SEATTLE AVENUE

The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas is a participant in my Community Partnership Program. So when a person who wants to support this non-profit organization hires me to help them sell or buy a property I will donate an amount equal to 10% of my commission to the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.

This organization is a true Forum — a public meeting place for open discussion; a medium of open discussion or expression of ideas. The ideas being discussed concern African American culture and community around greater Seattle.

Stephanie Ellis-Smith founded the CD Forum in 1999 and tirelessly acts as Founder and Executive Director.

The CD Forum for Arts and Ideas has a Mission Statement: To present and produce African-American cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. They also have a Vision Statement: To inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about African-American culture.

Their programs encourage us to broaden our view of African-American culture.

Their speakers and performers have no limitations or pre-conditions prescribed by race.

Their programs show the uniqueness of African-American culture.

While drawing attention to what makes African-American culture unique, they seek to highlight its integral place within American culture as a whole. The time is ripe to celebrate the diverse talents of African-Americans in all sectors of our society. The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas enriches the Puget Sound region by creating a progressive institution dedicated to the cultural and intellectual enlightenment of every citizen.

The Central District has been home to Seattle’s African American community for over 100 years. It is the birthplace of many world-renowned artists, including the sculptor James Washington, musicians Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix and of Seattle’s famous Jackson Street Jazz scene frequented by Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker. Since the 1920s, the Central District has been a hub for African-American art and artists. Though its demographics are changing, the neighborhood remains the spiritual and cultural center for many blacks in the Pacific Northwest.

By incorporating this historically and culturally significant neighborhood into the name of their organization, they honor the tradition of black arts in Seattle and reflect their mission to explore and celebrate the ways in which the black experience continues to profoundly shape our collective American culture.

Their programs represent a variety of performing arts, readings, lectures and discussions, and youth programs. At the CD Forum’s website you can get information about what’s going on, purchase tickets to events, and donate to the organization.

One of their extremely popular fundraisers is an event called Food As Art. Seattle has become a foodie mecca. Chefs have become highly-paid celebrities with books, tv shows, tour, and newspaper and magazine columns. So Food As Art has become one of Seattle’s premier fundraisers.

About Food As Art

Food As Art is the 4th annual gala benefiting the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas. This lavish event features elaborate tasting stations from Seattle’s top African-American Executive Chefs and restaurateurs. It is a unique opportunity to savor cuisine from all over the world made with only the freshest of ingredients and displayed with all the creativity worthy of a work of art.

The Chefs’ tables are arranged and designed in a visually stunning array around the International Promenade at Bell Harbor. There are no assigned seats–sit with friends or meet someone new. If you are coming with a crowd (ten or more) reserved seating is available. Call 206-323-4032 to reserve a table. Each chef will prepare 2-3 entrees or desserts. Visit as many as you can and get a taste of the world at Food as Art!

The proceeds from Food As Art will expand the CD Forum’s capacity to offer inspirational performing arts, readings, lectures and discussions about the black experience in America.

There are three ticket levels:

• The Main Course: $150 per person (includes unlimited food, drink and revelry PLUS a VIP private reception with the chefs and a souvenir cookbook);
• The Entrée: $100 per person (includes food, drink and revelry);
• Dessert: Be sweet and add on an additional $75 to underwrite the ticket of an artist or culinary student to attend Food As Art.

You can donate, volunteer, and get involved with the CD Forum by contacting Stephanie Ellis-Smith.

Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Founder/Executive Director
Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas
P.O.Box 22824
Seattle, WA 98122-0824

Phone: 206.323.4032
Fax: 206.323.4036

E-mail: info@cdforum.org