At The Garden

July 15th through July 20th — A nonprofit arts organization, Arrived Creative Collective and TASWIRA Gallery present a combined group exhibition and film festival curated by Award-winning Film Director/Photographer, Nathan Abia Lawer-Yolar, and Seattle Gallerist, Avery Barnes.

Creativity thrives “At The Garden”, allowing all forms of life and art to bloom at their own pace, with roots passing water’s nourishment, connecting one another — an environment where there’s enough to go around. The towering trees part way to make space for light, where newly seeded forms can sprout. A debut of poetic film by Nathan Abia Lawer-Yolar, sets the stage for “At The Garden”, a community of 15 BIPOC emerging and established visual artists who’ve been hand selected connecting themes that share stories of transformation, resilience, and bloom.

Featured artists include:

Moses Sun, Nifemi Madarikan, Prachy Mohan, Lara Kaur, Daniel Kodjo Seddo, Felix Amenyo, Tasanee Durrett, Teni Ayo-Ariyo, Sanwal Deen, Nathan Abia Lawer-Yolar, Cheyenne Araujo, Ashley Robinson, Kyla Cantillo, Beniam Yetbarek and Elissa Gibson.

This is different. “At The Garden” invites you to a sanctuary of reflection: How do we create when our minds are crowded? How can rest and renewal become part of the artistic process? Through painting, photography, sculpture, and short film — in the heart of Pioneer Square for just 6 days, a unique world awaits where ideas are planted, nurtured, and given the freedom to grow in an era of unceasing breaking news.

This exhibition is supported in part by the 2025 Arts Projects Grant from 4Culture.

Meet The Curators

Nathan Abia Lawer-Yolar, Founder and President of nonprofit, Arrived Creative Collective, is a film director and photographer recently featured in Ghana’s 2025 Africa Film Society’s Festival. Nathan has also been selected for the prestigious Seattle Black Film Festival at the Langston Hughes Center for 2025. Nathan has curated 4 previous Arrived shows held in Oakland, Detroit and New York City.

“Creativity isn’t a to-do list, it’s a garden that needs tending. This exhibition is an invitation to slow down, to find inspiration in repose, and to embrace the ebbs and flow of the creative process.” – Nathan quotes.

Avery Barnes, Founder of TASWIRA Gallery in Pioneer Square and City of Seattle Arts Commissioner, has been titled “The Connector” by the Seattle MET Magazine and a Forbes Seattle 30 Under 30 awardee in 2023. Barnes is a young self-taught entrepreneur, curator, art advisor and community builder whose passion for cultural empowerment led her in 2022 to establish one of Seattle’s leading contemporary art galleries, focusing on stories of the African diasporas, inspired by her experiences developing women’s initiatives in Kenya since 2019.

“At The Garden is a magnificent showcase of sublime beauty and contagious optimism. And our only assignment right now as a collective, as a community, is to stay rooted in our light, seek truth, commit to watering ourselves with knowledge, and in the midst of our journeys – utilize one another and allow for the miracles to unfold gracefully.” – Avery mentions.

Exhibition Programming:
Location: The Delmar Building | 118 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98104
Collector’s Preview: July 15, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, MEDIA AND INVITE ONLY

Ticketing is free with RSVP.

Opening Night: July 16, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM, RSVP HERE

July 17, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Film Festival Premier (7pm), RSVP HERE

July 18, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Artist talk and panel discussion (7pm), RSVP HERE

July 19, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM – “The Garden Groove” (7pm), RSVP HERE

July 20, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Seattle Art Fair After Party (8pm), RSVP HERE

About Arrived Creative Collective

Arrived Creative Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization that supports emerging artists by providing opportunities for creative growth, collaboration, and community engagement. Through exhibitions, workshops, and artist residencies, we cultivate spaces where artistic voices can thrive.

Follow us: @arrivedcollective and www.arrivedcollective.co

About TASWIRA

Debuted exhibitor at the Seattle Art Fair in 2024, TASWIRA Gallery is a cornerstone of Seattle’s art community and continues to redefine the possibilities of contemporary art and cultural dialogue. Following its grand reopening in December 2024, and sold-out exhibition by artist Cristina Martinez titled ‘To the Ones Who Remain Unbroken’, TASWIRA remains committed to serving as a destination that embraces cultural interconnectedness where art, storytelling, and community converge.

Instagram: @TASWIRA.Gallery Website: TASWIRA.org