Last spring, the Vera Project, Seattle’s city-sponsored all-ages organization, announced it was going to raise $1.8 million to build itself a new venue in Seattle Center.
Between the fundraising kickoff party at Vain Salon, to the weeklong Drink for the Kids benefit, and most recently the Viva Vera Auction, it’s managed to bring itself to within $200,000 of its goal. And not a moment too soon—after five months of construction, Vera is finally ready to move into its new home.
The space features a 350-capactiy showroom, a concession stand, a cafe/art gallery, multiple classrooms/meeting rooms, a silk-screen studio with a new four-color press, and perhaps best of all (for the artists playing there at least), ground-level load-in. That means no more hauling gear up a terrifyingly steep set of dark stairs.
Even with a thin layer of fine dust covering everything, it’s an understatement to say that the venue will be amazing. So we’re not gonna say it; we’re gonna show it. In the slideshow is a look, in pictures, at the last year in the life of the Vera Project, with commentary by program director Shannon Roach.
See videos of Jonathan Poneman and Mayor Nickels speaking at the Vera Project’s ribbon cutting ceremony by Kelly O. See video of the Vera Project’s ground breaking by Dan Droz.
All slideshow photographs by Curt Doughty
