SEATTLE — Salty Dog Studios has been in Ballard for nearly 50 years.
“Forty-nine years,” said one of the founders of the studio, Ernie Hilsenberg. “We were the only ones here. These other buildings weren’t here.”
Ernie Hilsenberg and Gregory Federighi are the founders of Salty Dog Studios, located at 4602 14th Ave. NW. The two met in college studying ceramics at the University of Washington and started Salty Dog Studios when they graduated in 1975.
They started with four artists and now have 20 people who create art in the building, who do everything from ceramics, to painting and printing.
The two western Washington natives have seen a lot in their friendship of more than half a century, including a lot of rain, but nothing like what they saw on Saturday morning.
“Flooding. A flash flood,” said Federighi.
“Big time,” added Hilsenberg.
Flooding surrounded their building, which is at the bottom of a hill near the Ballard Bridge. Even after three hours of pumping out water, the basement still had feet of water. They said when they started pumping out water, it was about three and half feet deep.
“If I go down one more step, it’s over my boot,” said Hilsenberg as he walked down to the flooded basement.
The basement is home to four artist studios and ceramics equipment.
“I see things floating, some artwork floating," said Hilsenberg as he peered into the basement. "I’m more concerned about a couple kilns down here that are partially underwater."
Their goal is to get the water all pumped out and to not find too much damage. Hilsenberg said he hopes that the basement dries out and that the artists can get back to work again soon.
Federighi and Hilsenberg said they will be working throughout the week to dry out the basement and will assess the damage of the place that is close to their hearts. A place that was here before the Ballard grew, and a place that they say will stay filled with artists when the floodwaters recede.
“We're going to be here until the end. Well, until some light rail comes up here or something," Hilsenberg said. "We're going to be here as long as possible."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with the flood damage. They also said people can support them by attending their Holiday Open House, held Dec. 1-3 at Salty Dog Studios.