We're easy to find
Scroll down page for directions by bike, bus, ferry or private boat, or just to see our maps.
RECOMMENDED: Our customized Google Map for those who are driving.
WARNING: Mapquest will almost certainly get you lost!
Since we're avid supporters of the arts, visual and otherwise, we opened our classroom in a neighborhood that is attracting a growing number of Seattle's artists—Ballard. (see also Wikipedia's entry).
Nearby are both high-end and laid-back restaurants, vibrant pubs and taverns, all mixed in with the historic area's vital light manufacturing and fishing industries. Oh yes, and the growing list of galleries means there's always art nearby to inspire. So if the traffic that awaits closer to home is not appealing, why not stay in the neighborhood and relax for a while?
How are you getting to us?
By Bus
From Downtown, take the number 15 northbound on First Ave. Even the 8:55am from First & University will get you to a 9:30 class on time, but barely. We recommend the 8:35.
Get off the bus at 15th Ave NW and NW Market Street (right in front of the Safeway). We're two short blocks south, and one block east at 1406 NW 53rd Street.
By Bicycle
You may wish to download and view this PDF file of the Seattle North Side Bicycle Guide Map. It's nice with its elevation shading. We're located in the grid area 5-D (near the west edge of that area)
There are tricky spots in the area to note:
the Ballard Bridge [ PDF Map | JPEG Map ], because, heck, it's a bridge with small sidewalks and no bicycling on the road surface. We're just a few blocks north of this map's area.
You may find other maps at Seattle DOT's Bike Program page.
from Seattle Ferry Terminal at Pier 52
directions from Ferry by Car
- Take Left (North) onto Alaskan Way just as you leave terminal
- Stay in Left Lane as the arterial turns abruptly right and becomes Broad Street
- Immediately after that turn, and driving over the railroad tracks, turn Left onto Elliot Ave
- Keep going as Elliot Ave becomes 15th Ave
- Cross the Ballard Bridge, move into right lane
- A couple blocks on, turn Right onto NW 53rd St.
see map with directions from Downtown
directions from Ferry by Bus
Walk from the Ferry Terminal, across the bridge to 1st Avenue. Across first you will find a bus stop for the number 15. Take the number 15 northbound on First Ave. Even the 8:55am from First & University will get you to a 9:30 class on time, but barely. We recommend the 8:35.
Get off the bus at 15th Ave NW and NW Market Street (right in front of the Safeway). We're two short blocks south, and one block east.
We are at 1406 NW 53rd (toward the end of the block on the left). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets.
From the Sea
directions from Puget Sound:
- You'll have to pass through the Hiram M. Chittenden (aka "Ballard") Locks.
- To Starboard (South), you'll see Fishermen's Terminal as you enter Salmon Bay and the Ballard Bridge looms before you.
- For moorage information contact the Port of Seattle/Fishermen's Terminal
- Walk towards the Ballard Bridge. Use the pedestrian underpass to get to the walkway along its east side
- Cross the Ballard Bridge northbound.
- A few blocks North, turn Right onto NW 53rd St.
We are at 1406 NW 53rd (toward the end of the block on the left).
Driving from Downtown Seattle
directions from downtown Seattle:
- Take 1st Ave or 4th Ave or 6th Ave Northbound to Denny Way
- Turn Left (West) onto Denny Way
- Follow the arterial through a soft right onto Western Ave
- Keep going as Western Ave becomes Elliot Ave becomes 15th Ave
- Cross the Ballard Bridge, move into right lane
- A couple blocks on, turn Right onto NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th. There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets. There is also parking at the Hollywood Video at the corner of 15th Ave NW and 54th Street (see your parking map)
directions from SODO and Pioneer Square:
- Take Highway 99 (Aurora) Northbound from the 1st Ave S onramp near Seahawks Stadium
- Get off at Western Ave exit and keep going!
- Proceed to #4 above
Driving from the North
directions from I-5:
- Take the exit for NE 50th Street (exit 169)
- Head West (right) on NE 50th
- Get in LEFT LANE--Follow the flow!
- At 5-way intersection, make a Soft LEFT (Southwest) going briefly along Green Lake Way N then...
- Get in RIGHT LANE when it appears.
- Follow arterial through a Soft Right (West again) onto N 46th St.
- This flows into N Market St, which curves gently to the right and downhill, then to the left onto level ground (almost there!)
- Take a Left onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (a McDonalds is on the corner to your left)
- 2 blocks down is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets.
directions from Highway 99 (Aurora):
- Take the exit for N 46th Street. It comes up suddenly shortly after the Zoo!
- Turn Right (West)
- This becomes and flows into NW Market St, which curves gently to the right and downhill, then to the left onto level ground (almost there!)
- Take a Left onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (a McDonalds is on the corner to your left)
- 2 blocks down is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets. There is also parking at the Hollywood Video at the corner of 15th Ave NW and 54th Street (see your parking map)
If you miss the Aurora exit at 46th:
- Take the exit at N 39th Street.
- Go Straight (West) through the stoplight at Fremont Ave. N
- Turn Right onto Leary Way NW (heading Northwest)
- This bends leftward/westward. Shortly after this bend, Turn Right onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (an Office Max is on the corner to your left)
- A couple blocks north is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets.
Driving from the South
directions from I-5:
- Take the exit for NE 50th Street (exit 169)
- Head West (left) on NE 50th
- Get in LEFT LANE--Follow the flow!
- At 5-way intersection, make a Soft LEFT (Southwest) going briefly along Green Lake Way N then...
- Get in RIGHT LANE when it appears.
- Follow arterial through a Soft Right (West again) onto N 46th St.
- This flows into N Market St, which curves gently to the right and downhill, then to the left onto level ground (almost there!)
- Take a Left onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (a McDonalds is on the corner to your left)
- 2 blocks down is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets.
directions from Highway 99 (Aurora):
- Take the exit for "Green Lake / Zoo".
- Turn Left (West onto N 46th Street)
- This becomes and flows into NW Market St, which curves gently to the right and downhill, then to the left onto level ground (almost there!)
- Take a Left onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (a McDonalds is on the corner to your left)
- 2 blocks down is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets. There is also parking at the Hollywood Video at the corner of 15th Ave NW and 54th Street (see your parking map)
See From Downtown if you're coming from SODO
Driving from the East
directions from I-90 or SR 520 to I-5:
- First, check the traffic reports and perhaps predicted travel times
- Pick the better bridge, enjoy the wind over the lake, the light on the water, the driving habits of distracted motorists....
- Take I-5 Northbound
- Take the exit for NE 50th Street (exit 169)
- Head West (left) on NE 50th
- Get in LEFT LANE--Follow the flow!
- At 5-way intersection, make a Soft LEFT (Southwest) going briefly along Green Lake Way N then...
- Get in RIGHT LANE when it appears.
- Follow arterial through a Soft Right (West again) onto N 46th St.
- This flows into N Market St, which curves gently to the right and downhill, then to the left onto level ground (almost there!)
- Take a Left onto 14th Ave NW. This corner has a stoplight (a McDonalds is on the corner to your left)
- 2 blocks down is NW 53rd St. We are at 1406 NW 53rd (just two doors West of 14th, a right). There is free, all day parking along 14th, and much of 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Streets.