Margo Vansynghel

Seattle

Arts Economy Reporter at Seattle Times

Reporter covering the creative economy for @seattletimes 🎨 Tips? ☞ [email protected]

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Articles

Seattle Art Museum to replace longtime lobby sculpture with new piece

Feb 4, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

On Monday afternoon, the sound of stainless steel cables snapping rang through the Seattle Art Museum’s lobby. With wire cutters and laser focus, John Grade strategically cut the cables that have held aloft one of Seattle’s most famous public art pieces for years. “Middle Fork,” Grade’s 105-foot cedar sculpture that has hung from the ceiling of SAM’s entrance lobby since 2017, is coming down, allowing the museum to hang a brand-new commission by Los Angeles duo FriendsWithYou.
Eric Scigliano, eclectic writer on Seattle, art, elephants, dies at 71

Jan 28, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

Eric Scigliano, the long-form Seattle journalist known for award-winning articles and books that dug deep into topics ranging from marine science to local politics, died last week in a diving accident in the Galapagos Islands. He was 71. His death was confirmed by his brother, Brian Scigliano, and daughter Kate Scigliano.
Ginny Ruffner, renowned Seattle glass artist, dies at 72

Jan 23, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

Ginny Ruffner, the pioneering Seattle artist and innovator who helped put Seattle on the map as a national hub for glass art, died Monday in her Ballard home. She was 72. Ruffner’s death was confirmed Wednesdayby her gallerist, Sarah Traver, and close friend, Seattle artist and educator Marge Levy.
Seattle Symphony CEO Krishna Thiagarajan departing

Jan 22, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

After more than six years at the helm, Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall president and CEO Krishna Thiagarajan is resigning, the Symphony announced Friday. Thiagarajan took the reins in September 2018 and has steered the organization through the pandemic and following recovery. In an interview Tuesday, Thiagarajan said he has been on sabbatical since early December and will remain so until his last day, April 30.
From Ansel Adams to mini golf: Seattle’s must-see winter art events

Jan 20, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

Out with the old, in with the new: As we turn over a new leaf in 2025, here’s how to start the year off right, with fresh exhibits, novel ideas, futuristic techniques and emerging artists. Seattle gallery SOIL crests a major milestone this year: The nonprofit, artist-led co-op celebrates its 30th birthday — which amounts to about 90 years in the art world.
Why the Bellevue Arts Museum executive director stepped down

Jan 8, 2025 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

After steering Bellevue Arts Museum through a gnarly financial storm, executive director Kate Casprowiak Scher has resigned. The museum, which is closed indefinitely, announced Tuesday that Scher had stepped down Dec. 31, 2024. Scher, a former board member, was appointed to lead the museum in September 2023 as BAM’s deep-seated financial challenges came to a head.
SAM agrees on deal with security guard union, ending strike

Dec 11, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

After more than two years of bargaining and a 12-day strike, Seattle Art Museum and its security guard union have reached a tentative contract agreement. The museum and the union announced the news Wednesday in a joint release. The union, which had been on strike since Nov. 29, has called off its work stoppage.
King County sales tax increase funds $70M for arts, culture and science

Dec 11, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

King County will send about $70 million in funding to 720 local arts, science, history and heritage nonprofits next year; 4Culture, the county’s cultural agency, announced the grant recipients Wednesday. The funding — largely drawn from a sales tax increase that began accruing in April — is part of a blockbuster new program expected to inject $700 million into the cultural sector over the next seven years.
As 2 Seattle colleges merge, leaders say it’s a boon for both schools

Dec 5, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

Two private Seattle colleges are joining forces. Seattle University, the largest private university in Western Washington, and the smaller Cornish College of the Arts plan to combine into one school, eventually creating Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University. The schools announced the plans Thursday morning.
Seattle Art Museum security staff goes on strike

Nov 29, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Margo Vansynghel

Holding signs that said “Show me the Monet” and “A livable wage for all art workers,” Seattle Art Museum’s security staffers began their strike Friday morning. About two dozen picketing security staffers — or Visitor Service Officers — and supporters shouted slogans and handed out flyers as downtown tourists looked on, visitors entered the museum and passing vehicles honked.