September 2011
Seattle Magazine 2011 Spotlight Award: Megan Griffiths
CHARACTER WITNESS: Indie filmmaker Megan Griffiths gets personal
Filmmaker Megan Griffiths calls herself a “people person.” She’s referring to the energy she gets from interacting with others, but the shorthand label is also an apt description of her moviemaking style. “For me,” Griffiths says, “it’s about the people in the movie.” Strong characters drive her 2010 film The Off Hours, which she wrote,…
The Big Idea
If money were no object, what one thing would you do to fix Seattle?
Like most who live here, we’re fiercely in love with Seattle—but our love isn’t blind. Along with our singular natural vistas, thriving neighborhoods, leading-edge innovations and savvy, well-read locals, we have hideous transportation issues, under-performing schools and the all too common big-city heartbreakers: homelessness and hunger. If money were no object, what one thing would…
Fall Arts 2011
Our guide to the very best arts events of the season, plus our 2011 Spotlight Award winners.
Fall. It lands with a sudden, resounding clunk, causing a city-wide knee-jerk reaction: We lament the fact that summer was (way!) too short, and we begin the hunkering-down process, bracing ourselves for winter. But we’re here to suggest another response to the season: Rejoice in the fact that dance, film, music, theater and visual arts…
Seattle Magazine 2011 Spotlight Award: Garrett Fisher
NEW ARIA CODE: Composer Garrett Fisher is creating a new genre of note
Sitting on the living room floor of his modest Capitol Hill home, a cup of tea in hand and a large cat lounging nearby, Garrett Fisher hardly seems poised to upend opera as we know it. But he might just do so. The acclaimed composer has earned accolades nationwide for his fresh approach, blending ancient…
Seattle Magazine 2011 Spotlight Award: Kyle Loven
MASTER OF PUPPETS: Kyle Loven performs a magical hand jive
At Kyle Loven’s studio space in Belltown, the worktable is littered with ears—latex ears, which he’s been perfecting for his recent work, When You Point at the Moon. The spooky story is based on Chinese moon mythology that warns, “Don’t point at the moon, or the moon will cut your ears off.” Loven, a skilled…
Seattle Magazine 2011 Spotlight Award: Troy Gua
POP EYE: Troy Gua turns pop culture into high art
Visual artist Troy Gua wants to be famous. His deadpan stare and signature slicked black topknot are unmistakable at local art gatherings—and often the subject of his own artwork. He’s hung large-scale photographs of himself, fashioned a small sculpture of himself urinating (after the famous “Manneken Pis” in Brussels), and even translated his face into…
Seattle Magazine 2011 Spotlight Award: Mandy Greer
HIGH IN FIBER: Installation artist Mandy Greer weaves dreams from detritus
“This is my eight-year-old dream come true,” says Mandy Greer, surveying her home studio, which her husband (artist Paul Margolis) recently built with a friend in a space adjoining the laundry room. Countless clear plastic tubs are packed to bursting with colorful fabrics. Sparkly garments hang from hooks, as does a furry wolf head and…
Seamless in Seattle Winner: Bri Seeley
The local designer was recognized for "Best Coat" in our 2011 competition.
Bri Seeley (pictured right)Line: Bri Seeley DesignsAvailable at: Spun Sustainable Collective (Capitol Hill); briseeley.com The creative spark: Take Betty Draper and mix her with a dash of Jackie O circa 1970, and you get a visual of Seeley’s effortless, classic aesthetic. “I get a lot of inspiration from history and historic fashions. My grandmother entrusted…
Seamless in Seattle Winner: Angela Allen
This Queen-Anne based designer was recognized for "Best Reinterpretation of the Little Black Dress"
Angela Allen (pictured left) Line: Angela Allen DesignAvailable at: angelaallendesigns.com Studying at: New York Fashion Academy, Class of 2011 The creative spark: The Queen Anne–based designer is all about juxtaposition: hard and soft, natural versus industrial. Her tactile, earth-tone designs merge solids with classic patterns like houndstooth. “While I find inspiration in nature for my…
Seamless in Seattle Winner: Kathy Sabin-mensah
The local designer took home "Best Evening Wear" in our 2011 competition.
Kathy Sabin-mensah Line: Kréati-KaAvailable at: kreati-ka.comStudying at: New York Fashion Academy, Class of 2011 The creative spark: The 34 year-old French-born designer is all about female empowerment, drawing inspiration from her Euro approach to life and the fierce, raw power she observed in African women while visiting family there several years ago. “Women who wear…
Seamless in Seattle Winner: Banchong Douangphrachanh
This Seattle-based designer has sold a garment to Lady Gaga and taken home "Most Innovative Menswear
Banchong Douangphrachanh Line: Banchong DouangphrachanhAvailable at: banchongdesign.com The creative spark: A vivacious ball of energy, Douangphrachanh takes an imaginative, somewhat nautical approach to her men’s suit wear, utilizing unconventional materials like neoprene and Gore-Tex for a sleek upshot. “I was inspired by the regattas in Seattle. I pictured a swarthy, ultramasculine boat captain wearing my…
Seamless in Seattle Winner: Emily Riordan-Roache
This Vashon-based designer's line was named "Best Nortwest-Inspired" in our 2011 competition.
Riordan Roache Line: Riordan RoacheAvailable at: emilyriordanroache.com The creative spark: Riordan-Roache, 27, exemplifies real Seattle rocker style: Raised in Ballard and later in Port Townsend, her designs are fueled by her love of punk and rock bands (think: Talking Heads and The Fall), and by the rustic Northwest. “I went to Central Saint Martin’s School…
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Artifacts: Reliving Almost Live!
On the air with John Keister
Once upon a time, during the halcyon days of network television, a Saturday night staple for many area residents was a Seattle sketch comedy show that aired on KING-5. Taped in front of a live audience, each episode began with the host delivering his opening monologue. As he walked out onstage, an “On Air” sign…
Essentials: Brinnon teacher chosen for Scholastic project
Kindergarten teacher chosen to participate in national project
A kindergarten teacher at Jefferson County’s Brinnon School will help shape the professional development of teachers across the United States. Lisa A. Johnston is among 12 teachers from around the country chosen to participate in the inaugural Teacher Fellows Cohort from children’s publishing, education, and media company Scholastic. The effort will help inform product development,…