There is a building on the edge of Spokane’s Browne’s Addition neighborhood that looks, at first glance, like it might be storing something industrial. Maybe old freight equipment. Maybe forgotten machinery. But push open that door and you find yourself standing inside Trackside Studio & Gallery — a sprawling, light-filled artist collective that has quietly become one of the most creatively charged spaces in the entire Inland Northwest.
Trackside is exactly what its name suggests: a converted building that once existed in the working-class, railroad-adjacent world of early Spokane, now repurposed into something that would make any art lover’s pulse quicken. The raw bones of the place — exposed beams, generous square footage, natural light pouring in at unexpected angles — do most of the aesthetic heavy lifting. But it’s the resident artists who make it sing.
The collective is home to dozens of working artists across disciplines. On any given visit, you might find a ceramicist trimming bowls at a wheel near the window, a painter laying down undercoats on a canvas the size of a garage door, a jeweler bent over a torch at the workbench, or a textile artist weaving something that looks like it belongs in a gallery in Portland or Santa Fe. The difference here? You can actually watch it happen, talk to the maker, and walk out owning the finished piece without paying gallery markup.
What sets Trackside apart from a standard studio tour or a monthly pop-up is the permanence and the community. These are working studios first, retail space second. The artists here aren’t staging a show for your benefit — they’re genuinely in the middle of their craft when you arrive, and there is something deeply satisfying about that honesty. You get to witness the labor behind the beauty, and that changes how you see the work on the walls.
The gallery side of Trackside rotates exhibitions regularly, showcasing both resident artists and invited guests from across the Pacific Northwest. The curation is thoughtful without being precious, and the price points range from an affordable print or hand-thrown mug to significant original works for collectors who know what they’re looking at. First-time visitors often spend far longer here than they planned, which is entirely the point.
Browne’s Addition is one of Spokane’s oldest and most architecturally interesting neighborhoods, and Trackside fits right into that fabric — a place that honors the city’s working history while leaning hard into its creative future. Parking is easy, the staff and artists are genuinely welcoming to curious newcomers, and the whole experience feels nothing like a typical gallery visit.
If you make it to Spokane and skip Trackside, you’ve left money — and a piece of something real — on the table. Bring your curiosity, bring your wallet if you’re feeling inspired, and plan to stay longer than you think you will.
