Founded in 2004, Shift is an artist-run gallery where responsibilities are shared equitably among member artists. This alternative to traditional gallery structure supports independent artistic practices that challenge convention and embrace experimentation, giving members space to test ideas and push their work into new directions.
By presenting member-led exhibitions and collaborative programming with its membership and other Northwest artists, Shift strives to enrich Seattle’s art community and provide a unique space for critical, essential work that expands the discourse of contemporary art.
Shift Gallery was founded by artists Garth Amundson, Stephen Chalmers, Cara Jaye, Pierre Gour, and Joni Papp with the primary goal of creating broader creative freedom for artists to exhibit outside of conventional gallery structures. They aimed to support a diverse cross-section of Northwest-area artists who work in a variety of media and are dedicated to challenging, rigorous content. The founders’ commitment to exploration and artistic integrity carries forward today.
Support the GalleryADDRESS
312 S. Washington Street
Seattle WA 98104
Shift is in the Tashiro Kaplan Arts Complex located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Washington in the Pioneer Square area of downtown Seattle. The gallery entrance is on Washington, near the east end of the building.
HOURS
Fridays and Saturdays, 11am-4pm, plus extended hours on First Thursdays and for special events.
CONTACT
info@shiftgallery.org
INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Every community owes its existence and vitality to generations from around the world. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to leave their distant homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference.
Shift Gallery would like to acknowledge that our members come from many places. Our gallery operates on Indigenous ancestral land; the traditional territory of Coast Salish People, specifically of the Duwamish Tribe (Dkhw Duw’Absh). A people who are still here today. We wish to honor and bring to light their ancient heritage through this small acknowledgment and through a yearly donation of Real Rent to the Duwamish Tribe.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
As long as there are horrific examples of police brutality of Black and Brown people in the United States, it is a clear indication of ongoing systemic racism, and we must resist it in every possible way. As artists, we realize that to tackle racism and white supremacy requires more than the commitment to just be better. We need to expand our artistic footprint and find new and creative ways to express ourselves. We commit to further self-education, more collective action, and more support of causes that make a difference. This is our moment. We seize it fully and inhabit a more creative space, viewed through the lens of inclusivity and diversity. #Black Lives Matter.