A continuation of the Firestone art installation is taking place this weekend, bringing new life to the former tire shop on NW Market Street once again.
After drawing crowds in May with a burst of color, murals, and immersive art installations, the shuttered structure at 1145 NW Market St. will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 12, for an encore event that continues its transformation from vacant space to creative hub.
Dubbed The Firestone, Seattle-based artists Aaron Asis and Brady Black launched the initiative with support from the City of Seattle and the One Seattle Graffiti Plan. Its goal, Black says, is to invite the public “to think about buildings, public spaces, and the impact of art in our city.”
The upcoming activation will include community paint walls, live mural painting from local artists, and a new interior installation—all free and open to the public. DJ sets and food will be available, making it a full afternoon of art, music, and community participation. The event coincides with the Mayor’s Day of Service.
More than 40 local artists are contributing to The Firestone, a temporary exhibit that uses art to reimagine dormant spaces across Seattle. The Ballard location—vacant since Firestone closed and soon to be redeveloped into a mixed-use apartment building—serves as a prototype for what Black calls “new models for neighborhood activation.”
When it first opened in May, artists painted the exterior with bold murals and created immersive works throughout the interior. The launch drew neighbors, passersby, and art enthusiasts into the space, sparking conversations about how vacant buildings might be temporarily repurposed for community and creative purposes.
Now, with its second public event, The Firestone is inviting Ballard back inside.
“This project brings together community, art, and government,” Black said, “to demonstrate the unique ability of the creative community to transform underutilized urban conditions into profound and memorable public experiences that reconnect us all with the spirit of community and creativity in Seattle.”
The event is free and open to all on July 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring their curiosity—and maybe a paintbrush.
Video by Akira Ohiso