Diane Macrae
Shop owner for local indie artists

Venue

• http://www.venueballard.com

I own a unique shop called Venue which is the combination of work studios and boutique exclusive to local artists in the heart of downtown Ballard.

Many people ask how Venue was started. This is the quick reply:

Venue was started from a personal need to have a work studio away from the home and a storefront to sell my wares. (I am a handbag designer.) After giving it some thought, I realized if I had this need, there must be more artists/designers out there with the very same need. So rather than do this independently, I figured if...[more]

I own a unique shop called Venue which is the combination of work studios and boutique exclusive to local artists in the heart of downtown Ballard.

Many people ask how Venue was started. This is the quick reply:

Venue was started from a personal need to have a work studio away from the home and a storefront to sell my wares. (I am a handbag designer.) After giving it some thought, I realized if I had this need, there must be more artists/designers out there with the very same need. So rather than do this independently, I figured if I could create a bigger space that provided many studios and a showroom that could contain a plethora of arts it would be more of a draw, be more beneficial to more people and overall, make better sense. Thus, the idea of Venue was born because artists are always searching for a great "venue" to sell their work.
We wanted to be a place that is all about creativity and local talent. Venue facilitates classes, workshops and seminars from time to time to give others a chance to tap into their creative side or to learn more about what it takes to run your own business. Venue is all about making connections and community and selling great art !

We celebrate 3 years of being in business at the end of July '08. [less]

• 
  From Barbara Dunshee

  Given on Tue Apr 29, 2008.

  Diane is a 110% kind of person. She takes such joy in going above and beyond, innovating better ways of...[more]

  Diane is a 110% kind of person. She takes such joy in going above and beyond, innovating better ways of making things beautiful and fun and always, always bringing others along. She's an idea person AND a make-it-happen person. Diane brainstormed "Venue", her shop/studio in Ballard Then, from scratch and a dirt floor she made it a living breathing thing. It takes a visit to fully understand what she's done. Start with her website, but go there in person. Meet Diane, be amazed.    [less]