Explore the creative minds behind Michael Jackson’s landmark album with an industry veteran who was there.

What can today’s artists learn from the people who helped shape one of the most influential albums in music history?

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, The Artist Workshop brings Steven B. Ray to Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) for The Blueprint of a Legend: Michael Jackson and the Creative Minds Who Shaped an Era. Moderated by artist and entrepreneur Shyan Selah, this conversation offers musicians, aspiring entertainment professionals, and Michael Jackson fans a chance to hear from someone with firsthand experience behind the scenes of Thriller.

For Steven, that experience was part of a much larger journey. His career spans artist development, A&R, music publishing, film music supervision, and theater. At Capitol Records and Windswept Pacific Publishing, he worked on the business side of discovering and developing talent. At Windswept, he helped build the urban and pop music department, signing writers and producers including Manuel Seal and Quincy Jones III.

That combination of creative experience and industry knowledge makes his perspective especially valuable to artists building their own careers.

A Connection That Makes Seattle Special

Quincy Jones was Steven’s close friend and mentor. Bringing this conversation to Seattle, where Quincy spent formative years developing his musical gifts, gives the workshop a meaningful connection to the city’s own creative history.

Quincy’s legacy reaches across genres and generations. His work with Michael Jackson remains a powerful example of what can happen when exceptional talent meets collaboration, preparation, and creative vision. Steven’s experience offers a personal connection to that legacy and an opportunity to consider what it means for the next generation.

For the Fans. For the Creators.

If you love Michael Jackson’s music, this is an opportunity to explore the people and creative environment behind Thriller. If you make music or want to work in entertainment, it’s a chance to connect that history to your own ambitions.

Presented jointly by The Shyan Selah Foundation and Brave New World Enterprises, The Artist Workshop connects participants with experienced professionals for practical learning, industry insight, and creative development.

Join us for an afternoon of conversation about music, mentorship, and the work behind a lasting legacy.

Event: The Blueprint of a Legend: Michael Jackson and the Creative Minds Who Shaped an Era
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: Noon–3 p.m.
Location: Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Seattle
Admission: $40 general admission · $20 for current Artist Workshop members · Free with valid student ID

Reserve your place for The Blueprint of a Legend.

The Artist Workshop is back and ready to inspire the next generation of creatives, athletes, and entrepreneurs. This season opens with Entertainment 101, a dynamic workshop designed to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to make it in today’s entertainment industry.

Taking place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM at The Collective in Seattle, this experience is a must for anyone looking to understand the full landscape of opportunities that exist across music, film and television, fashion, media, and technology.

Entertainment 101 goes beyond performance—it’s about education, strategy, and access. Attendees will explore the inner workings of the entertainment business, from creative development and branding to contracts, production, and career sustainability. With guidance from industry insiders and special guests, participants will gain a 360-degree view of how art meets enterprise.

Whether you’re a high school or college student, an aspiring artist, or an entrepreneur ready to bridge creativity with business, Entertainment 101 offers valuable insight and networking opportunities in a setting that celebrates culture, innovation, and collaboration.

Admission is $75 for general admission, $25 for college students, and high school students get free access. As always— The Artist Workshop members attend free. Food and beverages are included, making this an evening to learn, connect, and be inspired.

Seats are limited!! Don’t miss your chance to join a community that’s shaping the future of entertainment from the ground up.

Click here to register.

On Saturday, August 31, 2024, The Artist Workshop hosted a powerful and insightful virtual event centered around the critically acclaimed film Sweetwater, the inspiring true story of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton—the first African American to sign an NBA contract. This special edition of our Digital Artist Workshop brought together a dynamic panel of creatives for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and the broader conversation around art, sports, and cultural impact.

Moderated by The Artist Workshop and powered by The Shyan Selah Foundation, Black Eco Chamber, and Washington Filmworks, the event featured an outstanding panel lineup:

• Martin Guigui, Director & Screenwriter of Sweetwater, shared his years-long journey of bringing this historic story to the screen and the creative decisions behind its powerful narrative and aesthetic.
• Everett Osborne, the film’s lead actor, opened up about the physical, mental, and emotional preparation required to portray such an iconic figure with depth and dignity.
• Jeremy Piven, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor and producer, discussed his role in the film and the importance of projects that amplify untold stories from American history.
• Shyan Selah, international recording artist and creative entrepreneur, brought a unique perspective on how art and activism intersect, especially for artists of color navigating multiple industries.

Attendees from across the country tuned in to engage with these remarkable professionals, ask questions, and explore how storytelling in film can inspire change and shape culture. The dialogue explored themes of perseverance, legacy, and the artist’s role in pushing history forward.

This Artist Workshop was not only a celebration of Sweetwater as a film—it was a masterclass in collaboration, vision, and purpose. We are grateful to our panelists, partners, and participants for making this event such a success.

Stay connected for more Artist Workshop events and opportunities at right here at theartistworkshop.org.