It was a reunion on East Union on Saturday as Community members gathered at the newly re-named Made Space to celebrate the re-opening of what was formerly called The Liink Project. Founder Stephanie Morales cut the ribbon with community members, artists, and well wishers all looking on in support.

“It’s really exciting to re-open this space and focus on the things that we're really working on that I really have a passion for,” Morales said. “I firmly believe everybody's a creator in some way, that we all have something to give. This space is a place that we can all come to and communicate and commune with each other.”

Made Space {formerly The Liink Project} is an Art, Culture, and Business Hub activated in early 2021. It is about connecting emerging Black creatives and entrepreneurs with resources, space, knowledge, and visibility. Beyond a space, Made Space is a concept about partnership, knowledge, cooperative economics and thriving together.

“I want everybody to understand that the creativity they have inside of them has value,” Morales said. “That's what the idea is in this space. The idea is, we make time, we make art, we make community, and it's just a really intentional type of place.”

The space is one of a few left in a historically thriving artistic and cultural scene. Seattle artist Aramis Hamer, who was present for the opening, said it’s important to have spaces like Made Space and she’s proud of Morales for keeping the tradition alive.

“The part that makes this moment bittersweet is that this is one of the few spaces that's actually ran by an artist in this particular region that has such a rich history of Black folks and People of Color,” Hamer said. “I feel like Stephanie is really doing her part of trying to hold down the fort and make accessible space available for people who have been pushed out.”

Hamer said the space holds special meaning to her, since it was an accessible venue for her to show work when she was starting out.

“It's already hard enough to live, and part of us living as artists is showing and exhibiting our work,” Hamer said. “If we don't even have a space to show it, then what are we doing here? She's making it possible.”

You can learn more about Made Space here, and watch our full recap of the event above.