GEOFF CARTER / NWSOURCE

Seattle boasts dozens of art galleries — say it with me, ahhhhhht galler-ayyyys — but only one Roq la Rue. True, this Belltown concern looks like a gallery, shows art like a gallery and exhibits dozens of other gallery-like behaviors, but Roq la Rue's true function is to act as a bridge between worlds, to get highbrow ahhhht lovahs to look at lowbrow art they wouldn't have seen if it weren't presented in a manner that was comfortable and familiar.

The reason that Josh "Shag" Agle and Mark Ryden's artwork seems to be on everything from album covers to coffee mugs right now is because of galleries like Roq la Rue, and the reason Seattle has Roq la Rue is because of owner and director Kirsten Anderson. The longtime Seattle resident opened the gallery in May 1998 to counter the Seattle art scene's predilection toward "blown glass and dark moody landscapes." Over the following six years, Roq la Rue presented shows by comic book and graffiti artists, and celebrated styles from tattoo art to anime, and the public's reaction was strong and unwavering: They liked this stuff — a lot.

Even on Roq la Rue's sixth anniversary, Anderson's enthusiasm is high and her aim is true. She's happily lining up shows that other galleries won't touch, and her publishing company, Ignition, in association with San Francisco's Last Gasp, is preparing to publish "Pop Surrealism — The Rise of Underground Art," a coffee-table book featuring 23 underground artists. It is the "first comprehensive survey of the genre I deal in, which is most commonly called 'Lowbrow' or 'Pop Surrealism,'" says Anderson. "So that's fancy."

I really like the group shows I've done ... the "Gods and Monsters" show had an amazing, magical opening. The "I Heart Mom" tattoo art show was really great as well. I really liked "Grave Matters" even though it tanked in sales, because it was so fun to put on and was a bit of a departure for me in terms of some of the art — some of it was really macabre and serious.

I really liked the Charles Burns show, because he's a genius. I have to say I'm quite looking forward to the Billy Name show this June. My "perfect" show was probably the Marion Peck/Camille Rose Garcia show ... that level of quality and beauty is what I strive for.

I don't think the art scene has changed at all. I think our general art scene is really sub-par, despite the talent here; I feel it really gets ignored compared to the music scene. I do like that small galleries with a lot of enthusiasm for non-traditional art pop up in waves occasionally — but it's a hard road, having a gallery, and they unfortunately tend to fold.

Hmmm. Actually, all the "biggest" artists I've shown are the coolest, nicest people. If anyone shows me any attitude I tend to drop them right away. There was the one time an out-of-town artist spent the entire evening asking anyone in the general vicinity where all the coke and speed were. I was like, "What is this, 1982?"

There is a giant wave of galleries opening catering to this genre of art; it's astounding. It started probably in the late '70s with just a small handful of galleries — and those were in L.A. I consider Roq la Rue to be part of a second wave that consisted of about five galleries nationwide that helped blow the movement open more. Any gallery that opened post 1999 I consider to be the third wave. These galleries tend to capitalize on the artists the first and second wave galleries promoted rather than trying to break new artists, generally speaking.

It's becoming more and more of a money game. There are a few new galleries that sweat blood to stay open just because they love this art so much, and that's pretty cool.

Roq la Rue had more of these qualities in the beginning and I do aspire to them, and they have absolutely contributed to the gallery's success, (but) unfortunately these days my energy and patience levels seem more akin to that of a 75-year-old than a 6-year-old. Fortunately, the reason I still do this is that I do still find more art and artists that completely inspire me ... then I get hyped-up again.

I would absolutely be in wildlife conservation. The one thing I have infinite patience and interest in is the study, care and well-being of animals.

Or maybe I'd have a kitschy souvenir tiki stand on some beach in Hawaii. That sounds pretty good, too.

Seattle secrets, eh? You can buy a nice quality fake shrunken head at Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe. I'm not sure if they are on display ... sometimes you have to go to the counter and ask for the "good stuff."