An upcoming public art event will once again transform the vacant former Firestone Tire building on NW Market Street into a temporary creative space.
Organizers of The Firestone Project say they will host “The Firestone 3.0: Artist Takeover in Ballard” on Saturday, March 14, inviting the public to explore installations created by more than 40 local artists inside and around the long-vacant structure at 1145 NW Market St.
The free event will run from 6–9 p.m.
The Firestone Project is a public art initiative that aims to reimagine how vacant buildings and empty lots can be used during their transition. Organizers say the goal is to demonstrate how artists can temporarily activate dormant spaces and bring people together while long-term redevelopment plans remain uncertain.
“This exhibition will bring together art, community, and ownership to demonstrate the power that artists have to transform underutilized spaces into memorable experiences — while we’re all waiting for the next thing to happen,” co-organizer Aaron Asis said in a statement.
The event this month will feature work from more than 40 local artists, highlighting collaboration and encouraging residents to engage with the site through art installations and creative interventions.
According to organizers, the project also seeks to highlight the broader role artists can play in shaping Seattle neighborhoods.
“This activation is about bringing artists to the forefront — The Firestone is about challenging the city’s idea of what public art should be, and how murals can activate,” said co-organizer Brady Black.
The event is the latest phase of an evolving public art effort centered on the vacant Firestone building.
The Firestone building, constructed in 1973, has been a fixture along NW Market Street for decades. However, it is slated for demolition as part of a broader wave of development. Plans call for a 7-story, 122-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail and parking for 73 vehicles.
As My Ballard previously reported, artists began planning installations at the site last year to temporarily activate the prominent but unused property along NW Market Street. Earlier phases of the project included murals and community events intended to draw attention to the possibilities for creative reuse while the site awaits redevelopment.
Organizers say the March gathering will continue that effort by turning the building into a temporary exhibition space and inviting residents to experience how art can reshape the feel of a dormant property.
The event is free and open to the public.
Photo by Films about Artists