social issues of today.

From September to October CoCA will extend Anastacia-Renee Tolbert’s residency and host two new artists, Eliaichi Kimaro and Juliana Kang Robinson.

Anastacia-Renee Tolbert’s will be presenting their work Do You See What You Steal? – a visual and literary response to gentrification, appropriation and the multilayered and systemic death of the black woman. The work is a combination of art, text, poetry and photography created by Tolbert and curated by Rezina Habtemariam.

Juliana Kang will be showing her work Han San which is Korean for “One Mountain” – a site specific installation exploring power dynamics in society composed of small colorful fabric pieces and scaffolding in the formation of a large mound.

Eliaichi Kimaro will be presenting The Truth Has No Borders an immersive installation exploring themes of identity, belonging, cultural inheritance and legacy. The Truth Has No Borders is an expansion of Kimaro’s multi-award winning film A lot Like You.

Storefronts UN[contained] is made possible with the support of 225 Roy LLC, Elysian Brewing and Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

About CoCA
CoCA serves the Pacific Northwest as a catalyst and forum for the advancement, development and understanding of Contemporary Art. CoCA has been a vital part of contemporary art in the Northwest for 35 years, and has operated galleries and produced events throughout the Seattle area.

About Center Steps Residential
Center Steps is planned to be a mixed use, mixed income residential property that intentionally integrates residential and open spaces with the Uptown Community. The developer, Barrientos, on behalf of 225 Roy LLC, has been an active participant in integrated arts projects for many years and have been collaborating closely with the Uptown Arts and Culture Committee (UACC) to activate the site prior to the start of construction. UACC was influential in developing the site program with Sara Everett, the Barrientos representative, who is also Board President of CoCA. The collaboration between Shunpike, CoCA, UACC and the Developer is a model of how good community collaboration can result in great ideas.

About UACC
Uptown Aliance Arts + Culture Committee serves as a community connector and catalyst for this project and for future projects. UACC’s objective is to activate the all art forms within Uptown and to create more space (both permanent and transitional) for arts and culture, in the vibrant and expanding Uptown theatre, arts and culture community.

About Shunpike
Shunpike’s mission is to provide artists with the services, resources and opportunities they need to forge their own paths to sustainable success. Shunpike envisions a community where independent artists and arts groups thrive, creatively and economically, and where their work is widely valued as fundamental to the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of Washington State.

Calendar Listing:
CoCA Storefronts UN[contained]
One time open house and artist reception, October 21, 2017, 11:30am – 3:30pm
3rd Ave N between Mercer and Roy St, Seattle, WA 98109