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Pop culture art gallery calling it quits on Capitol Hill

You can build marquee arts projects and create a new arts district to promote the neighborhood — but, still, retail art galleries are going to have a rough go of it on Capitol Hill.

“The rent is expensive,” Ltd. Art Gallery owner James Monosmith tells CHS. “If you’re not dealing with a high cash industry, it’s really difficult to deal with that rent.”

That cold hard fact coupled with his focus on a new job has lead Monosmith and his wife Melissa Monosmith to shut down their brick and mortar presence on Capitol Hill after moving to Seattle four years ago to create the gallery business.

Ltd. and its remaining collection of pop and sci-fi art will live on via the Internet only. You’ll find the Boba Fett-rich collection at ltdartgallery.com.

While there is art for sale on walls nearly everywhere you turn inside its cafes, dedicated art galleries on Capitol Hill are a dying breed, to be sure. The Hill recently said goodbye to the latest casualty when E Olive Way’s Blindfold shuttered after two years of business.

After opening in a space low on Pike and bringing to a stop a seemingly endless going out of business sale at the shoe store before it, Ltd. had relocated in what seemed like a potentially cunning plan to align itself in geeky matrimony with the Gamma Ray Games gaming shop and lounge on E Pine. The move didn’t provide the boost(er pack) the Monosmith’s needed. “We were tying to make it work. As geeky of our artwork is, it’s not exactly the same demographic.”

What was missing, Monosmith said, were customers who would move beyond liking the art to actually purchasing it. With four years of gallery business under his belt, what does Monosmith think of the potential for retail art on Capitol Hill?

“The importance of a gallery is huge,” he said. “It’s the best way possible to showcase. If it’s just up on the wall above diners or whatever it ends up being an afterthought.”

Ltd.’s meat space presence will go out with one last show in February.

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17 Comments
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Maggie
Maggie
9 years ago

Honestly, I think more people would have visited this gallery if the building that houses it weren’t so damn ugly.

I’ve noticed that with other businesses, too, such as Bleu Bistro. When it was in its old space, it was always packed. Then it moved into one of the many generic strip mall type spaces a block away and completely lost its customers. Atmosphere is important, especially when we’re talking about art galleries.

Jim
Jim
9 years ago
Reply to  Maggie

that and every time you would go into the place the male worker there would be too busy playing on his computer not paying any attention to people in his store. Worst nonexistent customer service ever. You got to sell the art not just sit behind a computer waiting for customers to come to you.

I can't believe I'm saying this
I can't believe I'm saying this
9 years ago
Reply to  Maggie

But if people dont want to visit a place with a good product because the exterior aesthetics now turn them off, they’re stupid and wrong. Villa escondida is the best mexican on capitol hill and its located in the back of the broadway mall. That place is a dump.

Mimi
Mimi
9 years ago

I can’t keep up with all of these coming and goings in the neighborhood.

CPJ
CPJ
9 years ago

Ltd. has always been run in an outstanding manner. Both of the owners have always been extremely attentive and helpful every time I’ve been there. They will be sorely missed.

m
m
9 years ago

Ahhhhh… no loss, pseudo art that has no meaning. Lots of it…particularly on Cap. Hill.
Bring us something stimulating that shows focus and creativity….. sorely missing these days on the “Hill” .

No more trash ….. bring us ART! We will embrace and support!

jordy
jordy
9 years ago
Reply to  m

Focus and creativity died on the Hill 30 years ago. And the current is shit is for the . com folks

Cat
Cat
9 years ago
Reply to  jordy

Jordy you nailed it.

Ian
Ian
9 years ago
Reply to  Cat

30 years ago Broadway was chain restaurants, fast food joints and even some high end big restaurants. People have warped view of history. I think it is was great then and also pretty great now.

Timmy73
Timmy73
9 years ago
Reply to  Ian

You get it, Ian. Spot on.

Jim98122x
Jim98122x
9 years ago
Reply to  Ian

But….but… It’s so much more trendy, hipster, and fun to just blame everything on Amazon and Microsoft employees. (Never mind the fact that 30 yrs ago there weren’t nearly as many people earning enough money to actually afford to BUY the art).

zeebleoop
9 years ago
Reply to  jordy

i should print up and sell t-shirts with the phrase, “it was good then but it’s shit now.” for all the ostriches in this city. i’d make a fortune.

Ebe
Ebe
9 years ago

The visual art scene in Seattle is pretty bad overall. Anyone with the real means to collect will travel to NYC, LA or Miami to do so

Rhododo
9 years ago

I will miss this place immensely! It was such a great experience for so many artists, especially the younger crowd. Extremely Geek Chic!! Also with a city that is becoming so heavy on Tech businesses you would think that this Gallery should have had a major positive response. They have been one of the main spots for ECCC and PAX attendees. This art trend is not only in Seattle, Pop Art is also very alive in numerous galleries in LA as well. Graphic Design and Illustration are becoming a bigger influence in Art as Tech Savvy becomes the majority. The sad part is that one of the Seattle outlets for the next generation as artists is dissolving. Art is evolving and the .com generation is growing up with a different way of expression. Art is Art and we should be thankful for the avenues that allow us to create. Thank you so much for all the galleries that are going against the norm. I respect all realms of creation and I admire the craft of so many traditional and unconventional artist, that’s how creation continues to morph and reinvent art. Seattle is still young and sadly we are going to lose so many iconic venues/stores but hopefully we will also gain some in the process. Hats off to you LTD and many thanks, you will be sorely missed!

Jonathan
9 years ago

This was the first gallery I ever showed in. It will always have a special place in my heart for giving me those memories and helping me along my way. Love you guys and sucks to see you go!

Paul Johnson
9 years ago

That was a great little gallery and will be sorely missed.

RainWorshipper
RainWorshipper
9 years ago

I couldn’t afford to buy the art but loved what you had. Wish you well in the future and just bookmarked your online site. Live long and prosper.