10/03/2024
I’m reaching out to share a moment of pride, passion, and encouragement as we celebrate 15 incredible years of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy, a local TV show that has shone a spotlight on thousands of local artists from every corner of Seattle’s diverse creative community. From musicians, painters, and dancers to filmmakers, actors, and writers, Art Zone and its great host Nancy Guppy have given countless Seattle-area artists a platform to share their work and connect with a larger audience.
And now, I hear it’s on the chopping block in the Mayor's proposed new budget.
To name just a fraction of the artists the show has featured over the years: filmmakers like Lynn Shelton, Wes Hurley, and Megan Griffiths; legendary guitarist Bill Frisell; musician Gabriel Teodros; singer/songwriter Brittney Davis; visual artists like painter Brian Sanchez and quilter Joey Veltkamp; actors like Tom Skerritt and Timothy Piggee; writers like poet E.J. Koh and spoken word artist Daemond Arrindell; and dancer/choreographers like Jade Solomon and Mark Morris. The list goes on, each name representing the rich, vibrant soul of our local artistic community.
What also makes Art Zone truly special is that it gives so much to local artists—appearances are free of charge and come with no strings attached. Every artist who appears on the show leaves with a highly produced video, crafted with love and professionalism, which they can use however they deem beneficial. It’s the show’s gift to them, and is a great way of saying: Your work matters, and we are here to elevate it.
As most policy experts know, art can significantly boost local economies, with studies showing that the arts and culture sector contributed over $919 billion to the U.S. economy in 2019, supporting more than 5 million jobs and generating substantial local revenue through tourism, events, and creative industries.
Considering how art-centric Seattle is, this show is a vital resource to help our economy – PLEASE SAVE IT!
Thanks,
Scott Schaefer
Founder/Publisher:
www.southkingmedia.com
