A new sign popped up in the alley between Shilshole and Ballard Avenue announcing the arrival of a new artists’ collective in Ballard.

Fifty Four Sixteen brings together a broad range of visual arts media and fosters a creative environment.
It houses a glassblowing hot shop, a 1906 letterpress and screen printing facilities.

“We’re all young people in our twenties starting a career in a time when lots of studios are closing,” said glass artist Gregg Clark who is responsible for creating 5416.

“There’s certainly a bit of risk in starting a new business in this time,” Clark said. “We’re banking on the future.”

The collective exists of Brent Rogers, Granite Calimpong, Jenny Wittlinger, Ellie Bemis, John Hogan, and Kris Rumman.

“We’ve all spent our lives in and around Ballard,” said Clark. “We love it here.”

Clark said that in glass blowing, artists usually rent studio place. Having your own space in an artists’ collective creates “efficiency in the numbers”.

“There are mixed feelings regarding the direction in which Ballard is going but I think it’s the natural progression of things and I like it,” he said.

Clark said he’s hoping that the increase in retail in Ballard in general will help the studio successful.

Taught at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in central Seattle, Clark described his work as “classic Italian glasswork with a modern twist”.

“My goal is to create functional items at an affordable price to make glass art accessible to people,” Clark said.

On Sunday, Nov. 28th and Dec 5th, Fifty Four Sixteen will be hosting a studio open house and holiday sale featuring handcrafted gifts, ornaments, letterpress cards, blown glass and live art demonstrations. 

The studio is located at 5416 Shilshole Avenue NW, entrance is in the alley off 22nd. For more information, please visit http://fiftyfoursixteen.wordpress.com/.