Visual
The number eight figures big in the evolution of the screen-printing studio, gallery and storefront known as Innate. If you’re looking for all the intricate details—which involve the 2008 Olympic games, Chinese culture, the infinity symbol and a whole lot more—ask friends and owners Corey Warren and Dylan Warnberg when you see them at the one-night-only mountain art showcase known as “The Cascadian Collection” Feb. 9 at their State Street space. If you can’t get them alone, the following primer should fill you in.
Cascadia Weekly: How did your “individuality, imagination and collaboration” credo come about?
Corey Warren: Our credo comes from a pure translation of our own personal value systems and passions into something tangible for people to support. “Innate” literally means elemental, essential, intuitive and natural. In our context, it means find what you’re naturally good at and do it. We subscribe to the idea that creativity and collaboration are at the core of a free and happy society of human beings, so this is what we’ve built our business model around.
CW: How did the “Cascadian Collection” exhibit come about?
Corey: The show idea came to be through brainstorming months ago with friend and featured artist Colin Wiseman. Seeing the Legendary Banked Slalom as a great opportunity to get a big family of mountain folks together in the name of art, we decided on the date and started to spread the word.
We wanted to collaborate with a selection of our favorite artists that represent a small, but strong, segment of Cascadian creatives. Refusing the political border and paying homage to the natural definition of the bioregion, we selected artists from Canada all the way to Oregon to represent the “Cascadian Collection.”
CW: What does the phrase “mountain art” mean to you?
Corey: “Mountain art” is just a term to describe the result of the artists who, inspired by the experience of being in the mountains, interpret their vision and response through the medium of their choice.
CW: What do you think is awesome about the exhibit?
Corey: I think it’s awesome to exhibit the idea of creativity and collaboration for a cause, to share our interpretations of the same passion—being in the mountains, living in Cascadia, and re-creating our spirit through recreating in our bodies and minds. (Not to mention donating proceeds to a crucial nonprofit organization that so many of us utilize in the winter months.)
CW: What else can people find at Innate?
Corey: Alongside printing equipment and boxes of shirts, you’ll also find a carefully selected sampling of blank garments ready for a freshly inked design of your choice. Complementing the cotton are a few select items of jewelry, hats and beanies, posters and magazines. You can also count on a high-five, a smile and a healthy dose of positive vibrations.
CW: What do you appreciate about being part of the Innate crew?
Corey: I appreciate getting to see an idea through; to envision it and build it, shape it, test it and refine it—all alongside friends and creative people of all ages.
CW: Why is Bellingham a good place to be to do what you do?
Corey: Bellingham is at the heart of Cascadia. It has fresh air, mountains, water—all the essential ingredients for a healthy and active lifestyle. Combine the local business-oriented downtown community with its geography and the constantly regenerating batch of receptive college students, and you have a great recipe to build a brand that stays true to its roots and launch to all corners of the globe.
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