 |
City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
|
NEWS ADVISORY
|
| SUBJECT: Mayor Celebrates Opening of Vera Project at Seattle Center
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/20/2007 3:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
|
Mayor Celebrates Opening of
Vera Project at Seattle Center
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today cut the ribbon on the new Seattle Center
home for the Vera Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing
opportunities for teenagers to make great music and art.
The new center includes 9,500 square feet for performance, a recording studio,
classroom, cafe, art studio, art gallery and administrative offices. The site
on the Seattle Center campus was formerly called the Snoqualmie Room.
“By giving teens a place to create art and connect with an audience,
the Vera project has been instrumental in fostering the vibrant music scene
we have in Seattle,” Nickels said. “Today I am proud to open the
doors to a great new facility in the heart of our cultural community at Seattle
Center.”
The new location will allow the Vera Project to increase its work with other
arts groups on campus and provide a solid, consistent location for safe, tolerant,
respectful and drug-free events.
“In its first six years, Vera has had an audience of more than 70,000
and this space allows us to reach so many more,” said Shannon Roach,
executive director of the Vera Project. “This new facility and the city's
support make Seattle a leader in encouraging young people’s creative
expression.”
The city helped fund the project with a grant of $450,000. The city has provided
up to $50,000 a year to the Vera Project since 2001.
“Opening day for the Vera Project is a great day for Seattle Center,” said
Robert Nellams, Seattle Center director. “Vera’s goal of engaging
youth in music and the arts fits perfectly with Seattle Center’s goal
to delight and inspire each of us. We look forward to a great future together.”
BACKGROUND
The Vera Project is an all-ages, youth volunteer-run music education and music
venue in the heart of urban Seattle. Since its inception in 2001, the Vera
Project has had more than 70,000 people come through its doors to see bands,
create art, learn music industry trades and professions, socialize, and gain
leadership skills to take back into the music community.
The Vera Project is currently undergoing a $1.8 million capital campaign
to renovate its new space under the shadow of the Space Needle at Seattle
Center. To date $1.45 million has been raised, and the first phase of construction
is completed.
Vera has turned a one-story 6,500-square-foot conference room into a two-story
9,500-square-foot multi-purpose youth-music venue, including a 300-400 capacity
showroom with a professional-level stage, lighting and sound/recording system,
silkscreen studio, art and performance gallery, classrooms, offices and multi-use
conference room.
Live Showroom
In cooperation with Seattle area young people, Vera produces an average of
two live music shows each week. . Volunteer learning experiences are available
in all aspects of event planning, including booking, promotions, volunteer
coordinating, event management, lighting, and live sound engineering.
Recording Studio
Vera’s technical program is for all young aspiring live-sound & recording
engineers, stage managers and lighting designers. Vera has monthly workshops
and training opportunities that will take a novice to an expert in about nine
months. Hands-on training opportunities are available at each of the concerts
for further experience. In Vera’s new home, there is a large professional
recording studio offering discounted studio time for young bands and regular
workshops and classes.
Silkscreen Studio
Vera’s silkscreen studio offers the opportunity to learn the art of silkscreening.
Since beginning the silkscreen program in 2004, this community studio has been
the workshop of many local artists and silkscreeners (beginners and pros alike)
who have produced posters, t-shirts, comic books and more. In the new venue
the silkscreen studio is double its previous size, allowing for growth at every
level, including increased class capacity, room for a four-arm t-shirt press
and other large professional equipment.
Art Gallery
Ver(a)rt Space is run by a youth member committee that collectively selects,
curates, and promotes established and upcoming artists in Seattle. The gallery
continues to be a resource to the local visual arts community, giving many
new artists their first public showings.
Classrooms
Structured classes and workshops are important parts of the Vera community.
New classrooms give Vera expanded opportunities to accommodate smaller groups
for learning experiences.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity
and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
- 30 -
Office of the Mayor
| 
