Enter the ARTS at King Street Station and it’s easy to forget you’re atop Seattle’s busy train terminal.

The third-floor space was thoughtfully transformed into a glass and steel showcase by Olson Kundig and Schacht Aslani Architects, with the exclusive purpose of exhibiting the creative works of artists of color.

Research confirmed that BIPOC artists in Seattle don’t typically secure the same level of funding and exhibition opportunities as white artists. With this data in hand the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture funded the ARTS at King Street Station to create “a dynamic space for arts and culture in the heart of the city, dedicated to increasing opportunities for communities of color to generate and present their work.” Gallery admission is free to the public. 

Reopened in July 2021, the second post-pandemic exhibit begins Nov. 3, a collaborative show titled “Imminent Mode:US,” described by the gallery as “a deeper examination of where we’ve come from, why our ancestors immigrated to this land, and how our cultural differences can find harmony.” Garment Designers and fine artists were paired in order to create new work featuring a piece of wearable art and a large-scale installation based on a theme. The exhibition runs through Jan. 5. “Pantheon Anew”, composed by Seattle artist Saira Barbaric, continues through Sept. 23. The gallery describes the show as an “exhibit that traverses Barbaric’s exploration of pop culture and spiritual ideology, highlighting the stories we tell to comprehend reality and seek joy.” Content may be considered mature. For a complete ARTS at King Street Station schedule, see ARTS at King Street Station – Arts | seattle.gov

Corrections: Located on the third floor, not second. Reopened in July 2021, not July 2022.

Updated link for more information.