Vibrant Palette Arts Center

A Social Innovation Spotlight

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We visited Vibrant Palette Arts Center (VPAC), an art-focused day program that empowers artists with disabilities, raises the visibility of their work, and builds a more inclusive arts community in Seattle. Founder and Executive Director Diane Knoll is the recipient of The Cloud Room's Social Innovation Scholarship- a program that highlights emerging leaders in community organizing, social justice, gender equity, and technology dedicated to bettering Seattle's present and future.

When asked why he enjoys art class, artist Nathan said that it “helps illustrate his world and socialize.” It didn’t take long to see that each artist was happy to be there, each with their own unique style and reason for attending.

Diane describes in her own words how Vibrant Palette came to fruition: 

 “As an occupational therapist, I have worked over the past 17 years with people of all ages and types of disabilities. I have always found art to be a common thread of engagement for meaningful activity in people’s lives. After years of experience working in special education, I found that as my students became closer to graduating, their families would begin to panic due to limited job and programming options once they had transitioned out of services at age 21. At the same time, I learned about Creative Growth, a visual arts day program in Oakland, California and thought that surely Seattle would offer a similar opportunity and wanted to explore volunteer options. To my dismay, our community offered nothing, and so the idea for Vibrant Palette was formed. We opened our doors in January of 2017 to two artists and have grown to fifteen artists at the beginning of 2019.”

The Cloud Room is proud to support this incredible organization, and will be hosting Bright Futures, VPAC’s Spring fundraiser, on March 24th. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, donating, or learning more, visit https://vibrantpalette.org/ . Vibrant Palette Arts is also currently seeking individuals to join their Board of Directors

To learn more about the Social Innovation Scholarship, click here. We are always looking for applicants!



 

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Summer 2018 at Chophouse Row!

Chophouse Row has announced its busiest summer calendar yet, and there is something in it for everyone. Check out all the events and offerings below! We can't wait to see you in the courtyard this summer.

Chophouse Row Cloud Room Seattle

It's summertime

in the Chophouse Row courtyard.

Sunday Funday Dance Party - Chophouse Row will host a courtyard dance party on three Sunday afternoons this summer: June 24th, July 29th, and August 26th from 3-7pm.  Bask in the sunshine, enjoy food and drink, listen to tunes, bring family and friends, and DANCE your pants off.  Food, beer and wine available from Bar Ferdinand and Good Weather Bicycle & Cafe, and award-winning ice cream from Kurt Farm Shop.  DJ Sets - Suliman and Friends Spinning Tunes. All ages are welcome. FREE.

This year, Chophouse Row and Capitol Hill Block Party are partnering to launch a Chophouse Row Stage for the first time ever.  Programmed with a curated set of DJ’s throughout the weekend, this space is open to the public (enter from the 12th Ave side) as well as Block Party goers (enter through Block Party on the 11th Ave side).  FREE.

Outdoor Yoga will be located in the Chophouse Row Courtyard every Saturday, hosted by SweatBox. Join teacher Alyssa for an All Levels Vinyasa class, don’t forget your mat and water bottle.  Every Saturday from June 30th – September 1st; 11:30-12:30pm. Pre-registration for this class is required.

After a winter hiatus, Chophouse Row Night Market is back with more product than ever. Matt Dillon vends produce from Old Chaser Farm and is now offering handmade sausages, Hama Hama Oysters, and the infamous Plane Bread. Create a custom bouquet from Brita Fisher’s beautiful selection of seasonal island grown flowers. Wine tasting at Bar Ferdinand (5-7pm).   Visit Night Market every Wednesday in the Chophouse Row courtyard from 4-8pm.

Ghost Cabin Art Installation Grand Opening – Saturday August 4th.  A collaboration between SHED Architecture, Greg Lundgren, and Plumb Level Square will be officially unveiled August 4th during a celebration from 5-9 pm hosted by City Arts, Northwest Film Forum, and Chophouse Row.   

