Artist Sondra Perrys backhoe video installation.
Artist Sondra Perry's backhoe video installation. IMAGE COURTESY SEATTLE ART MUSEUM

New Media Artist Sondra Perry’s Mixed Media Installation Opens at Seattle Art Museum: The winner of the 2017 Gwendolyn Knight and Jacob Lawrence Prize has made a sculpture featuring a refurbished backhoe with a three-channel video monitor attached that projects images representing race, class, abstraction, and gentrification. Perry’s video, Eclogue for [in]HABITABILITY , was unveiled at SAM on December 8 and will be on display in SAM's Gwendolyn Knight | Jacob Lawrence Gallery through July 7.

If You’re Out for the Capitol Art Walk Tonight, Look for the “Capitol Hill Arts District” Medallions: They were just installed at 40 different spots all over the hill, designating ‘cultural spaces’ like theaters, galleries and music and bookstores. They were funded by the Office of Arts and Culture.

The City Is Rushing to Sign a Lease for the Asian Art Museum Expansion Before the End of the Month: Since, under the new Republican tax plan, federal tax credits that would partially fund the project, like the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, will be abolished (the city is seeking a $6 million credit). Members of the Protect Volunteer Park group that’s against the expansion are pressing for Mayor Durkan to stop City Hall from signing the lease, which they say will deplete “our public wealth for generations, in exchange for a quick financial rush of $6 million in tax credits.”

The Northwest African American Museum’s New ED is LaNesha DeBardelaben: She comes to NAAM from the Wright Museum, the nation’s second largest African American museum, and will now lead the only museum in the Northwest dedicated to the art and culture of people of African descent. Norman Rice, NAAM board member and former Mayor of Seattle, welcomed her in the press release, stating, “We are proud and pleased to have her wisdom, insights, and energy to move our museum to new heights.”

Hillary Clinton Was in Seattle: And middle aged white people were lining up around the block of Elliott Bay Bookstore to meet her/get their book signed/tell her they’re sorry about the election. Katie Herzog talked to a couple of them. (Remember the pussy hats? They’re baaaaaaaack.)

Some Worthy Writers and Artists Received Some Big Money: As part of the James W. Ray Awards. The biggest grant of $50K will go to poet Jane Wong and Tacoma-based visual artist and activist Christopher Paul Jordan; performer Veronica-Lee-Biak will get $15,000 to put towards new projects.

DIY Venue Office Space to Hold Its Final Event on Friday, December 22: This will be your last chance to hit Office Space, a hub of Seattle underground rock events over the past few years that also featured practice spaces, and recording and art studios. This final blowout will feature live music from American Nudism, Darto, Vacant Life, Women of the Divine Orgasm, and more TBA. In addition, there’ll be close-out sale of Good Person Records merch, a Need Things vintage pop-up shop, oracle card readings by Lil Kay (half of profits will go to Southern Poverty Law Center), comedy by Clara Pluton, and more. According to the Facebook event page, “All proceeds will go to the costs of deconstructing and re-establishing the space.” Ask a punk for directions.