Coast Salish Artwork

The ubiquitous totem pole, the most visible example of Native artwork in Seattle, actually comes from Southeast Alaska and British Columbia.

Since the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897, Seattle has had close ties to the Northwest Coast, and many monumental works of art from Haida, Tsimshian and Tlingit carvers can be seen in Seattle. These poles were traditionally carved from cedar trees to serve as memorial posts displaying inherited crests, or as house posts providing support for large cedar long houses. Traditional totem poles are on display at the Burke Museum, Victor Steinbrueck Park, Pioneer Square, and other parks and viewpoints around the city. Contemporary artists throughout the Pacific Northwest have adopted this form, and examples of their work can be seen in museums and galleries.

Coast Salish artwork, the traditional style of the Puget Sound area, features more subtle designs on carved objects such as large welcoming figures and house posts, small objects such as spindle whorls, woven objects such as baskets and blankets, and contemporary works in glass, metal and other materials. This design tradition has been overshadowed for generations by styles from farther north, but it is slowly being revived by contemporary artists.

PUBLIC ART
Dozens of works by Native American artists are included in the public art collections owned by the City of Seattle and King County, including several recently commissioned pieces in the Coast Salish style. 4Culture, King County’s cultural agency, has created a guide to its public art collection which can be viewed on line (website) free printed copies are also available from the Citywide Concierge & Visitor Center and other locations.

Highlights include:

Green River Trail (website)

Richmond Beach Park (website)

West Seattle Pump Station (website)

The University of Washington's Allen Library is the site of a permanent installation inspired by Northwest Coast mythology called Raven Brings Light to this House of Stories (website)

Pioneer Square Totem.
Photo by Tim Thompson.