On Jan. 2, as temperatures dropped in Seattle, couple Dany Srey-Snow and Devyn Pedrano-Snow opened the doors of their new creative space, Studio 7117, during the Pioneer Square Art Walk. Per tradition, visitors were encouraged to light incense at the Khmer Buddhist altar as the DJ played live music during a bustling market with local vendors like Kent-based custom grillz designer Eyez™, Seattle jewelry designer SHA - RECE, and self-care remedy shop Neary Alchemy — just to name a few.
People weaved through the lower level of this brick building at 117 Cherry St., where a big painting of Angkor Wat decorated one white wall and Khmer and Eastern objects carefully placed throughout the studio evoked a sense of intimate sacredness.
"It's a bridge between the East and the West, a way to honor where our ancestors come from and the deep roots of the practices we share," said Srey-Snow.
Srey-Snow is a Khmer American multidisciplinary artist, mother, healer, women's mentor, and the eldest daughter of Khmer refugees. She received her degree in graphic design and is Reiki-master certified, a yoga teacher, and the founder of Srey Dany Co. Healing and Photography, where she offers boudoir photoshoots, holistic healing services, and more.
Pedrano-Snow is a U.S. Air Force veteran who shifted his focus to filmmaking, music production, and crafting brands. As a Seattleite, he's showcased his dedication to his community for over seven years by working with nonprofits like Nurturing Roots. Pedrano-Snow's passions lie in the visionary stories that are waiting to be told through the BIPOC lens — films from an authentic BIPOC perspective.
"What started as a freelancing opportunity in 2016 when we were expecting our first-born has since grown into a family-owned business that has moved through three states, back home to Seattle, serving our community worldwide," said Srey-Snow.
Through graphic design and filmmaking, the couple is able to create visual storytelling for their clients, whether that's brand identity, film, photography, experimental shows, and more — creating a way for the client to authentically connect with others is at the core of their practice.
As Pedrano-Snow and Srey-Snow's craft for narratives deepened, so did their spiritual practices — expanding their tools to provide more services to the collective, weaving wellness into their expansive list. Studio 7117 is a place to house both their creative and spiritual offerings.
"So much of what we see in mainstream wellness spaces has been stripped of its origins, disconnected from the lands and cultures that birthed them," said Srey-Snow. "Here, I want people to feel that connection — to recognize that these teachings, rituals, and ways of being have lineage, history, and spirit."
"We built Studio 7117 not just as a business, but as a sanctuary, an urban ashram, a place that feels like home. A space that embodies both the sacred and the down-to-earth, a reflection of the motherland, the hoods we grew up in, and the South End community that raised us," Srey-Snow continued.
At the studio, they'll be offering monthly and private bookings for wellness services such as Reiki sessions, yoga, women's circles, men's gatherings, art shows, and more to promote healing in the South End. Srey-Snow hints that some spectacular events will be taking place in April for the upcoming Khmer New Year.
"Here, you don't have to code-switch," Srey Snow said. "You don't have to shrink yourself to fit into a mold. You show up as you are, and that is enough. Whether you come for our creative services, our wellness offerings, or simply to exist in a space that holds grounded, loving energy, Studio 7117 is a home for you. Rooted in love and community, it is a place to create and to just be."
This dynamic team's purpose of generating waves of healing and creativity within their beloved hometown is solidified with Studio 7117. As they continue to conjure the imagery for their clients' stories, their hopes are to further the colorful voices of their community — reaching to the rest of the world. To stay looped in about these future events, follow their Instagram and visit their website for their creative and wellness services.
This article is published under a Seattle Human Services Department grant, “Resilience Amidst Hate,” in response to anti-Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander violence.
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