Seattle witnessed a vibrant explosion of creativity as it hosted the inaugural WALK DON’T RUN art marathon last week, inspired by the NEPO 5K event organized by local artist Klara Glosova in the Chinatown International District and Beacon Hill.
The art marathon journeyed through the heart of the city, showcasing a myriad of installations, performances, pop-ups, and open galleries, all while enveloping participants in an atmosphere of joy and discovery.
The event commenced in Occidental Square, featuring energetic musical and drag performances, along with enthusiastic cheers from Seattle Cheer, who accompanied the art walkers throughout the day, encouraging them with chants, smiles, and lively pom-pom shakes.
As participants explored the art-rich route stretching across four neighborhoods—Pioneer Square, the downtown core, the Pike/Pine corridor, and Belltown—they eventually arrived at the finish line located at Bell Street and Second Avenue.
Kira Burge, an art consultant and one of the event’s organizers, reflected on the motivations behind creating WALK DON’T RUN. She noted that the experience of emerging from the isolation of the pandemic resonated with many artists, drawing parallels to the recovery phase following the Great Recession.
Burge, who has lived in Seattle since 2010, emphasized the community-driven nature of artistic gatherings, describing how artists connected in homes and studios, rather than merely attending galleries.
With a vision to rekindle that communal spirit through art, Burge approached Glosova about revitalizing NEPO 5K. Although Glosova opted out, she supported Burge’s initiative to proceed with the new event.
To financially support the one-day festival, Burge secured a grant from the Office of Arts & Culture’s Hope Corps and, supplemented by sponsorships and donations, allocated funds primarily to compensate the participating artists for their contributions.
Burge articulated the goal of the event: to contribute to the revival of downtown Seattle via engaging and fun activities that highlight the art and culture integral to the city’s identity.
More than 100 artists from various disciplines—visual art, dance, music, and performance—joined in WALK DON’T RUN, activating streets, alleys, sidewalks, and public spaces over more than 20 city blocks.
As participants ambled along the marked path, identifiable by blue sidewalk paint, colorful ribbons, and QR codes, they donned “race bib” stickers provided at a booth in Occidental Square, where they inscribed humorous phrases, nicknames, or art-related puns.
Among these, one sticker stood out with the quip: “The only marathon I’ll ever qualify for.”
Artist Britta Johnson, whose sculpture titled ‘Making Kin’ found a home in a nearby parking garage, expressed that viewing art in unconventional settings can transform perceptions of both the art itself and its environment.
Her piece, made from a modified oil barrel and featuring an LED-lit octopus, aimed to evoke feelings of beauty, strangeness, and delight, inviting viewers to experience the city from a fresh perspective.
The thrill of discovery played a significant role in the event, merging prominent names with budding artists.
Roving art collectives like SuttonBeresCuller, dressed in all-white jumpsuits marked with illuminated red arrows, added delightful surprises for participants encountering them on their walks.
Interestingly, around the Pike/Pine corridor, a group of artists joyously paraded paper mâché salmon on sticks, simulating the creatures as they “swam” down the street.
Longtime Seattle artist Margie Livingston also engaged in her unique artwork called ‘art dragging,’ where she connected wood-framed paintings to a harness and traversed the sidewalks, embedding each piece with remnants of the city and its participants.
At the 2+U building’s courtyard, performances captivated audiences with site-specific presentations.
In ‘Dissolve,’ artists Alaina Stocker, Esther Loopstra, and Alana O. Rogers painted live against a backdrop of furniture that devolved into disarray, while ‘Collective Echo’ showcased a series of duets performed by Samantha Fabrikant, Natalie Grant, and Katherine Neumann.
Adding to the interactive experience, Jesse Higman invited attendees to participate in ‘The Collaborative Landscape,’ where groups of individuals came together to pour iridescent mica flakes suspended in water onto a vast 16-foot horizontal canvas, creating a mesmerizing, ephemeral constellation.
Local curator Jeremy Buben, serving as an Art Concierge, witnessed the excitement of participants as they gathered in Occidental Park, eager for the day’s events.
He positioned himself at various locations, including Pioneer Place Park and the finish line, engaging with attendees who sought directions, recommendations, and answers to art-related queries.
Buben expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s future, suggesting that it creates a wonderful platform for Seattle’s artists, musicians, and performers to engage the community in exploration and creativity.
WALK DON’T RUN marked a triumphant opening for fall, graced by picture-perfect weather, clear skies, and warm sunshine.
For many, the celebration embodied a reconnection with the city’s rich creative ecosystem while exploring neighborhoods and rekindling relationships with old friends.
The spirit of collaboration and the commitment of community members to uplift the city were evident, not only during WALK DON’T RUN but every day in Seattle.
image source from：seattlemag
