Veronica Very poses at the Colman Commons Grand Opening last month. (Photo: The Elite Collective)

At the heart of every great movement lies a sacred space where stories are told, truth is upheld, and wonder is celebrated. Last month, the Seattle community gathered to witness the Grand Opening of Colman Commons. For Veronica Very, the founder and visionary ofWonder of Women (WOW) International, this momentous event was a milestone in her lifelong dedication to healing, art, and community.

Veronica reflected on her connection with Colman Commons, her role in curating its breathtaking art, and the next chapter of her global mission to foster sacred safe spaces.

A Spiritual Baton Passing

The Grand Opening of Colman Commons marked a historic gathering, honoring significant Black women in the community, the arts, and entrepreneurship. For Veronica, the evening resonated with gravity.

"It really felt like a spiritual baton passing of sorts,” she said. “It just really lit my heart up.”

Walking through Colman Commons and listening to Commons Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy share her vision, Veronica saw a beautiful mirroring of her own journey. Her renowned, award-winning, and globally recognized WOW Gallery, which transformed an 11,000-square-foot former Victoria's Secret into a haven of art and healing, was initially scheduled to open for only six months. Guided by heart and necessity, Veronica kept it open for four and a half years.

To know that Colman Commons is now here to carry that light forward represents a beautiful continuation of space-making, she said.

Centering the Vulnerable to Heal the Whole

Throughout her decade of work dating back to the founding of WOW in 2016, Veronica has championed the necessity of creating spaces specifically dedicated to Black women and girls. In doing so, she clarified the truth about equity and inclusion.

"When you center Black women, you don't de-center other people. Centering vulnerable members of our population does not de-center others. As a matter of fact, it brings us together in the sense that again we wake up our ancestral memory,” she said. “We cannot be as a society better beyond those who are vulnerable in our society.”

For Veronica, this work is about activating the healing, educational, and liberating roles that we all carry inside of us to make society better as a whole.

Pieces from Hiawatha D’s collection inspired by the Green Book and Martha’s Vineyard displayed in Colman Commons.

The Green Book & Martha’s Vineyard Collections

Visitors to Colman Commons are greeted by a stunning art collection curated by Veronica in co-creation with her husband and legendary Seattle artist,Hiawatha D.

At the forefront of this exhibition is Hiawatha’s collection inspired by historic Black travel to Martha’s Vineyard. These pieces pay homage to the historical Green Book, a travel guide to mark safe spaces where Black Americans could travel, find joy, and transact with Black-owned businesses.

Bringing these pieces to Seattle was a deliberate choice to infuse Colman Commons with the spirit of rest and safety.

“It was bringing a little Martha's Vineyard to Seattle, if you will,” Veronica said. “I just couldn't think of a better collection to kick off the grand opening with. It points to a space for us to rest, space for us to find joy, space for us to breathe, space for us to remember who we are—sacred safe space."

The Next Frontier: The WOW Wellness Center

The collaboration between Veronica Very and Colman Commons continues to deepen with the upcoming incorporation of the WOW Wellness Center.

This center is the evolution of the "healing suites" first developed within the WOW Gallery. There, dressing rooms were converted into sacred, private sanctuaries where art met recovery. The WOW Wellness Center at Colman Commons will prioritize ancestral and indigenous wellness practices to complement Western medicine.

“We believe in the power of art to heal. We believe in the power of art to connect us with our ancestors,” Veronica said. “The Wellness Center is designed with practices that will help disrupt racial and emotional trauma, practices that will help us connect as community, let go of some of the ills of our society, and breathe again, think again, and be at peace again.”

As WOW celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the organization is officially transitioning into Wonder of Well-Being, expanding its reach to serve not only women but also men, ensuring that the entire community has access to these life-giving resources.

A Global Vision From Seattle to South Africa

While Veronica's impact is deeply felt in Seattle, her vision spans across oceans. Beyond Colman Commons, her work continues globally, most notably at the WOW Healing Villa in Johannesburg, South Africa, extending the reach of sacred safe spaces to a global scale.

As she looks toward the future of collaboration with Colman Commons, Veronica reminds us of the power of unity.

"Nobody owns the art space in Seattle. We’re all creators and we all get a chance to participate in some capacity, and to collaborate is a powerful thing. We're stronger together,” she said.

To stay connected with Veronica Very and support her ongoing work, visit her online atthewonderofwomen.org andveronicavery.com.

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