Art Walk at Chophouse Row - Every second Thursday during Capitol Hill Art Walk, Chophouse Row hosts local artists selling their artworks and prints and live musical performances followed by a projection experience by Northwest Film Forum.  July 12th, August 9th, and September 13th from 6-9 pm.

The Chophouse Row Head to Toe fashion and beauty fair, August 18th 2-8pm, is curated by our style partners Cuniform. This event hosts an array of hair, skin, eye and, wardrobe experts who bring a sensibility and function to service and products. Pop in for a bang trim, shop wallet-friendly vintage and designer clothing, visit Chophouse Row boutiques including the Moo-Young Concept Shop, Honed and Sway & Cake, pick up a pair of new sunglasses, or get your brows waxed by Cake Skincare! Think of it as the summer’s one-stop-styling-shop; all of your needs in one place.

And to top it all off, in the category of “calendar as art”, a new installation by artist and muralist Meagan Lingerfelt, will be installed in early July as a central feature for posting events for both Chophouse Row and its affiliated workspace / culture club The Cloud Room, in a beautiful format that onsite residents and visitors can easily reference.  

 

 

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Announcing the 2018 Cloud Room SIS Winners!

The Cloud Room Social Innovation Scholarship 

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The Cloud Room is proud to announce the winners of our first ever Social Innovation Scholarship!

 

The Cloud Room has always recognized that rising social inequality and displacement drives out the artists, creators and independent non-profits whose energy and voices are necessary to combat the urgent challenges that Seattle faces.  Rapid growth has created much opportunity for some but not for many others, so we are doubling down and expanding our reach in 2018 to include emerging leaders in community organizing, social justice, gender equity, and technology dedicated to bettering Seattle's present and future.

 

We recognize that we can’t do this alone and so The Social Innovation Scholarship deepens our commitment to co create a diverse and thriving membership community together with our city that will help to make Seattle a better place for all.  In launching the Social Innovation Scholarship, The Cloud Room intends to provide a home and incubation for three projects that we are inspired by because they have great potential to make an impact on Seattle in these critical areas.

Over the course of a year, recipients will have full access to our community, programming, and support from our incredible member networks. Scholarship recipients will be encouraged and empowered to grow their network at The Cloud Room to better amplify their work and impact the communities they serve.

The Cloud Room Innovation Scholarship Winners:

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Abel Pacheco: Director of Strategic Engagement: Washington MESA

Abel leads the legislative and fundraising strategies for the Washington MESA program at the University of Washington. Washington MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement) was established by state statute in 1984 to focus on increasing the number of historically underrepresented populations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields; i.e. African-American, Latino, Native American, and women.  The program currently has 18 centers across the state focused on increasing the academic achievement of students and ensuring their success in STEM fields.   

In the Fall of 2018 students of color will be become the majority in Washington State public schools, thus increasing the importance and need of the MESA program. The scholarship of the Cloud Room will allow Abel and his colleagues at Washington MESA to leverage the professional network of the Cloud Room to enhance program messaging, volunteerism, and awareness efforts of the need to diversify the STEM professions. Given the timing of the Cloud Room Scholarship and Washington MESA’s mission, the collective partnership has an opportunity to inspire a new and more diverse generation of STEM professionals in Washington State.

Abel holds bachelors in political science/business administration from California State University, Northridge, as well as a graduate degree from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.  Abel completed his graduate school fellowship at The Seattle Foundation and currently serves on United Way of King County’s Emerging Leaders board.

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Jovelle Tamayo: Visual Journalist and Co-founder of Authority Collective

Jovelle Tamayo is an independent photo and video journalist who was born in Olongapo City, Philippines, raised in New Jersey and now based in South Seattle. 

 

She is a founding member of the Authority Collective — a group of womxn, femmes, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people of color working to reclaim their authority in photography, film and VR/AR. 

 

The Authority Collective’s mission is to empower marginalized artists with resources and community, and take action against systemic and individual abuses in the world of visual media. 

