4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
A few leaves turn, my inbox fills with fall festival pitches and cozy brunch menus, and suddenly I want to stay home with a glass of wine and cook. I love this nesting season, though I’m not ready to give up summer produce.
Earlier this year, I wrote about Seattle chefs Mac Tadie and Sten Langsjoen, who stepped away from restaurant kitchens to build Aster Pantry. Their free, ad-free recipe site helps home cooks make use of what’s in season here. The other day, I made their German potato salad(opens in new tab), which dresses the potatoes with bacon fat, two kinds of mustard and white wine vinegar, then finishes them with chives. It was a hit at our table.
I have figs from a friend’s yard waiting for me, so this gorgeous fig leaf ice cream(opens in new tab) with roasted figs is tempting, even though I’m not usually a dessert maker. The charred corn spoon salad(opens in new tab) is on my list, too. It calls for pickled cucumbers(opens in new tab), and AsterPantry has a recipe for those. There’s still time for corn and cucumbers before we give ourselves over to soup.
Last week I went to see Heidi Grace Acuña’s Buwaya Baby(opens in new tab) at ARTS at King Street Station. Through ceramic sculpture and video, Acuña explores her Filipino ancestry and the buwaya, the Tagalog word for crocodile. The ceramic crocodiles won me over. Their gold eyes and teeth gleam under the light, and you can see the care Acuña has put into their clay scales and claws. I love animals in art, but I wasn’t expecting crocodiles to be so delightful and endearing. Those sturdy bodies and alert eyes make them look as though they’ve been keeping watch since long before we arrived. They’re certainly powerful, but Acuña has also given them a playful quality.
Acuña says the show is one way she’s reclaiming her ancestors’ precolonial beliefs about the buwaya. In a conversation with Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture(opens in new tab), she describes it as “a feared and revered creature, also considered to be an ancestor and guardian of the spirit realm.” You can feel both her affection and respect in the animals. She also worked with artist Arabella Bautista on an installation of eight retro televisions showing crocodiles swimming.
You can carry a bit of Ballard history home in one of Town & Country Markets’ artist totes(opens in new tab). Jen Vickers used the old Ballard Market sign as the starting point for her tote design, and it was popular enough to sell out before the store restocked it. The collection also includes work by Shogo Ota for Bainbridge, Marisol Ortega for Lakemont and Poulsbo, Stevie Shao for Mill Creek, and Victor Meléndez for Shoreline.
The Ballard store turns 40 this weekend, so there’s plenty happening beyond the grocery run. Its party on Saturday, September 19(opens in new tab), runs from noon to 4 p.m. with cake, an ’80s DJ, a scavenger hunt and a pickled herring eating contest in honor of Ballard’s Scandinavian roots. A live poet will turn shoppers’ memories into poems, and proceeds from hot prime rib sandwiches will benefit the Ballard Senior Center.
I like finding a holiday gift here and there before December starts to loom. It’s easier to spot something that reminds me of a particular person when I’m not trying to finish the whole list at once. Yesler’s third Makers Market(opens in new tab) offers a chance to browse and meet the people who made what you’re buying. This fall edition will have spooky ceramics and original artwork, with Good Olfactory Candles and blaksands among the local vendors. There will be live music and coffee from Café Calaveras.
The market runs Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the courtyard at 862 Yesler Way.
Halloween season is upon us! My 11-year-old daughter wants to be a dead chicken, and though I’m not entirely sure what that entails, I know we’ll start with our closets and hit a few thrift stores. I try not to buy anything new if I can avoid it, especially for a costume worn one night. Local Goodwill stores(opens in new tab) are a good place to look, and Great Pumpkin Night(opens in new tab) in SeaTac has a free costume swap on October 16. If the chicken needs a finishing touch, Spirit Halloween’s seasonal shops(opens in new tab) are back in Roosevelt, Northgate and West Seattle.
meet the team
We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.
tessa franchini
principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com
Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.
amy golden
principal
amy@paxsonfay.com
Originally from Seattle, Amy left her home in the Pacific Northwest to attend Fordham University, fulfilling her dream of living in New York City. After graduating with a BS in business administration, specializing in marketing and minoring in economics, Amy began her career in advertising sales at CNN and the Hallmark Channel in New York and LA. However, Amy’s love of writing, design, and connection with people ultimately led her to PR. While finishing her MBA back home at Seattle University, in 2015, Amy cofounded Paxson Fay with her friend and business partner, Tessa, driven by a shared vision to build a PR agency that reflected their values and passions. At Paxson Fay, Amy thrives in media relations and pitch development, enjoying the process of diving deep into each client’s story to craft compelling narratives that resonate with editors and journalists. Amy has a particular passion for architecture-focused projects, and securing SHED’s feature in The New York Times was an especially rewarding moment, as they were her first client. Another major career milestone was helping build out Paxson Fay’s talented team, fostering an environment where young professionals can grow their skills and pursue their passions. Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family, chasing after her two little boys, exploring Seattle’s restaurant scene, traveling with friends, and reading.
colby wood
account manager
colby@paxsonfay.com
After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.
paige childs
senior account executive + digital lead
paige@paxsonfay.com
As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.
martina povolo
account executive
martina@paxsonfay.com
Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.
tara lyons
account executive
tara@paxsonfay.com
With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.
Jamie Paxton
Communications Assistant
jamie@paxsonfay.com
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jamie made her way to the Pacific Northwest to attend the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Psychology. Jamie first joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern during her senior year at the University of Washington and is excited to continue her journey with the team as a Communications Assistant. With a passion for writing and social media, Jamie is excited to bring her creativity and unique perspective to the role. Outside of work, you can find Jamie exploring local restaurants or picking up a good book.
We're looking for a communications intern with a passion for storytelling, social media, public relations, and design. Click here to learn more and apply.
what we do
We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.
marketing
marketing strategy
brand strategy
project management
partnerships acquisition and management
e-mail blasts
public relations
media strategy
content production
media communications and outreach
awards: strategy, content development and submissions
social
platform strategy and management
content production
targeted campaigns
results + reporting
advertising
advertising strategy
budget strategy + negotiation
calendar management
creative coordination
content
storytelling
copywriting
website and e-mail marketing
video: sourcing, storyboarding and scheduling
photography acquisition + curation
events
event management
sponsorships + partnerships
tradeshow coordination
press tours
clients
Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.