Empower Alternative Artists in Port Townsend

Hi, my name is Kelsey, and I’m an artist living in Port Townsend, Washington.

Recently, I rediscovered something I had tucked away long ago—a childhood dream of becoming an artist. For years, I focused instead on a career in environmental science/education, but this past year, art became my lifeline. Creating nonstop, I’ve found not only my love for art again but also my voice. My work explores themes of transformation, resilience, and hope through a darker aesthetic. My own journey of transformation through art has allowed me to connect with other artists on similar journeys.

Here’s the problem: while Port Townsend has a strong art scene, it tends to spotlight more vibrant contemporary styles of work. Artists working in darker, alternative, or nontraditional aesthetics don’t feel like they have a place to showcase their work where it will be understood or accepted. I’ve spoken with other artists who feel the same way—talented, passionate, but without a space that welcomes their style.

That’s why I’m starting a collective gallery and shop dedicated to 2D and 3D alternative art called Threshold. This space will showcase original artwork, prints, and merchandise while also hosting workshops, rotating exhibitions, and community events. It will be a place where artists outside the norm can be seen, and where locals and visitors alike can cross into new realms of creativity.

Where You Come In

I’m raising $5,500 to cover essential startup costs, including:

- Leasing and preparing the gallery space in Downtown Port Townsend

- Purchasing panels, shelving, and display fixtures

- Producing high-quality prints of original artwork

- Covering registration, permits, and compliance fees

- Building the foundation for a thriving art community hub

This is more than just opening a gallery—it’s about creating a platform for underrepresented artists, expanding the diversity of our local art scene, and offering the community a fresh, inclusive cultural experience.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps bring this vision to life. Even if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with friends, family, or fellow art lovers makes a huge difference.

Thank you for believing in alternative voices, in community, and in the power of art to transform. Together, we can launch Threshold and give artists—and the community—a space unlike any other in Port Townsend.

—Kelsey