Nii Modo is a downtown cultural institution creating space and opportunities for Seattle’s underserved artists, musicians, and community members. C.M. Ruiz founded Nii Modo in 2015 as an art gallery and cultural center. For two decades Ruiz has been creating […]
Nii Modo is a downtown cultural institution creating space and opportunities for Seattle’s underserved artists, musicians, and community members.
C.M. Ruiz founded Nii Modo in 2015 as an art gallery and cultural center. For two decades Ruiz has been creating a visual identity for Seattle music through his hundreds of posters, record covers, and merchandise for bands, venues, and radio stations. Having a foot in both the performing and visual arts scene, he noticed there was an institutionality in traditional galleries that overlooked and underrepresented emerging artists, avant-garde artists, and artists of color. Nii Modo operates to combat those barriers and exhibit new, eye-opening works of art from these communities as well as being an affordable rental space, resource library for information and harm reduction products, and artists studios.
Nii Modo began in the historic Seven Seas Building (former home of The Lusty Lady) then moved to the Wallingford neighborhood, occupying Big Wheel Auto Parts- and is again in the heart of downtown Seattle. As part of a downtown recovery program, Punk Rock Flea Market gained residency in the ground floor of the Vance Building in the 3rd Ave Corridor, and having a longtime working partnership with Ruiz, PRFM invited Nii Modo to produce a wide range of arts and culture programming including art exhibits & installations, music performances, and community gathering events throughout the year.
We aim to spend excess funds to solidarity networks, nonprofits, and other groups monthly.
2015-2017:
53 Artists represented
20 Musicians hosted
12 All Ages open mic performances
Some of the events we’ve hosted include movie premiers, dance parties, spoken word, private meetings, community dinners and food pop ups, bands and performing arts, theatre, and art exhibits and installations.
Select Exhibiting Artists: Robin Edwards, Julia Tatiyatrairong, YASSA, Kate Bailey, Roberto Hernandez, Kiel Clayton, Cassie Moi, Amanda James Parker
Below: “Reality Massage” by Kate Bailey. (April, 2018)
