Conru Art Foundation · Seattle
What reporters, partner organizations and visitors have said about our free public art spaces: ArtLove Salon, the Coliseum of Art, the Occidental Fine Arts Center and the Seattle Prize fellowship. Their words, linked to the source.
Press coverage
Newest first. Quotes are exactly as published (translations are marked); follow the link to read the whole piece.
“Our goal is simply to give people the chance to be surrounded by beautiful things.”Andrew Conru · translated from Chinese
Interviewed at the Asian Photography Association’s anniversary show at ArtLove Salon, on photography, young artists and free public art spaces.
Read in English (unofficial translation) → Read the interview (in Chinese) →
“hoping to lower the barrier to experiencing art, so that more people can enjoy the work and discover the beauty in everyday life.”China Press, on the free art spaces · translated from Chinese
The Asian Photography Association’s first-anniversary exhibition at ArtLove Salon, with ArtLove Salon and the Conru Art Foundation as lead sponsors.
Read the story (in Chinese) →“Four people who disagree, in the same room, looking each other in the eye and listening.”
Harger on the We Heart Seattle panel he moderated at ArtLove Salon, where both sides of the city’s homelessness debate shared one stage.
Read the column →Evening Magazine broadcast its whole episode from inside the 1916 Coliseum Theatre at Pike and Fifth.
Watch the episode →Rivera’s report on the Coliseum of Art’s free summer exhibition inside the 1916 theatre.
Read the issue →“The temporary exhibition offers a rare peek into the theater’s vast interior, hidden for years above the street‑level shops”
On the Coliseum of Art’s opening as a free summer pilot inside the 1916 landmark.
Read the story →The business press on the Coliseum reopening to the public as an art space. (Subscriber story.)
Read the story →“now it’s being brought into full exposure thanks to a fascinating pilot program called The Coliseum of Art.”
EverOut’s pick for the free show and the tours of the theater’s long-closed upper levels.
Read the listing →“their space is more than a gallery, it’s a place where people can come together and explore human emotions.”
KOMO’s anchor visits the Salon, where admission is free and artists keep every sale.
Watch the story →“enterprises like Base Camp Studio, Actualize AiR, and ArtLove Salon have activated empty buildings.”
ArtLove Salon named among the projects bringing art back into empty downtown buildings.
Read the story →“leaning in to one of his personal passions — art — with the launch of the Seattle Prize Masters Fellowship.”
The launch of the Seattle Prize, a year of studio space, stipend and mentorship for representational painters at 311 Occidental.
Read the story →“We get to actually plan ahead, which is almost foreign to me,”Marty Griswold, publisher of PublicDisplay.ART
The launch of the Conru Art Foundation and its support for the art publication PublicDisplay.ART.
Read the story →Interviews & conversations
Videos load from YouTube only when you press play.
Asian Photography Association · Oct 9, 2026. Diana Yao’s conversation with Andrew at ArtLove Salon about art, community and the foundation’s free spaces.
KING 5 · Aug 21, 2026. Chris Cashman walks the show; the Coliseum segment opens the episode.
Seattle Scott · Aug 12, 2026. A Seattle tour guide’s walk-through of the free show.
More films from the foundation: conru.com/watch
Thank-yous
Public notes from the organizations who used the rooms and the visitors who came by. Quotes are exactly as posted. We’re grateful right back.
“…for the generous support of our Asian Photography Association and for opening the doors of this beautiful Art Love Salon to our community.”Diana Yao, on cameraWatch on YouTube →
“Special THANK YOU to … Andrew Conru and the Conru Art Foundation”Dr. Laura Marie Rivera, before the Lead Like a Mother screening at ArtLove SalonSee the post →
“And we were excited to partner with such a great historical location.”Liz Galloway, after Seattle Magazine’s Tech Week panel at the Coliseum of ArtSee the conversation →
“Hosted with ArtLove Salon and Conru Art Foundation”Art & Culture Week 2026, O-Jak watch party and MMDC performanceSee the post →
“surrounded by 250+ works of contemporary art in one of downtown Seattle’s coolest gallery spaces.”Greater Seattle Business Association, inviting members to Power Connect at ArtLove SalonSee the event →
“We had a JAZZY good time at our August Happy Hour at Art Love Salon, a program of the Conru Art Foundation!”Ellevate Network West Coast North, after its August happy hourSee the post →
“We deeply appreciate the work Andrew Conru is doing to build a vibrant, inclusive arts community in Seattle.”RISE2GETHER, posted by Kexin XuSee the post →
“my favorite part was the way the event space itself is telling a story about where Seattle has been and who we want to be.”Rachel Hansen, on the ColiseumSee the post →
“The second I walked in, I had that full-on AWE moment.”Lourdes Tsukada, on her first visit to ArtLove SalonSee the post →
“The salon, with a mission of fostering a vibrant arts community, is fascinating and sumptuous”Lauren Williams, after a Good Business Network event at ArtLove SalonRead the post →
“If immersive art is your thing, you need to check out @coliseumofart. There are so many fun installations.”monica&jeremy (@every1wa) on InstagramSee the post →
“The arts group now running the space has great free tours. Such a cool thing to get to see.”Sleepathome Camp (@sleepathomecamp) on Instagram, on the ColiseumSee the post →
“It had rad art and they give you a drink! … And it’s FREE. I have been recommending it to locals and visitors.”u/GrumpySnarf in r/AskSeattle, on the Coliseum of ArtSee the comment →
“Sometimes we can have good things. I want to go back and just sit there unhurried”Susan Maughlin Wood, on the Coliseum of ArtSee the post →
Writing a story or want a walk-through? Email press@conruartfoundation.org, or see the press kit.