A duo's aesthetics lead to Cairo, a Capitol Hill arts space

"Adios Amigos." The title of self-described "semipro photoshooter" Mike de Leon's two-day, farewell-to-Seattle print sale, at the Capitol Hill gallery No Space last week, is something many young local artists say after a certain time. Finding no space — literally or figuratively — between the high-end galleries of Pioneer Square and the rogue sites of groups like Free Sheep Foundation and Vital 5, they move on to Brooklyn, Los Angeles or Portland.

Where else can art be shown? Near Joe Bar, No Space and Crawl Space on the western edge of Capitol Hill, Joel Leshefka and Justine Ashbee's Cairo is one more answer to that question.

Situated at Summit and Mercer since July 2008, Cairo's small, white space comprises a gallery in front, boutique in the middle, and work areas in the rear. Currently on view (through April 26) is "Anything Can Happen, But It Probably Won't," new work by locals Jesse Brown and Aaron Harris. Brown's geometric gouaches on wood face Harris' absurdly humorous paintings, which the artist suggests you view while imagining whale sounds.

Foot traffic is light, but there's a block party atmosphere at Cairo's openings. Leshefka and Ashbee stress that they don't want to cultivate an "ubersnobby" environment. The crowd is lively as people drink, purchase vintage-inspired chandelier necklaces, listen to albums and sketch each other.

Cairo's owners moved in similar circles before collaborating first on a relationship, then a gallery. They met at a party for the design magazine "Tokion." Leshefka, a former scientist, owns the Ballard vintage store 20/20, where he began curating monthly photography shows in 2004. Ashbee studied textile design at Rhode Island School of Design and came west for Pilchuck.

The "polar opposites" (says he) and "pretty intense people" (says she) found their crossover in the shared aesthetic (geometry, abstraction) that became Cairo. In choosing the gallery's name, "We both liked the image — it's powerful, alluring and also mysterious."

Last September, Cairo, No Space and The Anne Bonney (a shop named after a pirate and hawking booty such as "art, home accoutrements and dead peoples' furniture") hosted a weekend-long festival called Expo86. Musicians, artists and modern dancers filled each space, sometimes to tiny crowds.

The Anne Bonney, operated by musician Spencer Moody, is soon relocating to No Space, and future collaborations are in the works. "We're looking forward to Spencer moving in next door. [He's on] our wavelength in terms of using the space in weird, creative ways," says Leshefka.