By Ashleigh McCurdy - Some afternoons remind me exactly why we opened the doors to Colman Commons. Recently, Lewis Rudd, co-founder and CEO of Ezell’s Famous Chicken, joined host Keisha Credit here for an exclusive interview on The Pop-Up! at the Colman Commons Backstage.

Seattle artist, entrepreneur, and community leader Takiyah Ward, also known as “TDUB,” recently joined guest host Omari Salisbury on The Mother's Justice Show for a conversation on the evolution of Black art, grassroots leadership, and cultural preservation in the Pacific Northwest.

The Colman Commons Backstage recently welcomed one of the Emerald City’s most impactful leaders: Lewis Rudd, CEO and co-founder of Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

Artist Jonarra Swanson recently visited Pioneer Square for Conversations At Colman Commons, where she shared insights into her creative process, the cultural grounding of her work, and the lived experiences that shape her striking paintings.

Colman Commons is ready to light up the Downtown Seattle Art Walk this Friday, September 25th. This Friday evening is the public's final chance to experience the incredible works of Colman Commons’ inaugural Grand Opening artist cohort before new exhibitions take center stage.

A movement in community-driven fashion and identity recently unfolded at Colman Commons, where Afrosapphix and The Re-Sole 206 linked up for SOLEswap, a clothing swap and fashion panel focused on Black queer style, practical self-expression, and mutual aid. 

Black joy lives and breathes in Colman Commons. Looking back at these photo booth snapshots from Deaunte Damper's birthday celebration at Colman Commons, the room overflowed with Black joy, laughter, and pure love, expertly captured by Smile Patrol NW.

By Ashleigh McCurdy - Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a space feel special. Not just beautiful, not just well-designed, but the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer. I think it has something to do with how we gather.

We’re still riding the wave of radical joy from May when friends, family, and allies gathered to celebrate We Live In Color host Deaunte Damper’s birthday and his appointment as 2026 Seattle Pride Grand Marshal.

Colman Commons never goes out of style. Fashion designer Nate Alexander recently stopped by Colman Commons to showcase his original, one-of-one custom designs from his brand Mainly Razedebar.

At the Colman Commons Grand Opening, The Elite Collective partnered with The Smile Patrol to bring the ultimate 360 photobooth experience, capturing every smile, every dance move, and every moment of pure Black joy. 

Last month, the Seattle community gathered to witness the Grand Opening of Colman Commons. For Veronica Very, the founder and visionary of Wonder of Women (WOW) International, this momentous event was a milestone in her lifelong dedication to healing, art, and community.

The Colman Commons Grand Opening recently honored a panel of Black women in the arts. Taking center stage was Takiyah "TDUB" Ward, the newly appointed Creative Director of Colman Commons and the owner of The Re-Sole 206. 

The recent Colman Commons Grand Opening featured a historic panel of Black women in Seattle arts. Among the visionaries honored was Jazmyn Scott, the force behind cultural hub and fine art gallery ARTE NOIR, who shared her truths about resilience, community, and what it truly means to fund Black creativity.

The Seattle waterfront was recently flooded with pure musical magic as Jamie-Michelle Charles, starring as Wendy in Acts on Stage's Teen Summer Musical production Peter Pan: Ready to Rise, delivered a breathtaking sneak-peek performance of the show, happening this weekend.

At the Colman Commons Grand Opening Celebration earlier this month, the atmosphere was charged with reflection, gratitude, and artistic excellence. Among the esteemed honorees was legendary Seattle artist Barbara Earl Thomas, whose insights into her lifelong creative journey left a lasting impression.

Earlier this month, the Seattle arts and culture community gathered to witness the historic grand opening of Colman Commons. Among the esteemed visionaries on stage was Stephanie Morales, the founder behind Made Space Seattle.

Earlier this month, the Colman Commons Grand Opening celebrated the launch of a new community space and honored incredible Black women in Seattle’s creative community. Among these women was Sierra Jones, who made it clear we cannot build sustainable sanctuaries for others if we are running ourselves into the ground.

One week after the grand opening of Colman Commons, Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy is still absorbing the magnitude of what the night meant for the artists, for the community, and for the future of the space itself.

The waterfront was buzzing last week, and if you weren’t there, you missed a historic shift in our city’s cultural landscape. When Colman Commons officially threw open its doors, it transformed the historic Colman Building into a sanctuary for Black creativity, connection, and unfiltered joy.