Slave to the Needle celebrates 20 years in Seattle

Gallery Axis in the historic Pioneer Square district of Seattle was the location for this summer’s main event. Aaron Bell started slave to the Needle in 1995. On August 1^st, in celebration, Slave to the needle hosted a fully catered party, which coincided with the Slave 20 group art show. Slave 20, made up of 20 resident and guest artists from both Slave to the Needle locations, consisted of and array of full bodysuit and backpiece designs. There were approximately 250 clientele and close friends who came from far and near to help Aaron and Malissa celebrate this milestone. Some of the familiar names in the crowd were Manuel Valenzuela, Jeff Gogue, Bob Tyrrell, Vyvyn Lazonga, Mal from Tokyo, Anna Paige, Bill Funk, and Ms Mikki, who drove her bike up from Portland. Local artists Tim Mcarthy, and Damon Conklin—as well as other Slave to the Needle veterans—stopped by to acknowledge Aaron’s milestone as well. All the artists from Slave To The Needle’s Wallingford and the Ballard Shops came by to view their art on the walls and be an iatrical part of the celebration. Artists like Andrea Ottlewski, Andrew Snowdon, Chris Thompson, Clark Kent, Daniel Charneski, Eli Bischof, Elijah Cole, Greg Colligan, Honest Jon, John Fitzgerald, Jon Gilbert, Josh Martin, Josh Schwegel, Kiwi Matt, Kristjan Olson, Levi Polizin, Lindsey Lawson and Rok were all in attendance. It was a fantastic event! Sunday the out of towners congregated at Aaron and Melissa’s for a barbeque that Manuel Valenzuela and his girlfriend Cresha prepared, and it did not disappoint. Food, leftover kegs, and floating on the lake were a perfect cure for the hangovers. Congratulations to both Aaron and Melissa Bell and the entire Slave to the Needle crew for a job well done. We’ll see you in another 20 years. View event photo album on FB here. —Richard Todd