🎧 Power of Place Episode 57 - Maestro of Mayhem - Larry Reid

Power of Place - Stories of the Pacific Northwest

In the second of a two-part series, Larry Reid returns to explore the Pacific Northwest’s meteoric rise as a global cultural force. Reflecting on his leadership of the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) in the mid-1980s, Larry recounts how the region’s unique identity was forged in a crucible of creativity, rebellion, and unorthodox collaborations. His stories uncover the underground movements, bold choices, and iconic spaces he helped shape—elements that would ultimately define the Northwest’s cultural identity. In this episode, Larry Reid shares insights from his transformative tenure at CoCA, where he curated groundbreaking events that fused the raw energy of Seattle’s punk scene with conceptual and experimental art. By uniting these forces, Larry created a dynamic exchange of ideas, elevating Seattle’s cultural profile to the global stage. A watershed moment in this evolution came when Larry envisioned and orchestrated the legendary Big Black concert at the Georgetown Steam Plant. This seminal gathering brought together live music, performance art, film, poetry, and spoken word in a singular, electrifying experience. Larry takes us inside the industrial space at that moment, recounting how his bold curation captured the unfiltered spirit of the Northwest and cemented its status as a creative epicenter. Throughout his career, Larry has bridged the worlds of independent and institutional art. From his trailblazing work at CoCA to his curatorial role at the Experience Music Project (now Museum of Pop Culture), he has consistently championed innovation. Now serving as curator and events coordinator at Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery, Larry continues to nurture emerging artists while staying true to the rebellious spirit that defined his roots. “In the moment, you don't realize that the things you're involved with are going to have any kind of lasting impact. I never had the time to take a breath to even think about it because one thing led to the next and you just don't have time to sort of sit back and contemplate the impact you're having. You just move on to the next thing.” ~Larry Reid