Back left to right: Gabriel Bello Diaz, Marnee Chua, Deen Wynveen, Jake Fennell, Unknown, Krystal Marx, Amy Hirayama, Levi Fuller, Mel Isidor, José Luis (Pepe) Montero. Front left to right: Timothy Firth, Cypress Manning, Sullivan Forderhase, Eric Acosta, Katie Wilson (now Mayor of Seattle!). [Photo by Cynthia Brothers]

The Clarion West Writers Workshop (CW) and Common AREA Maintenance (CAM) have announced a collaborative partnership to advance development and long-term usage of the El Rey Building — a previously abandoned 30,000 square foot building in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. 

After successfully leading a campaign to acquire the building last year, CAM seeks to establish a long-term, affordable space for artist residencies, classes, and other events which supports both Seattle’s creative community and both organizations’ missions. 

CW and CAM together are developing a residency model which will support multiple artists and writers year-round. The intended residency framework prioritizes sliding scale rates and supporting larger cohorts, allowing artists a distraction-free space to hone their craft, share their work, and collaborate. 

This partnership is especially important for CW’s renowned Six-Week Workshop, as it will provide a long-term, sustainable location that is in-person, affordable, and fully ADA-accessible. To launch this new partnership, Clarion West is making a $100,000 donation to support the necessary building renovations. The funds come through a 2019 bequest made by the organization’s founder, award-winning author Vonda N. McIntyre. 

As of this press release, CAM is launching a $1 million fundraising campaign to support the development, renovation, and long-term stability of El Rey. Donations or pledges in any amount will help move the project forward. You can help by donating to match Clarion West’s pledge here.

Join both organizations as they sign their MOU and Clarion West presents their $100,000 on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The celebration of this event will be held at Common AREA Maintenance, located at 2125 2nd Avenue. RSVP here. 

About Clarion West. The Clarion West Writers Workshop has been held annually in Seattle, WA, since 1984. With over 700 graduates from the Six-Week Summer Workshop, Clarion West has been a significant actor in helping the careers of speculative fiction writers, including women and other writers who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field. Clarion West provides year-round programs to over 1,500 writers annually. Learn more here.

About Common AREA Maintenance. Common AREA Maintenance is an artist led nonprofit in downtown Seattle. They operate art studios, a Risograph print shop, woodshop, bookstore, and performance space, supporting artists and cultural workers through collective resources, and public programming.

They host workshops, exhibitions, and public gatherings year round while developing affordable housing and cultural infrastructure for artists and nonprofit partners. Learn more here. 

[Based on a press release.]