Several times each year we transform our level 8 gallery space at the Central Library to display touring exhibits, pieces from our Special Collections or works from artists addressing a theme, like homelessness or environmental justice. We also use other areas of the Central Library for special, temporary exhibits and highlight local artists in many of our branches.
This exhibit showcases art from The Seattle Public Library Northwest Arts Collection. Collected over 100 years, the collection is a testament to the rich tradition of art-making from Northwest Indian arts to contemporary artists in the region. This exhibit ran from February 6 to March 12, 2020 and reopened on Mar. 30 2022 and is now open on Wednesdays through Summer 2022.
Frame by Frame
Witness the future of the Duwamish River to learn how our actions today impact our region’s ecosystem in this immersive, interactive virtual reality experience. Please note that this exhibit is only available outside the library. Please note that this exhibit is only available outside the library.
Our Future Duwamish
The Native community is resilient—made up of survivors. One of the best survival strategies has been art-making. Communities use art as survival, sharing traditional knowledge, preserving culture, celebrating our people, enriching daily life, and uplifting the human spirit. Whether from the city or reservation, Native art continues to thrive and broadcast the message "We're Still Here." The exhibit ran from November 7 to December 15, 2019.
We’re Still Here
The exhibit The Space Needle: A 21st Century View highlighted the history, impact and symbolism of an iconic structure that shaped the identity of Seattle during the 1962 World’s Fair and beyond. This exhibit highlighted the history of the Space Needle through images, artifacts, memorabilia and interactive displays. The exhibit ran from October 7 to October 27, 2019.
The Space Needle: A 21st Century View
The Evolution of the Duwamish River was an exhibit exploring the history of the Duwamish River. Through Virtual Reality and Special Collections items, the user experienced the river’s past, its use by the community surrounding it, and its evolution. As Seattle grew, the city prioritized the river as a vehicle for industrial and commercial use at the expense of ecological impact. The exhibit ran from September 9 to September 28, 2019.
The Evolution of the Duwamish River in Virtual Reality
Showcasing highlights from the ZAPP zine collection, 'From the Archives of ZAPP' explored zines as tools of personal expression, engagement and representation for voices often excluded from mainstream media. The exhibit ran from July 15 to August 31, 2019.
From the Archives of ZAPP
We presented a virtual reality (VR) experience of what it might have been like to fight the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 as a volunteer firefighter. The exhibit was on view at Central Library from February 11 to March 1, 2019.
Experience the Great Seattle Fire in Virtual Reality
In the fall of 2018, we partnered with yəhaw̓ (pronunciation: yahowt), an Indigenous-led arts project, to celebrate Indigenous creativity and environmental equity. The exhibit was on view at Central Library from October 4 to December 9, 2018.
Yehaw
Sketches from Outside the Margins: Stories from the Seattle/King County Clinic is an exhibit of comics that tell the stories of patients at the Seattle/King County Clinic. The exhibit was on view at Central Library from August 20 to September 24, 2018.
Sketches from Outside the Margins
Protecting the x̌ʷəlč: Indigenous Stewardship of the Salish Sea exhibit illuminates how water is intertwined in every aspect of living.
The exhibit was on view at Central Library from June 15 to August 30, 2018.
Graphic Medicine: Ill-Conceived & Well-Drawn! is a traveling banner exhibit that explores how the increasingly popular field of graphic medicine uses comics to tell personal stories of illness and health.
The exhibit was on view at Central Library from May 21 to June 30, 2018.
Beyond the Frame is a community-wide initiative revisiting the photographs of Edward S. Curtis and sparking conversations on Native identity, race and resilience, art and culture.
The exhibit was on view at Central Library from January 16 to April 30, 2018.