Meet the Art Team!
We are thrilled to share that we have assembled an amazing team of artists to craft the overall vision for the arts plan at Garfield Super Block. These accomplished artists all have deep roots in the Central Area- two of them are even Garfield grads! Their job over the next few months involves creating a comprehensive plan for the arts at GSB, managing the selection process for individual artists, and ensuring that the community voice is included in this process. The history and culture of the Central Area is an amazing and compelling story to tell, and we are so excited to see the artwork that emerges from this process.
Esther Ervin, MFA
Arts Curator
I am a contemporary visual artist, and jeweler, born in Somerville, New Jersey now residing in Seattle, Washington. My studies at University of California, the American University of Beirut and California State University culminated in a BS in biology and an MFA in Illustration with a bio-medical and sculptural emphasis.
After Peace Corps service and a brief career in insurance and securities, I was awarded a residency and a Gregory M. Robinson scholarship at Pratt Fine Arts Center where I studied jewelry and metalsmithing. Later, I was awarded residencies at the James W. Washington Foundation.
I have curated over 60 exhibitions, including those as Art Gallery Curator at South Seattle College, Onyx Fine Arts Collective; WSU in Richland, WA; Portland OR, the Shunpike Artists of Color Expo and Symposium and five personal solo shows.
From 2016 to 2019 I curated the development and installation of art for seven other artists at the Liberty Bank Building in Seattle, WA. 18 of my own site-specific works were included: four sandblasted glass canopy panels depicting the redlined Central District, three cast bronze salmon and 11 concrete, tile and wood benches.
I have been invited to jury and participate in selection panels locally and out-of-state. My jewelry has been shown locally and in Beijing, China; Vilnius, Lithuania and Gdansk, Poland.
https://blackartslegacies.crosscut.com/articles/esther-ervin
Takiyah Ward
Arts Consultant
Takiyah Ward is a multidisciplinary artist from Seattle, WA. Takiyah has made a name for herself over the years performing and painting all over the city. Most notably, in 2020 Takiyah helped organize the painting of Seattle's Black Lives Matter street mural on Capitol Hill. Since then she has founded an arts collective, Vivid Matter Collective, and opened a gallery of the same name. Her work with the collective has garnered her much attention, and last year she was brought on to Converge Media as host of her show Art Of The Matter. Takiyah is also a known dance performer, and has graced many a stage over her 10+ year career. Takiyah hopes to be a key player in all conversations surrounding arts and culture in the city, ensuring that marginalized groups and Seattle's historic communities are represented
Breyahna “Breeze” Coston
Arts Consultant
My name is Breyahna Coston , I am an artist from Seattle by way of Tacoma. I am a muralist as well as canvas artist with a splash of mixed media. My focus is the preservation of our stories, past and present captured through my perspective.
https://www.breyahnamonet.com/
Instagram @breyahnamonetpaints