REFLECTIONS | 2024: An Unforgettable Year of Arts, Culture, and Community in the South End
The Emerald will be observing a team-wide wellness pause from Dec. 20 to Jan. 6, and most publishing will be on hiatus, with the exceptions of four pieces, of which this is one, wherein editors look back at 2024 and some of the work that made the Emerald shine.
2024 gave us another year of incredible arts and community events in the South End. From book releases by local authors, film festivals, and art exhibits to street festivals, live music, and theater, the South End has the best arts and entertainment in the city — at least I think so!
As the Arts, Culture, and Community editor at the Emerald, I invite you to reflect back on some amazing arts and culture moments this year and celebrate the hard work of our amazing contributors. Read on for more about our regular writers and photographers and click the links to revisit their work.
I'd be remiss to not also cast a gaze of appreciation to our peerless editors Bridget McKenna and Amanda Sorell, and the Emerald's digital editor, Megan Christy, probably the hardest-working Emeraldite there is. Thank you!
As a small nonprofit newsroom, we do our best to cover everything we can, and we're always looking for story ideas and tips. If you have a tip for us, don't hesitate to reach out at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.
On behalf of the Arts, Culture, and Community team, thank you for supporting the Emerald this year!
First of all, Emerald contributor and seasoned Arts writer Jas Keimig kept us in the know with their indispensable monthly Arts Roundups, covering everything from pop-up markets and shows to live performances, exhibits, and so much more. Thank you, Jas!
They also interviewed a handful of local luminaries, like hip-hop phenomenon Oblé Reed, choreographer and movement artist dani tirrell, and multidisciplinary artist Tariqa Waters. Jas has a keen ability to go beyond the art itself to the deeper story. Their Dark and Tender article explores a project that supports platonic intimacy among Black men, and their memorial of Tuan Nguyen is one of the best Emerald articles this year, in my opinion, telling a story of immigration, family, and identity through art.
The Emerald is indebted to Agueda Pacheco Flores for covering Latino community events, like this year's Bidi Bidi Bom Bash, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the Burien Latino food guide — seriously, check this one out! Pacheco Flores also contributed articles in English and Spanish, like her interview with comic Angelo Colina. Thank you, Agueda!
This year, Patheresa Wells covered a slew of events, like the first-ever Genius Conference and Trans Pride Seattle, as well as a book review of Kathya Alexander's Keep A'Livin' and moving tributes to beloved cornerstones of communities: Dr. Maxine Mimms and Bridgette Hempstead. Patty approaches every story with care, making her a highly skilled community reporter and storyteller.
I was also honored to work with contributor Jenn Ngeth, who covered the Cambodian New Year street festival, Nepantla's Lowrider Block Party, the play Sanctuary City, and more. Nura Ahmed contributed a story commemorating the dazzling art piece that is The Red Chador. Sarah Goh reported on South Seattle-based Tubman Center for Health & Freedom, a nonprofit health and community center that operates at the intersection of medicine and collective liberation, and Chinatown Records, a music and memory project. Oliver Miska interviewed Julian Everett, a leader in Seattle's ballroom scene.
Amanda Sorell swapped out her editing hat for a writer's pen for a seasonal foraging guide series, the Emerald's Guide to Free Food, articles on social media and mental health, and our Meet Our Rainmakers and Behind the Emerald Curtain series.
New-to-the-Emerald contributor Juan Jocom reported on Seattle's drag king scene and the Legendary Children ball, and Joey Carreon wrote reviews of some South End food spots you don't want to miss: FryZone and Umami Kushi.
Our coverage wouldn't have been complete without contributions from Alex Garland and Susan Fried, two veteran photographers renowned for their work in local and national media. Garland introduced readers to the new incarnation of MacPherson's Produce, a beloved Beacon Hill produce stand, and Doney Coe Pet Clinic, the new SoDo home of a clinic that serves low-income people with pets.
Fried had her own show this year at the Northwest African American Museum — that's just how legendary she is! Check out Fried's beautiful photo essays on South Park's Fiestas Patrias Parade, as well as this year's Reunion on Union, Umoja Fest, and an up-and-coming cat convention called Sea Meow.
Stay tuned for even more outstanding Emerald Arts reporting in the new year, and if our work inspires you, please consider becoming a one-time or recurring donor. It's your support that makes our coverage possible!
The South Seattle Emerald is committed to holding space for a variety of viewpoints within our community, with the understanding that differing perspectives do not negate mutual respect amongst community members.
The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the contributors on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the Emerald or official policies of the Emerald.
Help keep BIPOC-led, community-powered journalism free — become a Rainmaker today.