 

But undoing centuries of abuse is not easy and will take real effort. The Authority Collective will collaborate with individuals and organizations who share a vision of shifting the power dynamic in media, so the stories we tell more accurately represent the diversity of our world. True allyship means moving past merely recognizing privilege and voicing support. The Authority Collective asks colleagues to commit to anti-oppressive practices in professional and personal settings, and to uplift visual artists of color through mentorship, funding, jobs and leadership roles. 

 

The Authority Collective’s members are based all over the country — from Los Angeles to New York City. As a founding member based in Seattle, Jovelle hopes to leverage her local connections to benefit visual artists of color working in our region, and help facilitate collaborations between different organizations with the shared goal of building a more equitable industry. 

 

www.jovelle.photo

www.authoritycollective.org 

 

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Diane Knoll and Vibrant Palette

Diane is the founder of Vibrant Palette, an organization that aims to serve adults with developmental, mental, and physical disabilities by providing a day program in a professional studio environment with a focus on learning about and creating visual arts.

 

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Inspired Seattle: Axon's Chyna and Kevin

Curious about what one company working with law enforcement is doing to hold themselves more accountable in the critical work of dismantling institutionalized racism by restructuring hiring practices and product design? Come join us for our next take on Inspired Seattle, featuring Chyna McRae and Kevin Shah from Axon - a network of devices, apps, and people that helps law enforcement become smarter and safer. The mission of Axon is to protect life, and embrace and protect diversity and inclusion.

More about our speakers:

Chyna McRae is new to the Seattle area having moved from Massachusetts in 2017. In Boston, Chyna was a strategic manager working at early to mid-stage startups. Now as a product manager at Axon, she has pivoted her workdays to focus on the future of body cameras for police. Officers experience a loss of fine motor skills during critical events, and she hopes to improve the impact this obstacle causes through innovative product design. On the weekends, you may find Chyna at a local coffee shop enjoying a ‘spro or dancing her way into the week at Velocity Dance Center.

Kevin Shah is a computer and electrical engineer with an entrepreneurial drive. He is a first-generation immigrant from India. He moved from Kolkata in 2005 to Florida in pursuit of higher education. He worked in the aviation industry prior to moving from Florida to Seattle in November 2017 with his husband and dog. He is currently a Senior Product Manager at Axon where he develops products to improve public safety. He is passionate about technologies such as blockchain, machine learning, and smart contracts and wants to use them to solve global problems. He has proactively engaged in the Seattle social community by making various connections and joining organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the zoo. He continues to immerse himself further in order to wake up everyday to a better world.

Inspired Seattle Cloud Room Seattle
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May is Member Appreciation Month!

We <3 Our Members

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It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy work days and forget that at the Cloud Room, we are nothing without the people that make us their homes each day. We know that without our members, we would just be an empty space with a nice view and great bartenders. Thats why for the month of May we decided to give it up to you, Cloud Room members (and potential members) and show our appreciation for all you do. Check out all we're doing through this month and beyond below! 

- Tailored drinks.  Shoot Jay an email with your dream drink ingrediants, come by the bar and receive your speciality drink at a discounted rate! Sample preferences could include: gin, floral, bubbly.

- Espresso anyone? Try out the new coffee machine behind the front desk for a delicious pick-me-up. Also includes hot chocolate, steamed milk, and more. 24/7 accessibility!

- Win a free month of parking by indulging in a drink at the bar! No really, each time you visit the bar, your name will be entered into a drawing. The drawing will be held in the lounge on Tuesday May 29th, complete with a cava toast. You must be present to win (and a member)!

If you're not already a Cloud Room member, make sure to book a tour to see our space and join our amazing community. 

With love, 

The Cloud Room


 

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Member Mixtape: Colton Dixon Wagner

As a ten year fashion industry veteran, Colton has an accomplished history in buying, retail management, styling, and brand strategy for leading luxury retailers including Nordstrom and Totokaelo. After spending time in San Francisco, Los Angeles and NYC, he relocated back to Seattle, WA in 2016 in pursuit of special projects and collaborations.

Colton is currently one half of cuniform, a sliding scale boutique personal styling team in Seattle WA. Cuniform have produced events with Chophouse Row tenants and Eileen Fisher in the Cloud Room and offer their expertise to all our members. 

