How do artistic communities shape institutions—and how do institutions, in turn, shape culture? Join the Seattle Art Museum for a timely panel discussion exploring the role of artists, curators, and cultural producers in shaping museums and creative ecosystems, grounded in the Pacific Northwest and inspired by Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest.
Drawing from the exhibition’s focus on modern Northwest artists and the creative communities that sustained them, this conversation examines how local artists navigate systems of access, gatekeeping, and accountability today. Panelists will reflect on who gets to curate culture, how artists of color challenge and redefine institutional structures, and what “community” means in an era of heightened public critique.
Moderated by curator and cultural producer John Wesley, the panel brings together artists, curators, and scholars whose work bridges local practice and national discourse, offering insight into how communities—not just institutions—shape artistic legacy in the Northwest.
Arrive early when doors open at 6 pm and snag your seat!
Meet the panelists
Natalia Arbelaez is a Colombian-American ceramic artist born and raised in Miami to immigrant parents. Her work engages pre-Columbian art histories and the legacies of women ceramicists of color, bridging cultural research with contemporary form. She earned her BFA from Florida International University and her MFA from The Ohio State University.
Arbelaez has exhibited internationally, including at the Museum of Arts and Design, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, and the Gardiner Museum. She has completed major residencies at Harvard University and the American Museum of Ceramic Art, and in 2024 joined the School of Art + Art History + Design as Assistant Professor in Ceramics following research in Jingdezhen, China.
Stevie Shao is an artist and muralist, born and raised in Seattle. Her work draws inspiration from life in the Pacific Northwest and her Chinese American background. Shao’s paintings depict real and folkloric imagery in scenes that evoke the mysticism of the natural world. Working in a variety of acrylic paints and swaths of color and pattern, she reinforces an environment constantly in motion and filled with symbolism.
Don't miss the final SAM Talk inspired by Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest on June 11, featuring panelists Cristina Martinez and Gabriel Bello Díaz.
If you're taking advantage of admission discounts, please call our Customer Service Center at 206.654.3210.