Seattle Convention Center Concludes Inaugural Year of the Summit Building with Art Celebration and New On-Site Dining Unveilings 

Event Showcased Nearly $8M of Public Art and New Dining Storefronts 

Seattle, WA – On Tuesday, November 28, the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) capped off nearly a year of the Summit building’s operations with a Celebration of Art event. The festivities – which highlighted the $7.75 million in public art located both within and outside the building, including some that is integrated as functional architectural elements – featured remarks from members of Seattle’s arts community and SCC officials as well as self-guided tours for attendees. A Native Artworks Blessing, attended by Native artists and representatives from local tribes, preceded the Celebration of Art. 

Continuing SCC’s longtime commitment to showcasing public art, Summit’s collection of artwork promotes the convention center’s connection to the diverse communities, neighborhoods, and artistic vitality of the Puget Sound area. The collection is united in its vision to interpret the character and essence of the region, from its natural beauty and innovative spirit to its shifting urban environments. Twenty-three artists created permanent commissions for Summit while nearly 40 additional artists are represented in a large array of studio works. A curated audio playlist, featured in an outdoor sound space, includes selections of spoken, musical, and other sound works, created by artists ranging from youth to professionals. 

While commissioning and curating the Summit building’s public art collection, an objective of the Center’s art advisory board was to create a suite of artworks by Puget Sound-based Indigenous artists at the building’s primary entries. One such artist is Andrea M. Wilbur-Sigo, a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, whose carved “Mowitch Man” and “Creator” welcome figures greet visitors at the building’s Pine Street and Olive Way entrances. 

Reflecting on the creation of the figures, Wilbur-Sigo says, “This opportunity was a dream come true. Being born right here in Seattle and being a part of several of the local tribes, I’ve always dreamed of the day that I would carve these welcome figures. I’m glad to be a part of an educational experience and perhaps inspire the next generation to dream big.” 

In featuring Pacific Northwest artists, SCC reaffirms its commitment to being a community connector for the Greater Puget Sound area. 

“The Seattle Convention Center is honored to house such a beautiful and thought-provoking art collection,” says Seattle Convention Center President & CEO Jeff Blosser. “While the artworks elevate the uniquely Northwest experience for event attendees, we were pleased to support our diverse artist community through the infusion of commissions, acquisitions and exposure to a broader audience.” 

In tandem with SCC’s unveiling of the Summit art program, the Center is also excited to debut three new dining options at Summit on Pine Street near Boren Avenue. The locally renowned businesses with new street-level concepts are Piroshky Piroshky, Monorail Espresso, and Pike Brewing Company. Monorail Espresso and Piroshky Piroshky – two women-owned enterprises that serve Seattle’s favorite beverage and Eastern European turnover sandwiches, respectively – are currently open. Pike Brewing Company is set to open by the end of 2023. The three eateries join the already-established Ethan Stowell-helmed Bombo at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Pine Street in Summit, which offers wood-fired pizzas and other Italian staples. In early 2024, Summit’s on-site bakery, Wild Rye, will debut its public retail operation at Boren Avenue and Olive Way, in addition to providing fresh-baked goods for both Arch and Summit events. 

Summit, SCC’s second downtown convention center building, was opened in January 2023. Together with the Arch building – located a block and a half away – SCC has developed a centralized meetings campus located in the heart of Seattle’s downtown. Year to date, SCC has hosted 53 citywide conventions between Arch and Summit generating an estimated $294M in economic impact for Seattle and the surrounding area. These citywide meetings and conventions are in addition to many local and regional events that occurred in Arch and Summit. 

View the Summit building’s art collection here.
Further information on Seattle Convention Center’s art program is available here.
Celebration of Art photos available here. 

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About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org. 

About Seattle Convention Center:
Seattle Convention Center, located in the heart of downtown and walking distance to world‐class hotels restaurants, entertainment and attractions, has been the Northwest’s premier meetings and events facility since 1988. Its longstanding mission is to elevate the event experience, create jobs and business activity to boost the local, regional, and state economy, and generate civic benefits for the people of the region. For more information, visit www.seattleconventioncenter.com.