Colton Dixon Wagner Cloud Room Cuniform

Top 5 places to drink at (local or global!)

  • Maple Bourbon Old Fashion @Hotel Sorrento Seattle, Wa 
  • Wheatgrass Margherita @DIMES Chinatown, NYC, NY (although anything on the menu is amazing) 
  • Anything on the menu @Harrys Fine Foods Seattle, Wa (cocktails created by Levi Nordquist)
  • Drinks poolside @ San Jose Hotel Austin, TX (no reservation/stay needed) 
  • Karaoke and stiff drinks @BabyGrand NYC, NY 

 

Where do you take someone new to Seattle?

Depends on where the person is traveling from but some of my favorite local go-to’s are Harrys Fine Foods on Bellevue Ave, all of their cocktails are divine and their fries are the best fries I’ve ever had. Lucky vintage is a fun pop in to peek at vintage jeans and tees and Ballard consignment is always fun for someone who enjoys interiors (plus, you can talk them down on price most of the time). The new ITTOS on summit is a new space that’s cozy, sexy and the service is incredible (perfect for small bites in between running around or a date night spot). If someone wants authentic Mexican food, you can’t go wrong with Fogon- plus their ultimate margheritas are literally out of this world. Beyond that, I love to frequent Hotel Sorrento on a summer day and sit out front near the fire with a glass of Rose, Maneki in the ID is an all time favorite for sushi and a quick pop in to RGB on 12th is always a fun stop for someone new to Seattle. 

 

What do you do to decompress from work?

Exercise is always something I strive to squeeze into my long work weeks, especially in between travel. Yoga at Grinning Yogi (I only take Ryan Lile and Anja Keller’s classes- they’re the best). A long run around Seward park when I get a day off is blissful. Creative conversations and libations at Harrys Fine Foods is always a go to me (obviously, I’ve mentioned them 3x already!) + lighting, ambiance and menu is always on point. Other than that, I love spending time indoors with friends around a big table with good food and good conversation. 

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Inspired Seattle: Kevin Sur

Kevin Sur is a true local gem. From putting together some of the best music festivals in the region (Doe Bay, Timber and Timberrr) to woodworking and curating all levels of local talent at Artist Home, Kevin enriches Seattle every day. We're so happy to welcome him to lounge this month and can't wait to hear more about his journey and vision for our beautiful city. Tickets for this are going fast so reserve your spot now! 

Kevin Sur The Cloud Room

Kevin Sur is the founder of Artist Home. A local event company inspired by art, community and using their voice and event to help move artists forward. Artist Home produces local festival Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival, King County’s CHOMP, as well as a slew of events in the region and around the country. Before starting artist home, Kevin spent nearly a decade on the road as a touring musician and getting a degree in music theory and composition. He uses this background as a working artist as the inspiration for his events and finding his and Artist Home’s place in the music community.

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Join The Cloud Room team! Now hiring Community Lead

While we're very sad to see the inimitable Brittaney Bunjong move onto LA this spring, we are also excited to see where the next chapter leads. The Cloud Room is now accepting applications for our brand new Community Lead position! 

We are looking for a collaborative, creative, pragmatic, and passionate individual to contribute to the success of The Cloud Room. You will be responsible for overseeing the community: understanding each member’s business needs and personal goals and providing resources to support their success. You will develop relationships with members, proactively gather information on their hopes and dreams, and identify other Cloud Room services or people in our network that can help them achieve their goals.

Some things you might be doing include:

  • Support members’ daily needs – general questions and inquiries, welcoming guests, mail distribution
  • Tailor meaningful tours for prospective members
  • Properly onboard and conduct exit interviews with members, and assist with the move-in and move-out process
  • Sign up and orient new members, including entering data into our member portal and QuickBooks for billing.
  • Promptly communicate member status change details to bookkeeping and accounting department to ensure proper billing
  • Oversee and maintain conference room and Cloud Mezz rental calendar and support Events Coordinator with events calendar
  • Provide basic technical support for copy machines and printers and ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity
  • Update weekly newsletter template with upcoming events, new members, opportunities, and programming
  • Support Marketing Director and Events Coordinator with social media postings and ad creation in conjunction with Marketing calendar, as needed

If this sounds like you click here to see the full job description and application links. Application closes MAY 1. 

