About Us

"Racism - it was waiting for me as I left my mother's womb. It is institutional. It is built into society. The traditional values and beliefs of people of color hold the universal consciousness of mankind. We have racism because this consciousness has been silenced. Art can make this consciousness heard by creating an equitable reality where cultural diversity flourishes. Cultural diversity needs to be nurtured and valued." -Marita Dingus, 1992

This quote from the celebrated artist of African descent, who grew up in Auburn Washington, captures the impetus behind the City of Seattle employees who formed a Coalition of ethnic affinity groups in 2009 to create the gallery and to encourage collaboration between the City's affinity groups and employees of all stripes. In our first year we quickly added an annual Summer Picnic where all City employees, their families and friends, are invited to nurture friendships and mutual understanding through food and fun. Both of these efforts support RSJI core values by reaching out to our diverse populations and ethnic communities, enriching cultural appreciation, and strengthening everyday collaboration and productivity amongst City employees. Other collaborative efforts, triggered by current events, are consistent with our focus to enrich lives, and build equity and justice. We invite your ideas, participation, and support.

EHAG History

The Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery (EHAG) was founded in January 2009 by a coalition of four City of Seattle Affinity Groups: City Light Black Employees Association (CLBEA), Filipino American Civic Employees (FACES), Latino City Employees (LCE), and City of Seattle Native American Employees (CANOES). Recognizing that art displayed within the City properties, as well as the community in general, was dominated by Euro-centric art, the coalition set out to provide a space dedicated to raising the visibility of local artists of color and giving them opportunities to tell their cultural/ethnic stories through their art.
In support of the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), EHAG submitted a proposal to Seattle Municipal Tower building management to utilize blank wall space on the third floor as well as the abandoned glass cases on the sixth floor for the purpose of exhibiting artists of color artworks. The proposal established a basic governance structure and a quarterly exhibition schedule centered around the coalition’s respective ethnic celebration months. With the support of the Mayors Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS), the proposal was approved in one day.
Over time many City employees have volunteered and contributed their support to EHAG’s mission. ARTS became a full-fledged partner in 2014, providing support as well as incorporating EHAG’s ethnic artists roster into its own outreach efforts. EHAG also evolved to embrace the greater ethnic/cultural nuances and an exhibition schedule unencumbered by ethnic celebration months.

To learn more on the City's commitment to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity in Seattle, visit the website for the Race and Social Justice Initiative.

For information and inquiries, email us at: EthnicArtGallery@seattle.gov

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