Ted Washington - Deanne Sabeck

Ted Washington: Pruitt Igoe and Puna Press

Ted Washington is an artist. author, actor, poet and reluctant businessman. Specializing in pen and ink, his art has garnered local, national and international awards. He is the founder and CEO of Puna Press, a San Diego, CA based publisher of poetry and art that features several San Diego writers and artists. Washington also is a founding member of the performance art group Pruitt Igoe, who have performed in San Diego and Los Angeles area galleries and music venues. Pruitt Igoe was awarded a Synergy Foundation grant and performed in Harlem, New York City. Puna Press participated in the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con and Ted Washington won the BRAND 37 purchase award in 2008 with the Glendale Library acquiring one of his artworks for their permanent collection.

What is your vision of the future of the Visual arts for San Diego?

"San Diego is rich with talent in many of the creative fields however it is hard to get the audience to support artists with purchases. I don't know if it is a lack of belief or faith in local artists. The art world is and should be DIY (do it yourself). This is a punk mentality but it is the art mentality as well. Passion feeds solutions. San Diego needs a few artist co-op gallery/performance spaces to ensure exhibition and experimentation without the pressure of selling. Selling is good but San Diego is a tough market. Give me time, I'm on it."