Seattle Opera Hits High Note With Black Artists Market

Dec 18

With over 1000 people through the door last Saturday, the Seattle Opera’s Black Artists Market was a clear example of when intention meets purpose with the outcome being business success for the 30 Black businesses that participated while at the same time bringing a sense of belonging and welcoming for many in Seattle’s Black community in attendance whom for the majority of them was their first time inside Tagney Jones Hall and their first interaction with the Seattle Opera.

Everything about the event was very deliberate down to the date chosen for the event according to Dennis Robinson Jr. who is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Seattle Opera.

“We've chosen today on purpose. You know, this isn't the only thing happening in Seattle Center today. There are two performances of The Nutcracker, two performances of Little Woman, and even a Kraken game later this evening. So we wanted not only the folks who may be connected to the opera or these businesses to come, but all the folks who are walking up and down Mercer Street and during this holiday season to be able to take part.” said Robinson

Dennis Robinson Jr. - Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Seattle Opera (Photo Jordan Somers)

Robinson wasn’t just intentional about the date but also about the partners to pull the event off. The Seattle Opera joined hands with Wa Na Wari, Arte Noir, and The Intentionalist who supported in identifying and organizing vendors and curating the pop-up experience.

There are a few things that the Seattle Opera needed no help with and that would be the live entertainment during the event. Shoppers were delighted throughout the day with live performances from Seattle’s soulful songbird Shaina Shepherd as well as opera singer Ibidunni Ojikutu, jazz singer Jacqueline Tabor, Cellist Gretchen Yanover, and choreographer Jimmy Shields.

Soulful Seattle Songbird Shaina Shepherd was one of several live performers during the Black Artists Market. (Photo Jordan Somers)

For Robinson, the Black Artists Market was a very special moment saying that it is rare to see so many people that look like him inside the Seattle Opera Center.

“As a black man in opera, there are not many opportunities where I get to see a majority of people who look like me in this building or doing work with the opera and so I'm excited to be able to sort of shepherd this opportunity and we look forward to continuing that in February, we're doing a production of X the life and times of Malcolm X, which will be the first opera written by a Black composer performed at Seattle Opera. And so this is just the beginning of some real authentic relationships and engagement with all of Seattle, not just those who come to the opera,” said Robinson.

Marlon Turner owner of Blessed and Thankful (Photo Jordan Somers)

For Robinson and the Seattle Opera the Black Artists Market was a win-win-win in that it drove footfall and new customers to local Black businesses, it sent a signal to Seattle’s Black community that they are welcome at the Seattle Opera in all capacities, and at the same time creating awareness around the upcoming opera X: The Life & Times of Malcolm X which opens in February.

Businesses that participated in the Seattle Opera Black Artist Market are listed below.

A. O. Hamer