In 2016 I graduated college from FIDM in Los Angeles & decided to move back home to Seattle. I was going through a terrible breakup & suffering from the worst wave of depression I’ve ever experienced. I did not know how to get myself out of this dark place and resorted to painting. Art was the only thing that was able to feel like a release for me. It was an escape from my thoughts and I somehow found a way to translate my pain through painting. I wanted to start setting goals for myself to be productive and the end of the year was quickly approaching. A friend and I were talking about what we wanted in the new year and I told him I wanted to put on my first art show. I started planning it soon after and my ideas kept getting bigger. I craved more of everything I had already envisioned. A lot of my fellow creatives were starting to really grab my attention and I wanted to bring people in the community together for an amazing event. I ended up asking a few other artists, live performers, DJs and vendors to come set up shop. The show turned out to be a wild success and I donated all of the proceeds to a local non-profit.

When it came time to plan for the second one, the support was unreal. So many people were wanting to help in any way they could and we tripled the size of the event space, artists, live performers, DJs and vendors. We raised more than 6 times what we had the previous year and all of it went to another local non-profit. After this one I had officially decided to make this a yearly event. Not only has “The Feels” helped me through one of the worst parts of my life, it has been an ongoing contribution to the amazing parts of my life. I have met so many beautiful people through this show and it has opened so many opportunities for growth in all aspects of my life.The best feedback I’ve received from “The Feels” was that ‘it felt good for people in Seattle (especially people of color) to come together and create a good vibe.’ That is why I will continue to make this show happen and do everything I can to make it better each year.

(2019) The Feels III Showcase

(2020) The Feels IV Showcase + Officially an LLC + Kids art program “Art Together”

(2021) The Feels is now going on to produce their fifth year showcase and is in the process of getting their 501c3 + starting The Feels Foundation

www.thefeelssea.com