CELEBRATING 3 YEARS OF A RETURN TO 'BLACK' IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT

Time really is moving faster—or at least, it feels that way. Today I learned that the days are quite literally getting shorter! It turns out we’re losing milliseconds from our once-reliable 24-hour cycle. So no, it’s not just in my head—time is slipping away. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it as the reason I constantly feel like the hours are racing by.

Speaking of time flying...

This September, ARTE NOIR will celebrate three years of being open! It’s hard to believe how quickly that milestone has arrived. While our publication launched four years ago, our physical space is now graduating from the “terrible twos” and entering what some might call the “trying threes.” In the business world, turning three is no small feat. According to labor statistics, nearly 50% of businesses don’t make it past the five-year mark. That makes this moment both meaningful and motivating—we're not just surviving, we're making real progress toward long-term sustainability.

What’s been one of our secret ingredients? Collaboration. We’ve been fortunate to work alongside an incredible array of partners. Some have come to us, and others we’ve intentionally sought out—but all of them have contributed to the heartbeat of ARTE NOIR. Their support has kept us moving, growing, and dreaming bigger.

As part of our anniversary celebration on September 20th, we are pleased to lift some of our key collaborators into central focus. These are the collaborators we are honoring:

We're honoring JACQUELINE SMITH-ARMSTRONG with the COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD. Her dedication to community is extraordinary—and matched only by her unwavering support and advocacy for ARTE NOIR. Jacqueline Smith-Armstrong lives in the Central District home her parents purchased in 1947, a powerful symbol of enduring Black homeownership in a neighborhood once shaped by redlining and now facing rapid change. In a unique and meaningful collaboration with ARTE NOIR, Jacqueline has transformed her historic home into an arts and cultural outpost—an annex space that hosts special ARTE NOIR programs and preserves a vital piece of Seattle’s cultural legacy.

STEPHANIE ELLIS-SMITH, founder and CEO of Phila Engaged Giving, is a longtime champion of Black arts and culture. In 1999, inspired by Quintard Taylor’s seminal work The Forging of a Black Community: Seattle’s Central District from 1870 through the Civil Rights Era, she founded The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas—an institution in Seattle’s cultural landscape that endures to this day. Stephanie’s passion was further shaped by her experience working with legendary artists Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence. As part of the team behind the Jacob Lawrence Catalogue Raisonné Project, she contributed to the monumental effort to locate, catalog, re-photograph, and publish the artist’s complete body of work—over 1,100 pieces—in an acclaimed two-volume publication. From the moment ARTE NOIR opened its doors, Stephanie has been one of our fiercest advocates and most generous collaborators. In recognition of her unwavering support and visionary leadership, we are proud to honor her with the COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT AWARD.

What began as a labor of love—crafting body care essentials for friends and family—has grown into a beloved brand anchored in purpose and care. MENKELI KANAA, founder of DOTI, has been a vital part of ARTE NOIR from day one, consistently delivering high-quality, natural skincare products that our community has come to rely on. With simple, elegant packaging and thoughtfully chosen ingredients, DOTI has become a staple on our shelves. Menkeli’s attention to detail—like curating products perfect for travel and addressing the often-overlooked skincare needs of men—has made DOTI the go-to for those seeking natural, effective solutions for radiant skin. Her spirit of innovation and unwavering commitment to collaboration ensure that ARTE NOIR is always stocked with what our audience wants—and more importantly, what they need. For her creativity, consistency, and heartfelt care, we are proud to honor Menkeli with the COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION AWARD.

Even before ARTE NOIR opened its doors, the Central District was already pulsing with a vibrant resurgence of Black art and culture—thanks to the visionary work of Wa Na Wari. Just one block away, a reclaimed, Black-owned home had been transformed into a dynamic hub for creativity and community. Inside its walls: film, food, music, and some of the most compelling art exhibitions in the city. In the Nigerian Kalabari language, Wa Na Wari means “home”—and that’s exactly what it is: a welcoming, affirming space where Black culture is celebrated and preserved. Co-founders Elisheba Johnson and Inye Wokoma have been among ARTE NOIR’s most steadfast supporters and collaborative partners. Their annual Walk the Block event aligned beautifully with our grand opening weekend in 2022, and since then, our partnership has flourished. Together, and during Walk the Block (September 27th this year), we've activated the Midtown Public Square as a powerful canvas for shared storytelling and celebration. In honor of their deep love for community—and their enduring support of ARTE NOIR—we are proud to present ELISHEBA JOHNSON AND INYE WOKOMA with the COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD.

During the development of the Midtown Square arts plan, a collective of eight local artists and arts advocates came together to identify the right voices for the public art opportunities across the site. An open call drew interest from more than 100 artists, each eager to contribute to the cultural fabric of the Central District. Among them was a soft-spoken yet electrifying young artist whose concept, new perspectives, immediately stood out.

With bold vision and nuanced creativity, barry johnson reimagined the color Black—not as a monolith, but as a spectrum—exploding it into layers of depth, energy, and vibrancy. His resulting mural now wraps the north and west-facing facades of Midtown Square in a powerful, celebratory display of Black identity and expression. Since then, barry’s artistic journey has soared. His work now graces building exteriors across Seattle, including his contribution to the Capitol Hill BLACK LIVES MATTER street mural. He is featured in prominent private collections and is represented by Winston Wächter Fine Art. For the boldness of his vision, the breadth of his impact, and his enduring contribution to the city’s creative landscape, we are honored to present barry johnson with the CITYWIDE COLLABORATIVE IMPACT AWARD.

The ARTE NOIR gallery presents four dynamic exhibitions each year, celebrating the brilliance and creativity of Black artists. While these exhibits have always been rich in expression and excellence, they were missing one vital element: critical analysis from an experienced Black voice grounded in the nuances of Black art. This perspective is often absent—if not entirely overlooked—in traditional art spaces, which made it all the more essential to include it here. Enter BEVERLY AARONS. A multidisciplinary artist, writer, and thinker, Beverly explores the intersections of history, hidden truths, and imagined futures. Her work is driven by a commitment to making the unseen seen—unearthing perspectives that are too often ignored or erased. Through her editorial contributions to our gallery exhibitions, Beverly has brought powerful context and clarity to the work on display, allowing visitors not only to see the art, but to understand its deeper roots, intentions, and cultural significance.

For her thoughtful and transformative analysis—an enhancement that has deepened every viewer’s experience—we proudly honor Beverly Aarons with the COLLABORATIVE EDITORIAL IMPACT AWARD.

We've wanted to lift up our partners by publicly recognizing just how important they are to ARTE NOIR, and the entire Black arts ecosystem, and now we are. We hope you'll join us in honoring them at Fade to Black, the ARTE NOIR 3rd anniversary celebration, September 20, 2025, celebrating The Spirit of Collaboration.

PURCHASE YOUR FADE TO BLACK TICKETS

Vivian Phillips, Founder + Board President

Artist Christopher Coleman leads a painting workshop during Walk the Block 2024. Credit Hilary Northcraft.