Venue

: The Wyncote NW Forum
: 1119 8th Ave (Entrance off Seneca St.)
Seattle, 98101 United States + Google Map

Note: Town Hall events are approximately 75 minutes long.

From left to right: Headshots of Greg Lundgren, Tariqa Waters, Margo Vansynghel, Marcie Sillman

Arts & Culture

The Seattle art world has been compared to an ecosystem, where all the components – the galleries, the museums, the working artists, the collectors – contribute to the health of the whole. Life after COVID is different – less media coverage, more expensive housing, the center of gravity shifting from Pioneer Square to Georgetown – but is the scene thriving or just maintaining? Are younger patrons ready to come out of the wings? What is it like for artists to no longer see reviews of their work? We’ll look at the state of the visual arts with artists and gallerists Greg Lundgren and Tariqa Waters, Seattle Times arts reporter Margo Vansynghel, and moderator Marcie Sillman. Join us for what’s sure to be an informed and lively conversation.

Greg Lundgren, a Seattle-based artist, author, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, has made significant contributions to the art scene. He founded the Museum of Museums, a contemporary art center in Seattle, Washington. Lundgren’s Vital 5 Productions curated exhibits, publications, and issued grants, fostering creativity. In 2015, Vital 5 Productions transformed the historic King Street Station into a 22,000-square-foot contemporary art exhibition space. His funeral monument business, Lundgren Monuments, specializes in large-scale cast glass monuments, adding color and light to cemetery landscapes. Lundgren also co-founded The Order of the Good Death, reshaping end-of-life rituals and memorialization.

Tariqa Waters, founder of Martyr Sauce, transformed a 2012 art installation in Seattle’s Pioneer Square into a dynamic cultural hub. Initially a gallery, it evolved into the MS PAM (Martyr Sauce Pop Art Museum) in 2020. Waters also created the captivating TV show “Thank You, MS PAM,” which began as a short film and now airs on The Seattle Channel KCTS 9. Her celebrated work has graced galleries, Rolling Stone France, and Madame Figaro magazines. Awards include the 2016 Conductive-Garboil Grant, the Artist-Trust-Fellowship Award (2018), and The Seattle Art Museum’s Bowen Award (2023). Her solo exhibition at SAM premieres in April 2.

Margo Vansynghel is an award-winning journalist with a strong focus on arts and culture. Based in Seattle, she has received awards from organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists. She earned the Rabkin Prize in 2022 for her exceptional visual arts writing. Currently, Margo serves as an arts economy reporter at The Seattle Times, where she explores Seattle’s vibrant arts scene. Her reporting spans topics such as exhibitions, events, and funding. Recent work includes pieces on artist Alden Mason’s auction frenzy, Seattle activity recommendations, and plans to renovate the Pacific Science Center’s pools. She also spotlighted the PNW premiere of “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” at the Erickson Theatre.

Marcie Sillman is an award-winning journalist based in Seattle. A former longtime reporter at KUOW radio, Marcie’s cultural features have appeared on NPR programs including Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, as well as in national and international publications including Dance magazine. She co-hosted the podcast ‘Double Exposure’ and continues to write for the Seattle Times. She is the recipient of the 2019 Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Academy of Art.