Black Love in the Central District: Celebrating Art, Culture, and History at the CD Art Walk

The Central District Art Walk recently transformed the historic Seattle neighborhood into a self-guided tour of art, culture, and commerce. The event, which has been running for about a year and a half, takes place every first Friday of the month to celebrate the overflowing creativity of the Central District and its artists. The theme for February’s edition of the art walk was “Black Love” in homage to Black History Month and Valentine's Day.

"We're asking people every Friday to come and even any other day to come into the Central District and just make it a point to be intentional,” Made Space Seattle founder Stephanie Morales said.

The Noir Amore Marketplace and Arte Noir

A centerpiece of the First Friday event was the "Noir Amore" vendor market, a concept the Black arts non-profit Arte Noir coined for February for the past three years that translates to "Black Love." Located adjacent to the Arte Noir storefront, the market featured an array of Black vendors and makers, offering the community opportunities to purchase goods and circulate dollars locally.

Jazmyn Scott, Arte Noir's Executive Director, highlighted the organization’s mission and the meaning behind the February theme:

"February…is the month that we really celebrate Blackness in all its ways and all its forms every day, 365 days a year here at Arte Noir,” she said.

Scott also emphasized the economic impact of participation, particularly at the Arte Noir storefront on East Union and 23rd Street. 

“Every time you come spend your money here, just know that that money goes right back into the hands of a Black creative. So you're doing the work of circulating the dollar, which is really important,” she said. 

Supporting Small Business and Youth Entrepreneurship

The event served as a platform for small Black-owned businesses. Event coordinator Jazz From Seattle, representing her eight-year-old son’s business, Jaden's Munchie Bar, emphasized the importance of teaching youth about entrepreneurship, customer service, and managing money.

"This event is really special because it's the first Friday of Black History Month. So, we thought it was important for us to pull up and show out and…support small Black businesses,” she said.

Additionally, Presidential Transportation provided a party bus to offer rides throughout the Central District, with planned stops at Washington Hall, Métier Brewing, and QueenCare.

A Cultural and Historical Experience

The CD Art Walk provides a unique experience that goes beyond a typical art viewing, deliberately highlighting the neighborhood's rich heritage. 

"Coming here every month is part of helping to preserve and promote the people's understanding of this neighborhood and…why the history needs to be told and why the culture needs to be preserved,” Morales said, encouraging the public to intentionally support and learn from the Central District not just on First Fridays, but throughout Black History Month.

Learn more about the Central District Art walk here.