Hindsight, Insight and Foresight at the Dr. James and Janie Washington Cultural Center

Black Arts Legacies

The late couple's Craftsman house in Seattle's Central District is now a cultural center that inspires the next generation of creatives.

The Craftsman-style house at 1816 26th Ave. in Seattle’s Central District is more than a house. It is a museum. And, because of the hindsight, insight and foresight of two Seattleites who loved both art and their community, alongside the work of countless volunteers over many years, it now serves as a treasure chest of inspiration and creativity.

In 1997, James and Janie Washington, the owners of that house, established a foundation to mandate that their home — including its garden and James’ studio — be preserved and used to encourage others to share their talents. From that effort came the Dr. James and Janie Washington Cultural Center.

For this episode of the Black Arts Legacies Podcast, host Brooklyn Jamerson-Flowers tours the James and Janie Washington Cultural Center with several volunteers who are heavily involved in its current operations. She explores the 3,000-book library, James Washington’s studio full of his tools and endless boxes still being processed by volunteers.

In addition to the mandate to preserve the memory of James and Janie, this episode also explores the Washingtons' mandate to encourage continued creativity through the foundation’s artist-in-residency program. This episode features a conversation between Brooklyn and one of the many artists inspired to make art at the cultural center. Through these artists, and each visitor to the Washington Cultural Center, the legacy of the late James and Janie Washington lives on.

See the full Black Arts Legacies project, featuring profiles, photography and videos.

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Credit

Host/producer: Brooklyn Jamerson-Flowers

Story editor: Sara Bernard

Executive producer: Mark Baumgarten

Audio support: Jonah Cohen