Gallery B612, founded in 2020 by MiYoung Margolis, “aspires to be a gathering place for artists, dancers, fashion designers, and creatives from all walks of life.” The gallery is rooted in celebrating the intersection of diverse cultures, communities, and artistic traditions, especially in Seattle. Gallery B612 is expanding into a new second location in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square later this year. I spoke with MiYoung about the gallery’s origins, its evolving mission, the vision behind the expansion, and its dreams for the future. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Savita Krishnamoorthy: The name of the gallery, B612, is intriguing, with its literary references to The Little Prince and Asteroid B612. Can you share the personal significance behind this choice?
MiYoung Margolis: The name B612 comes directly from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, where Asteroid B612 is the prince’s small planet. To me, it symbolizes imagination, curiosity, and the idea that even the smallest of worlds can hold infinite beauty and meaning. This story has been a lifelong companion, a meditation on human connection, history, and the deeper meanings of love and friendship.
In 2016, inspired by this philosophy, I founded my first art company, Prince and Fox, LLC, and began to tell my own story through art. At the same time, I was operating a studio space in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, where I collaborated with fellow artists, exchanging ideas and experiences that not only helped me grow as an artist but also laid the foundation for my role as a community builder.
In 2020, I opened Gallery B612, [which] over the years, has provided a strong foundation much like the baobab in The Little Prince. The gallery’s name is not only a tribute to the prince’s small planet, but also a reflection of the countless encounters I have had since immigrating to the U.S. in 2005. What connects them all is the fundamental human desire to seek beauty, to explore meaning, and to approach life with a sense of philosophical artistry. Gallery B612 exists to honor and nurture those connections.
SK: What kind of creatives are you most inspired by? How do they align with the gallery’s vision?
MM: I believe that art [and culture] have no boundaries. Dance, sculpture, installation, visual art, immersive art, audiovisual media, fashion, even culinary arts, theater, and music—all these disciplines inspire and influence one another, creating something more beautiful when they converge. In a country as diverse as the United States, and especially in Seattle, where so many communities and cultures coexist, I believe these encounters spark richer and more innovative forms of art.
The vision of Gallery B612 rests on this very intersection: people from different backgrounds, languages, and traditions coming together through art to connect and to recognize and be recognized by one another. I founded the O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival in 2022. Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a cornerstone of Gallery B612, bringing together more than 100 artists across disciplines. What emerges is not merely a performance or exhibition, but a living testament to how creators from vastly different practices can gather, collaborate, and build a shared language through art.
SK: Beyond serving as an exhibition space, how does Gallery B612 function as a hub for community engagement and creative collaboration?
MM: I don’t call my staff “gallerists” because Gallery B612’s exhibitions are not simply about hanging works on white walls. They are curated with stories, narratives, and philosophical meaning at their core. This approach received particular attention at the Seattle Art Fair— first with Intertwined in 2024, and again in 2025 with The Sky, The Wind, The Stars, and Poetry, an exhibition inspired by the works of poet Yun Dong-ju.
We believe that collaborating with local artists [and arts organizations] can create opportunities and open doors to new art collectors. We connect exhibitions with artist-led workshops, allowing audiences to engage with both the works and the creative processes behind them. At our artist reception openings, we incorporate local business showcases, fashion shows, live music from local musicians, dance performances, installation art, and immersive art experiences where audiences don’t just view art but actively participate in it.
I draw on my personal experience and network in the Korean art market to introduce Korean artists to Seattle. Our partnerships with Special Arts Korea and the Vibrant Palette Arts Center are strong examples of this cross-cultural exchange.
SK: How do you envision Gallery B612 shaping or contributing to the cultural and artistic landscape of Seattle—particularly within the SODO neighborhood?
MM: When I first opened Gallery B612 in SODO in 2020, I felt it was important to root myself in a district known for its industrial grit and creative potential. The gallery sits right at the entrance of SODO on 1st Avenue, with large windows facing the main street, [where] thousands of people [pass] through the area on game and concert days at the nearby stadiums.
Within this context, Gallery B612 is a platform that provides artists opportunities that do not easily fit within traditional gallery molds – installations, live painting, and hybrid performances. It has grown into a stage for experimental and cross-cultural art, a bridge [connecting] local and international voices where art and community come together. As Gallery B612 expands into Pioneer Square, I see this as a chance to extend that dialogue even further into Seattle’s historic art hub.
SK: Looking ahead, what upcoming exhibitions, artist collaborations, or future projects are you most excited about?
MM: Later this year, our flagship O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival will take on a Wonderland theme, bringing together dancers, musicians, and fashion designers in a surreal, dreamlike journey. This year’s festival will also feature a group exhibition highlighting works by Korean artist Nam Yoo-so, alongside a double feature with established Seattle-based artist Stephanie Lorig. The festival will also include a special collaboration of live painting and dance, with the resulting artworks displayed in the lobby of the Broadway Performance Hall. In addition, the performance will be projected on screen, allowing audiences to experience the dialogue between movement and visual art in multiple dimensions.
Gallery B612 is expanding into a new second location in Pioneer Square, right next to ArtXChange. We plan a soft launch in October and November, with a grand opening in January 2026. Expanding into Seattle’s historic art district marks an important milestone, reflecting not only our growth but also our deeper commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration within the community.
The new space will also support internships with UW graduate students in museology and art history, Seattle U graduate students in arts leadership, artist residency programs, and expanded workshops that provide more opportunities for local artists. My hope is that Gallery B612 will continue contributing to the vitality of Seattle’s cultural landscape, not only by presenting bold and innovative work, but also by nurturing the next generation of artists.
