Seattle's Indigenous Art Scene: From Museums to Totem Poles
Indigenous art from the Northwest Coast is prominently displayed in Seattle, with formline design being a significant focus. The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) houses galleries dedicated to Native American art, showcasing a spruce screen from around 1810 by Naakustaa (Tlingit) and houseposts from 1907 by Arthur Shaughnessy (Kwakwaka'wakw). Admission for adults costs $32.99. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center offers a complimentary collection, while the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center provides similar experiences. A Northwest Native Canoe Center is anticipated to open on Lake Union later this year. Noteworthy public art includes Andrea Wilbur-Sigo's Welcome Figure 'Mowitch Man' (2023) and the John T. Williams Memorial Totem Pole. Commercial galleries such as Stonington Gallery and Tidelands will also feature original artworks at the Populus Hotel, set to open in spring 2025.
Key facts
- Seattle Seahawks logo derived from a Northwest Coast formline mask.
- Seattle Art Museum's Native American art galleries include a circa 1810 spruce screen by Naakustaa (Tlingit) and 1907 houseposts by Arthur Shaughnessy (Kwakwaka'wakw).
- Wendy Red Star's 'Áakiiwilaxpaake (People of the Earth)' (2022) lightbox is at SAM's American art galleries.
- SAM adult admission is $32.99.
- Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is operated by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation.
- Northwest Native Canoe Center opening later this year on Lake Union, collaboration between United Indians of All Tribes Foundation and Seattle Parks.
- Andrea Wilbur-Sigo's 'Mowitch Man' (2023) Welcome Figure outside the convention center.
- John T. Williams Memorial Totem Pole at Seattle Center; Williams was killed by Seattle Police in 2010.
- Pioneer Square totem pole is a replica of one stolen from Alaska; Tlingit craftsmen carved a replacement in 1938.
- Stonington Gallery represents Robert Davidson, Beau Dick, Norman Tait, Preston Singletary, Dan Friday, Raven Skyriver.
- Tidelands gallery co-owned by Matika Wilburn.
- Populus Hotel opened spring 2025 as a carbon-positive hotel with original artworks for sale.
- Seattle Aquarium displays contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous art.
Entities
Artists
- Naakustaa
- Arthur Shaughnessy
- Wendy Red Star
- Andrea Wilbur-Sigo
- John T. Williams
- Robert Davidson
- Beau Dick
- Norman Tait
- Preston Singletary
- Dan Friday
- Raven Skyriver
- Matika Wilburn
Institutions
- Seattle Art Museum
- Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
- United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
- Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
- Northwest Native Canoe Center
- Seattle Parks
- Stonington Gallery
- Tidelands
- Steinbrueck Native Gallery
- Populus Hotel
- Seattle Aquarium
- Museum of History and Industry
- Forbes
Locations
- Seattle
- Seattle Art Museum
- Discovery Park
- Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
- Shilshole Bay
- Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
- Lake Union
- Seattle Center
- Space Needle
- Pioneer Square
- Alaska
- Pike Place Market
- Elliott Bay
- SEA-TAC
- United States