Art: How To Make Art Friends

Art friends make life richer, according to arts community leader Leilani Lewis.  She says art friends can help you “deepen your understanding of yourself and the people around you.” If you want to make art friends, Leilani says take initiative and be willing to be vulnerable.  “Go to the openings. Go to the programs. Go to Remix. Go to Wa Na Wari artist talks. Go and just dig yourself in and you’ll meet people. I guarantee it.” Leilani says there are people in town she’s known for 20 years, that she met at art openings and whom she only ever sees at art events.  “We give each other a hug when we see each other at the space. Then we carry on.”  Leilani says there are plenty of cool things you can do with your art friends. Including creating your own art walk, starting at Arte Noir in the Central District and exploring the restaurants Communion and Marjorie.   Or hitting up free museums like The Frye and The Henry. Leilani also has a few tips for enjoying the Seattle Art Fair that happens July 17-20 at the Lumen Field Event Center.  For example: Dress comfortably, if not a little stylishly. Leilani is a fan of comfortable shoes with arch support. And she says because the Seattle Art Fair is so massive, a little game might be in order. Her recommendation: creating a simple art fair bingo card for you and your art friends. You can populate the card with questions like, Which piece of art scared you? Which piece of art made you want to cry? What was the most colorful piece you saw?  She says the bingo cards can be a fantastic way to dive into conversations with your art friends while you're hanging out at or after the event.  Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:  The Grown-Ups, Dacha Theatre, June 28-Aug 3  Sandsations, Long Beach, WA, July 16-20 Summer at SAM: Concert Night at Olympic Sculpture Park, July 24   Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at [email protected].  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.