We can't wait to meet you!

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The Cloud Room Suggests: April

Find below all the local happenings we think are worthwhile in Seattle and beyond for April! Some are at our space, some are around town- either way there's so much culture, food and art for you to consume this month. 

Seattle Restaurant Week: Through April 19th

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Dining deals abound during Seattle Restaurant Week, Sundays through Thursdays, April 2 – 19, excludes Easter Sunday. More than 165 local restaurants are serving up three-course dinners for just $33, and many also offer two course lunches for $18.

 

Silent Movie Monday's at Paramount: Every Monday in April

Silent Film Mondays Cloud Room Seattle

Step back in time with the Paramounts silent movie series. All films accompanied by live organ and this years series focus's on the female stars of a bygone era. 

4th Annual Masonry Farmhouse Beer Festival: April 7th

KEXP Farmhouse Cloud Room Seattle

A curated beer and music experience by our friends at KEXP.

Cecile Richards: April 9th

Cecile Richards The Cloud Room

Join women's rights advocate and president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Cecile Richards for a discussion of her new book, Make Trouble

Hannibal Buress: April 11th
 

Hannibal Buress Cloud Room Seattle

Hannibal Buress is a wildly popular comedian, writer and actor who is a favorite of fans and critics on big and small screens alike. With his first national theatre standup comedy tour sold out and The New York Times lauding him as one of the most "supremely gifted and respected" comics around, Hannibal is emerging as a comedy superstar.

Inspired Seattle at the Cloud Room: April 19th

Kevin Sur the Cloud Room Seattle

Kevin Sur is the founder of Artist Home. A local event company inspired by art, community and using their voice and event to help move artists forward. Artist Home produces local festival Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival, King County’s CHOMP, as well as a slew of events in the region and around the country. Before starting artist home, Kevin spent nearly a decade on the road as a touring musician and getting a degree in music theory and composition. He uses this background as a working artist as the inspiration for his events and finding his and Artist Home’s place in the music community.

Earth Day: Everywhere April 22'd

Earth Day Cloud Room Seattle

We only get one planet, and its under attack from all angles. Support and love your earth while its green and wholesome at these Stranger recommended Earth Day events. 

Black Bois: April 26th

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Black Bois is a movement and theater piece that explores how black men/bois grieve, show rage, express joy, and cry. Dancer and choreographer Dani Tirrell looks into the depths of these emotional states and asks, How do we live with our pain? Who are we really in our pain? And how do we show love towards each other? Inspired by the lives of Kalief Browder and Tamir Rice, Black Bois is a meditation on being a black boi/male in the United States. Featuring live music, collaboration with a large cast of local artists/performers, community classes, and installations, this performance project celebrates black bodies in space and provokes an emotional engagement with movement.

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Announcing the Cloud Room Social Innovation Scholarship

Seattle Cloud Room

The Cloud Room is proud to announce the launch of our Social Innovation Scholarship. This program is intended to support emerging leaders in culture, community organizing, social justice, and technology dedicated to bettering Seattle's present and future. People of color, women, queer and non-binary folks are actively encouraged to apply. Applications accepted through April 30th.

The Social Innovation Scholarship program includes

Full annual Floating Membership (3,300)

Access to community mentors in:

Branding

Nonprofit business structure and management

Digital marketing

Community organizing

Fundraising development

Hosted annual fundraiser at the Cloud Room ($5,000 value)

How to Apply:


Please send an approximately two and a half minute video or essay to hello@cloudroomseattle.com answering the following questions:

  1. What are you working on? Is it a project, product, campaign or something else entirely?
  2. What do you see as Seattle's biggest challenge in the present or future?
  3. How does the work you do address or answer this challenge?

All videos should be accompanied by applicants name, email and website/social handles.

We can't wait to see what you're working on!

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