September 14 - October 16 2026

“From Hwagae Market to Pike Place Market”

Stories of Immigrant Life through the Spirit of the Marketplace - Curated by Kellis Parlett

Artwork

September 14 – October 16, 2026

Opening Reception: September 18, 2026; 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Stories of Immigrant Life through the Spirit of the Marketplace.

A marketplace is more than a site of trade; it is a cultural space where people gather, exchange, and sustain community. Korea’s Hwagae Market, located at the border of Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do, symbolized harmony between regions and brought together diverse goods and people. Seattle’s Pike Place Market, preserved through the determined efforts of its citizens, continues to thrive as a vibrant symbol of the city.

Though separated by time and place, both markets embody the shared values of harmony, preservation, and community spirit. In this exhibition, the Korean American Artists Association of Washington seeks to reflect on immigrant life through these values. Our community, having crossed the ocean while holding onto its roots, has built new lives and new bonds in the United States, echoing the enduring spirit of the marketplace.

Presented at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery, this exhibition features both installation and 2D works. Through these diverse forms, we hope to foster deeper empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience, especially among those who live in Washington State today.

Through the works of Korean American artists, this exhibition shares stories of memory, identity, and belonging, inviting audiences to witness how the marketplace becomes a metaphor for the immigrant journey. By connecting Hwagae Market and Pike Place Market, we illuminate how past and present, homeland and diaspora, converge through art. 

Artist

Kellis Parlett

Guest Curator

In 2025, Kellis Parlett played a leading role in organizing four major exhibitions through her work with the Korean American Artists Association of Washington State (KAAW). Collaborating closely with fellow board members, she helped expand exhibition opportunities for member artists, offering a vital platform for visibility and growth. She continues to develop future curatorial plans that will further enrich both the regional arts scene and the Korean American community.

Kellis has studied various forms of art from an early age through a structured and immersive education, which laid the foundation for her strong artistic sensibility and practical curatorial skills. Her work is widely supported across Washington State and within the Korean American community for its emotional depth, cultural resonance, and inclusive vision.

Her curatorial journey began at Nabi Art Center in Seoul, where she interned under the head curator and librarian before joining the team as an artist scout and exhibition coordinator. She contributed to the launch of the Ssamzie and its affiliated art gift shop in 2004.

Currently, Kellis serves as General Secretary of KAAW, Main curator of the Jade Choe Gallery at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and a member of the Lakewood City Hall Arts Commission. As founder of Hwa Sil Art Studio, she teaches fine art to adults and youth, and continues to organize exhibitions that foster creativity and connection.

As a military spouse, Kellis also contributes to creative initiatives within military families and communities. She currently resides in DuPont, Washington.

Featured Works

Exhibiting Artists