Wa Na Wari continues to uplift Black artists and provide a community space for the appreciation of art and culture in Seattle. On Saturday, they held the opening of their latest quarterly exhibit featuring work by artists Kristen Banfield, Sable Elyse Smith, Bonnie Hopper, and Amanda Howell Whitehurst and vibes by DJ Surreal.

Co-Founder and Curator of Wa Na Wari Elisheba Johnson said supporting both local and international art is important the gallery.

“We’re one of the few Black owned places that do installation art, so we can get really creative,” Johnson said. “We use arts and culture as a way to uplift community and keep Black peoples in their homes.”

Johnson said the work of Wa Na Wari is two-fold, showing people that not only is there amazing art and the opportunity to show it, but also that there are solutions to gentrification and that Black homeowners can stay in areas they currently live in.

“The fact that Wa Na Wari is here programming with arts and culture means that we pay the rent and then it keeps this legacy Black homeowner here in the neighborhood.”

Local collage artist Bonnie Hopper agrees that the mission of Wa Na Wari is important and is thankful for the opportunity to show her work at the gallery.

“I’m always happy to show and explain my art,” Hopper said. “This is a blast from the past. This area looks so different from when I was growing up here, but it’s really nice to know that this property is still owned and run by African-Americans. This is part of our history here in Seattle, and I’m glad to see that Black people still have a presence in the CD.”

Hopper said her art is meaningful on multiple levels, and that stories and storytelling play a large part in her work.

“When I make my art, I have a story in mind. I just want people to build their own story and imagine Black people in various situations and experience what we experience through our culture,” Hopper said.

Johnson says finding artists like Hopper is a big part of her life, and it’s an honor to be able to create shows like the one that opened on Saturday.

“I’m constantly looking for artists everywhere I go and writing down names and saving stuff,” Johnson said. “When it’s the right time, I start reaching out and putting together a cohesive package of an exhibition.”

Photos by Seattle photographer @tanzanica15 on behalf of Converge Media.