The 619 Western building in Seattle WA was the largest art colony on the west coast for 30 years. Help us preserve the legacy. Read more
The 619 Western building in Seattle WA was the largest art colony on the west coast for 30 years. Help us preserve the legacy.
About this project
We are making a documentary about a recently deceased Seattle icon: the 619 Western Ave building in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood.
This 100 year old building used to house lumber and supplies for shipping companies in the early 1900's. As it aged and the shipping companies moved elsewhere, it became all but forgotten.
Then in 1981 artists began to discover its huge, raw and largely uninhabited walls. From four original founders the building grew to house over 120 artists at a time producing a range of creative work from fine art to experimental... from avant garde sculpture to Marvel comics.
Once a month the building would open its doors for Artwalk on every first thursday of the month. What ensued was nothing short of a New York SOHO-style art party spanning six floors of studios, almost every one of them harboring some unique experience for visitors.
People from all walks of life found inspiration in 619 - from local business leaders to quirky artists... even famous actors could be seen wandering its corridors.
After years of neglect though, a 2001 earthquake and finally Seattle's deep bore tunnel project... 619 Western was forced to close its doors and the artists were forced to find new places to live and create.
Originally the building was scheduled to be demolished by the State, but preservationists quickly stepped in and saved the building itself - only to lose the artists forever. Expensive renovations will make the space unaffordable to working artists since it will become prime real estate for the owners. The result will be the gentrification of a neighborhood, one of Seattle's last remaining cultural gems.
Our film intends to celebrate the space for what it was and highlight the importance of working artists in communities. It will serve as a mirror for capitalism and the creative spirit - how the two interact and often conflict.
Every one of us has a deep desire to be creative and 619 symbolized the epitome of creativity for so many who frequented its studios. It represented freedom of expression and an unbridled spirit of possibility.
Please help 619 live on.
Rewards!
Support your local artists! The rewards listed for this campaign don't just benefit the project, they go to pay the artists for their work. When you select a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level art reward, portrait reward or jewelry reward, the artists are paid for their work!
Risks and challenges
We have a lot of footage. Over 100 hours to be more precise. That much footage is going to require a lot of combing through and piecing together to produce a high quality film worthy of the world's attention.
This process is going to take some time but in the end we believe it will be well worth the wait.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Just follow one of the links above that say "Online Rewards Gallery" to see a display of available art rewards starting at the $750 level.
Rewards
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Pledge $10 or more
3 backers
For ten you'll get a special thanks on IMDB and our website, a digital download of the film and access to our work in progress screenings!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $20 or more
16 backers
For our minimum pledge of $20, you'll receive a thank you in our credits and access to sneak peak digital screeners of the film as it evolves into a finished masterpiece!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $50 or more
1 backer
Thank you in our credits, access to sneak peak digital screeners of the film and a digital high five!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $100 or more
7 backers
For a benjamin we'll ship you a DVD copy of the completed film, write your name in the history books with an official special thanks in our IMDB credits and give you access to our sneak peak digital screeners!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $175 or more
0 backers
Original locally made earrings and necklaces! Parallel Jewelry is offering hand crafted pure silver jewelry made to order! Check out their inventory for available styles: www.paralleljewelry.com [Plus all of the above rewards!]
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $250 or more
4 backers
A duece and a half will get you all of the above, and 2 tickets to our premiere! (location TBD)
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
For $500 you will get a DVD copy, IMDB special thanks, 2 tickets to our premiere and a high quality print of the director's original art work. Check out the online gallery for a selection of available prints!
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $750 or more
1 backer Limited (5 left of 6)
Art lovers - welcome! At this level we begin offering original works of art by former 619 and other local artists. Visit our website and find your way to the online gallery, select any BRONZE level work you fancy and email us which one you've chosen so we can reserve it for you!
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $850 or more
0 backers Limited (3 left of 3)
Photo portraits! Ingrid Pape-Sheldon, Seattle portrait photographer extraordinaire, is offering individual or family portraits to local donors! Check out her website for samples of her incredible work: www.pape-sheldon.com
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,250 or more
0 backers Limited (1 left of 1)
Original painted portrait! Have your portrait painted by nationally renowned and former 619 artist Billy King. "Billy King is in collections all across North America including Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, Smthsonian Institute in Washington DC, and Curator PR Seattle. ". A $1,500 value! More info at www.billyking.com [Seattle donors only]
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (3 left of 3)
Silver level art collector reward. Select from either any SILVER level work of art, a DVD copy of the film and Associate Producer credit in the film.
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers Limited (6 left of 6)
Gold level art collector reward. Select from any GOLD level work of art, a DVD copy of the film and Producer credit in the film!!!
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $7,500 or more
0 backers Limited (3 left of 3)
Platinum level. Select any PLATINUM work of art, receive Executive Producer credit in the film, 4 tickets to our premiere (location TBD), and join the production team for a fancy dinner! We can discuss the project, stories about the building and take your creative input on the film!
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States
Funding period
- (42 days)