If you were with us at Colman Commons last Friday, you felt the room shift the second you walked through the doors. The energy was warm, heavy in the best way, and electric with shared purpose. We were honored to host A Space Inside for their first open mic in over a year—marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership as their long-term home.

The vibes were high in the Black Media Matter studios this week when The Pop-Up! welcomed Colman Commons Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy. With the city buzzing in anticipation, McCurdy took to the mic to discuss one of the most exciting community developments of the summer: the Colman Commons Grand Opening, happening tomorrow, Thursday, August 6. 

If you are anywhere near Pioneer Square during Seattle Art Fair week (July 23–26, 2026), you need to pull up to Colman Commons. Ward—the visionary behind Seattle’s iconic 2020 Black Lives Matter street mural and the founder of the Pacific Northwest's premier sneaker care facility, The Re-Sole 206—is debuting her first-ever solo exhibition: The RETROspective.

The wait is over, Seattle. After nearly a year, healing arts studio Inside’s Open Mic Night is officially back, and this time, they’re planting roots. Starting Friday, July 31st, Inside has found its forever home at Colman Commons. This return isn’t just a restart; it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the voices that make our city incredible. 

On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, Converge Media welcomed back a familiar face whose fingerprints are quite literally all over Seattle: Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward. From the iconic “Black Media Matters. Period.” wall inside the Converge studio to murals, footwear, and community activations across the city, Takiyah’s work has quietly shaped how Seattle sees itself.