By Reeve Washburn, Art Walk Coordinator

On stage and in life, oftentimes, the second act tells the heart of the story. Patti Curtis, owner of West Seattle’s new Fogue Gallery and founder of Georgetown’s Fogue Studios & Gallery, knows this truth first-hand. Curtis was laid off from her executive-level marketing job at 53, and couldn’t even get an interview in her field, with the harsh reality of ageism. Determined to see the situation as an opportunity, she created a creative space for herself and other artists over 50, garnering national buzz in the process. Now, after nearly three years, Patti and Fogue are coming home to West Seattle. And a lot of people – of all ages – couldn’t be more thrilled.

“I have lived in the West Seattle community for 25 years. I raised my daughter on the very block the gallery is located. I am at home here.” Patti Curtis, Owner, Fogue Gallery

Age is Just a Number

Patti Curtis is an artist herself, with a degree from Cornish College of the Arts, and an extensive background in retail sales, marketing and merchandising. She has dynamic energy, knows her @#$%, is fun to be around and is a stylish dresser – definitely setting the standard for what life can be after 50. Her sass manifests in the name of the gallery – FOGUE – a nod to the iconic VOGUE brand plus the trope of being an “old fogey.” Curtis and her collective of artists are anything but. These creators are in the prime of their careers, breathing into the place they were meant to be for their art, music or writing to flourish. For many over 50, life circumstances have changed, children may be out of the house, there may be more time, fewer inhibitions, and more confidence to make art. As Fogue’s tagline states, “We’re not retiring, we are inspiring!”

Art with Heart

The Fogue brand is Patti’s own, but she’s not in the business for the money. Her support for the arts is heartfelt and genuine and it’s all about what Fogue gives to the community. This great idea has gotten Fogue noticed far and wide, with features on The Hill, CBS, ABC and Seattle Refined. Perhaps the best support, seemingly out of nowhere, was from the Internet domain registrar and web hosting company GoDaddy. They loved her story, made her a GoDaddy spokesperson, and designed and developed, and hosts, her websites. Patti’s been interviewed by their web host and you can see her clip featured regularly in their commercials. This partnership and GoDaddy’s expertise was also essential to Fogue’s survival once the pandemic hit. While Patti pivoted Georgetown’s gallery to an online webstore, GoDaddy beefed up the website to support a robust online sales experience.

“We are together to empower, elevate and support one another in a nurturing and encouraging environment.” Patti Curtis, Owner, Fogue Gallery

Immersive Art Experience

The Georgetown Fogue Studios & Gallery – which Patti sold but still co-partners the brand with the owner – hosts 37 artists in a loft that grew to 6,000 square feet of exhibit and work space. The West Seattle gallery is a more intimate space, a showcase for the art of 15 artists, curated for a richly diverse experience of media, from painting to illustration, sculpture and jewelry. Artists represented by Fogue Gallery rent their wall space and enjoy the company of established as well as emerging artists in the collective. (Just in case you were curious, there is a waitlist to join Fogue in both locations. See the website foguegallery.com to join the mailing list or fill out an application, and pay a visit to each space to understand their differences.)

“Art is about beauty and connection.” Patti Curtis, Owner, Fogue Gallery

With the opening of the West Seattle gallery, Patti has expanded her offerings to include interior design and art consultation via Zoom conference. November was the biggest month for sales at the Georgetown location, signaling an uptick of interest in art gracing the homes we now spend so much of our days in. Patti sees that residents in Seattle and elsewhere have a greater appreciation for how art makes them feel, enhanced by a sense of community between artist and owner. As consultant, Patti will audit your spaces for opportunities and make recommendations about furnishings, colors, scale, and light – as well as art – to unify and beautify your living spaces.

We at the Art Walk are thrilled to have a new gallery in West Seattle, and we know Art Lovers will enjoy adding Fogue Gallery to their walking tours on Second Thursday (in addition to regular business hours). We are also thrilled to have Patti, a former board member of the Georgetown Merchants Association, become an Art Walk Partner and a member of the West Seattle Arts Council, to lend her considerable expertise in neighborhood activation to our organizations. Here’s to more art in our lives, for all ages!

Fogue Gallery is located at 4130 California Avenue SW, Seattle, Washington 98116. Gallery hours are Monday to Wednesday: CLOSED, Thursday: by appointment only, Friday: 12pm-6pm, Saturday and Sunday: 12pm – 5pm. Fogue Gallery will also be open on Art Walk Second Thursdays, 5pm ’til late.

Contact Patti Curtis at to make a consultation appointment: (206) 717-4334, or design@foguegallery.com.

You can learn more about Fogue Gallery at their website. 

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Read more Business Spotlights on our West Seattle Art Walk blog: Inner Alchemy, The Office of Rebecca Mitsui, Northwest Art & Frame, Wild Rose’s,  West Seattle Garden Tour + Capers Home, Canna West Seattle + Culture Shop, West Seattle Art Nest, John L. Scott West Seattle,  The Building, Mural Alley Unveiling, Brace Point Pottery and Gallery,  Admiral Junction Art Walk, Morgan Junction Art Walk, and Brookdale West Seattle.