Participate

Third Place Technologies, in partnership with PublicDisplay.ART, announces Electric SEA, an extended weekend arts and technology hackathon and pop-up showcase exhibition taking place March 26–28, 2026, in the heart of downtown Seattle at PublicDisplay.ART and the ArtLove Salon event space.

More about ElectricSEA

Electric SEA is an arts-oriented hackathon—part creative retreat, part pop-up lab, part public art salon—bringing together artists, technologists, designers, makers, and researchers and friends from across the Pacific Northwest. The event builds on more than a decade of Electric SKY gatherings in Skykomish, WA, while reimagining the format for an urban, civic context.

Participants are invited to bring interdisciplinary, art- and design-driven projects which can draw from a wide range of creative technologies and practices, including creative code, interactive installation, data visualization, light-based projection, sound art, light art, wearables, performance-based and kinetic works, physical computing, generative systems, vibe coding, mixed reality, Internet of Things, ethical AI tools, digital toolbuilding, and other emerging hybrid practices. Individuals of all backgrounds are welcome! In the spirit of hackathons, the emphasis is on experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, shared problem-solving, and learning by doing.

The hackathon culminates in a free, public showcase and celebratory reception that gives hackathon participants the opportunity to share their work and creative process with a larger audience, while offering the broader community visibility into this vibrant art and technology ecosystem.   

HACKATHON PARTICIPATION

Anyone may join the hackathon, and we encourage a diversity of backgrounds to participate as long as you are curious about interdisciplinary collaboration. Practitioners with existing or partial projects are invited to bring them to experiment, teach and gather collaborators, you may plan to join in on other attendee’s projects, or you may find a project that emerges from the shared interests of other attendees. Thanks to the support of 4Culture, ArtsFund, the ArtLove Salon / Conru Arts Foundation, Passable Art, and SrcMaterial and the generous contributions of time and expertise from organizers and volunteers, Electric SEA will be free to attend. However, space is limited so registration is required.

In the style of hackathons, you may bring a project to work on and recruit collaborators, or join a team creating a new project that emerges from your shared interests and skills.

Scenes from the ArtLove Salon and PublicDisplay.Art offices. There is a lot of space for projects small and large, including wall space, floor space, stages, breakout rooms, and various nooks and crannies.

Participating projects requiring advance preparation are eligible to use the tools and resources at the Passable Art fab lab, availability permitting (see tool list). 

Schedule

The bulk of the hackathon is on Friday and Saturday, with additional time on Thursday and Sunday for setup, workshops, and takedown. Note our schedule is tentative through February, be sure to return for more information.

  • Thursday, March 26 (noon to 8pm) :
    • Noon to 4pm: Lab setup
    • 4pm to 8pm: preliminary project installation, workshops
  • Friday, March 27th (10am to 2am):
    • All day and evening open lab hackathon, workshops, collaborative sprints
    • All-up organizing meetings at 10am-11am and at 6:30-7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 28th (10am to midnight):
    • All day open lab hackathon, workshops, and collaborative sprints
    • 5:30 to 6:30pm dinner for hackathon attendees
    • 6:30:pm to 7:30pm public showcase exhibition and reception under 21 preview
    • 7:30pm to midnight public showcase exhibition and reception, 21+
  • Sunday, March 29:
    • Noon to 1pm: Debrief
    • 1pm to 4pm: Project takedown

Registration

Thanks to the support of 4Culture, ArtsFund, the ArtLove Salon / Conru Arts Foundation, Passable Art, SrcMaterial, and generous contributions of time and expertise from organizers and volunteers, Electric SEA will be free to attend. However, space is limited so registration is required. 

This event is designed primarily for adults, but avid youth under 18 may join if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The reception on Saturday includes an under 21 preview 6:30pm to 7:30pm, but is 21+ after 7:30pm when the bar opens.

REGISTER NOW

CALLS FOR HACKATHON WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS AND PROJECT MICRO GRANTS

Anyone may join the Electric SEA hackathon simply by registering for the event. In addition, we have two calls for participation for potential workshop instructors and larger-scale projects that might require support to enable ambitious ideas. The deadline for proposals is Saturday, February 21st, see our calls for participation here.

VOLUNTEER

This is a largely volunteer-run event and we are always looking for more help for install, takedown, reception, project coordination, projects support, event production, and so forth. If you find the idea of getting involved behind the curtains appealing, please fill out our volunteer form.