HISTORY

The first work of art at Canvas is the building itself, extensively renovated to designs by Roy McMakin and Domestic Architecture. The building dates to the mid-’50s, when it served as the workshop and warehouse of Western Bridge, a general contractor in Seattle. Through the rest of the century the warehouse served a range of industrial businesses.At the beginning of the 21st century the building was renovated to serve as the site of a contemporary art space, named after the building’s original tenant.

McMakin’s design for Western Bridge overlays a symbol of domesticity — the double-hung house window — onto the entry of a concrete warehouse, pointing to Western Bridge’s dual status as a public home for a private collection. Inside, the building wove private and public spaces in an interlocking composition, offering galleries in a range of scales to suit art in various media. Western Bridge operated between 2004 and 2012 as a nonprofit exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art, founded by local Seattle art collectors. The collection contains works in video, photography, and other media by an international roster of mid-career and emerging artists, which have been exhibited in many major museums in North America and Europe. Western Bridge also commissioned new installations from various artists. Art is celebrated all around the space, from the architecture to the walls; it is a masterpiece in itself.

While operating as an art space, Western Bridge was home to many events and celebrations. Designed to bring people together, Western Bridge became a place of culture, togetherness and thought.

Canvas has expanded on the idea of Western Bridge and has expanded into a true event venue that still celebrates art, togetherness and family. Come see for yourself the true beauty that Canvas offers.