at random

this morning i took a great dance class from my friend and then we had lunch in the park and went on a random, destination-less walk around capitol hill.  i had my camera so i took some shots. As we left the park, we walked back toward the art center, and were both startled by the sign on the building "history for lease." the story behind it: a century-old cultural institution, recently sold to a local developer who has decided to convert it into retail and office space, increasing the rent of its current tenants (arts and non-profit orgs, mostly) up 200%, ultimately forcing most of them out.  housing Velocity Dance Center- my second home in this city, the building was one of the first places  i came to know. i am extremely sad to see the destructive forces of gentrification at work in this area!  later on our walk we saw some graffiti on the wall of a garage, "don't be sad" it says, and it made me think that art goes marching right on.  i am focusing my sad energy into creative projects, including a video documentary about the loss of the Odd Fellows Hall.   speaking of creative projects, i need to get back to sewing shirts and planning the art classes i start teaching next week!