Seattle Restored Announces Fifteen Artists for Subsidized Rent at Base Camp Studios 2
Media Contact: Myles Haslam, Director of Communications & Development (Shunpike) | myles@shunpike.org
Seattle Restored announces fifteen artists and creative entrepreneurs selected to sign a one-year lease with Base Camp Studios 2, with Seattle Restored subsidizing 50% of the current market rate for these studios’ rent.
The selected participants are Nahom Ghirmay, Dollhou3e, Shadow Girls Cult, Gabriel Zea, Emerald City Dispatch, Claudia Villalobos, Everett M. Lovrien, Kay The Paint Lady, Jorge Cainas, Shruti Ghatak, Natasha Tripathi, Genea Morrow, Borte Batbold, Kayla Wroblewski, and Shari Noble.
“I am excited to partner with Seattle Restored to provide subsidized studio space at Base Camp Studios 2 to fifteen tremendous artists,” said Nick Ferderer, Founder & Creative Director at Base Camp Studios. “The artists are already in the space creating work to share with the community. The Base Camp Studios partnership with Seattle Restored has helped bring new creative life to a formerly long-vacant eyesore at the crossroads of the downtown retail core, Belltown, and Pike Place Market neighborhoods. This innovative public-private partnership can serve as a model for how we can creatively work together to activate our downtown for the benefit of our community.”
Located at the historic Bergman Luggage building on the corner of Third Avenue and Stewart Street in Downtown Seattle, Base Camp Studios 2 is a multipurpose artist studio space run by Ferderer. The first floor is a gallery and retail space, with 30 studios located on the second floor. The Seattle Restored partnership with Base Camp 2 is limited to 15 of the available studio spaces.
“I’m thrilled to have a studio at Base Camp 2,” said artist Nahom Ghirmay. “Being part of such a vibrant community makes it more than just a creative space, it’s a source of inspiration and creative connections. I’m deeply grateful to Seattle Restored for providing this opportunity and supporting my artistic journey.”
“We’re honored to steward this convergence of private, corporate, and public support in service of the creative community, and the common good,” said Line Sandsmark, Executive Director of Shunpike. “This two-story transformation at the corner of 3rd and Stewart is the kind of creative hub that not only helps solve immediate problems in the downtown corridor, but also paves the way for urban revitalization, creative collaboration, and great audience experiences.”
The Base Camp Studios partnership with Seattle Restored is a key initiative designed to support local artists and creative entrepreneurs to contribute to the revitalization of downtown Seattle. By subsidizing 50% of their rent for the first year, Seattle Restored is offering affordable studio space to 15 selected artists, allowing these creatives to grow their careers in a supportive environment. This collaboration is part of a larger effort to reinvigorate Seattle’s urban experience, playing a pivotal role in bringing new life to the city.
“I’m thrilled that the historic Bergman Luggage building is becoming a home for local artists,” said Markham McIntyre, Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development. “This is the kind of storefront activation we want to see! By repurposing this space into affordable art studios, we’re transforming Downtown with one-of-a-kind experiences, and we appreciate the dedication of our partners, Shunpike, Seattle Good Business Network, Base Camp, and JP Morgan Chase & Co. This is a new type of project for the City and shows the power of public-private partnerships to create a thriving Downtown.”
The public is invited to the opening of the Seattle Restored Studios at Base Camp 2 during the Belltown Art Walk on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 6-9 PM. Due to the historic condition of the building, visitors are advised that the second floor of Base Camp 2 is only accessible via the staircase on Third Avenue.
ABOUT SEATTLE RESTORED
Revitalizing Seattle neighborhoods with creativity and commerce
Seattle Restored calls our local artists and entrepreneurs to reinvigorate our city by activating empty storefronts. These projects benefit Seattle neighborhoods by creating vibrant and engaging streetscapes, while encouraging the public to support local businesses and artists – particularly historically underrepresented groups. Learn more at seattlerestored.org.
Seattle Restored is a program of Shunpike, Seattle Good Business Network, and the Seattle Office of Economic Development. Additional funding for this program is provided by JPMorgan Chase & Co.