Galleries Overflow at Pioneer Square for the Monthly Art Walk

Patrons view David Haughton’s 2023 work at Gallery 110 / The Evergreen Echo

It may have been the steadily warming weather, but there was a notable flood of people at this month’s Pioneer Square Art Walk. The art walk happens every first Thursday of the month. Galleries in the neighborhood have extended open hours to showcase new collections and artists through the evening. Many of the galleries serve wine, some with more beverage choices or live music. 

Some gallery shows have taken the back seat for solo artist shows during this month’s art walk. Instead, many galleries have chosen to put out finely curated collections such as Element:Air at the Foster White Gallery. The collection showcases how air lives in media from painting to sculpture. Some of the art at the Foster White were works shown at the gallery over the past year and some new. There is a continuity of motion throughout the main gallery area with an easy wander through the room of flying airplanes, reeds dancing in the wind, and birds mid-flight carved from beautiful stones. One piece in Foster White this month is a glass sculpture of John de Wit’s Cold 1046.15 (2015). It was reminiscent of Coperni’s recent 1% glass, 99% air swoop bag. John de Wit’s glass was infused with an admirable amount of detailed patterns throughout the 360-experience and never had a dull moment reflecting on the impressive crafting and use of material. 

Over at AXIS Gallery on 1st Ave, the main show area is not by a solo artist but rather paintings by many artists across vast themes of work are on display for the 2024 Benefit Art Auction: Florescence held from March 7 - 24, 2024. Throughout the auction period, bids can be placed online. This first Thursday art walk marked the start of the auction period and the gallery surely celebrated the event serving a long line of patrons their wine. Artist Trust is hosting a brunch on Sunday, March 24, from 12 noon to 3pm to top off the auction. During the main event, there will be a live auction for exclusive items. Of course, since it is brunch there will be food, passed hors d’oevres, and a hosted bar. Tickets start at $120 with tables available. Visit artisttrustauction.org for more information. 

While these galleries have opted out of a solo artist show this month, Michael Abraham stood at the East gallery at Gallery 110 filling the back room with paintings from 2012 to 2024. A patron in the gallery said the collection could be connected with the word fun. One of the works hanging in the gallery, Leap of Faith, was recently taken down from the artist’s home and now showcased live on the market. Leap of Faith spans a bright, sunless vista with whimsical, cartoonish figures in flight, an appearance of a religious man and a propeller helmeted daredevil stuntman. Abraham also has a painting, Sculptor Sculpting Sculpture (In Flow) on display – say that three times fast! This oil on linen piece tickles the little edges of the mouth with a warm glow of wholesomeness. The sculptor is in his zone, chipping away at stone revealing a happy, dancing pair of people with tight smiles to match his own. Everywhere across the painting evidenced this man’s simple joy of chipping away stone, an artist meant to create. 

Walking down the cobblestone of Occidental Square and up discreet stairs another artist took well deserved space at Figure Ground art gallery. Amy Erickson brings in a crowd with a recent collection on display with a solo show. Oil paintings captured the beautiful nude flow of the figures’ bodies. Brush strokes were so politely placed, seeming as if the figure was almost caressed. The canvases ranged from small frames to larger masterpieces taking up entire walls. Some smaller figures were painted as if viewing with squinted eyes interestingly inching closer to catch a glimpse at them. In one of the largest works at the show, the painted figure came alive as one of Erickson’s figure models made an in-person appearance to the show sharing insights and details on her experience as the artist’s model and muse.

Contained within a very walkable distance and growing food choices in the area, the Pioneer Square Art Walk is a great addition to your routine to digest art and maybe end up with a new work in the home. There are so many galleries, it would be nearly impossible to view all the new art in one extended evening. Go throughout the month before they are off rotation or off the market. Sign up for gallery mailing lists to be updated on artists coming to the local area.