Illuminate Your Winter: Art and Light Shows Brighten Seattle

Seattle is glowing with art and light this winter, as local galleries and outdoor displays provide warmth and creativity during the dark season. Highlights include Maja Petric’s immersive light installation, atmospheric urban landscapes, and playful reinterpretations of light by various artists. Outdoor events like Woodland Park Zoo’s “WildLanterns” and a plethora of holiday markets offer further opportunities to celebrate the season, showcasing unique arts and crafts.

In the heart of Seattle, as the winter days grow short and shadows lengthen, a brilliant array of art and light illuminates the season. While Fairbanks faces an almost complete absence of sunlight, locals can rejoice in the 8.5 hours we have, and seek solace in the vibrant scenes unfolding across town. From mesmerizing galleries like The Vestibule showcasing Maja Petric’s enlightening works to an array of outdoor light displays, Seattle shines with artistic brilliance this winter.

I embarked on an adventure to The Vestibule in Ballard, captivated by Maja Petric’s latest exhibit, “Specimens of Time,” which runs through January 25. This exhibit features an enchanting centerpiece known as “Burn,” a clear cube that pulses with ever-shifting green and yellow light, offering an evocative glimpse into the mystique of alien consciousness. Visitors are ushered behind black curtains to behold this sculpture, which not only reflects the beauty of the Pacific Northwest but uses real-time weather data to warn us about climate change—its glowing colors reacting to rising temperatures.

Amidst the artistic glow of Pioneer Square, J. Rinehart Gallery is showcasing Kate Protage’s “Sightlines,” a series of urban landscapes that evoke the beauty of twilight. Here, the night sky and shimmering lights come alive, drawing viewers into a mesmerizing warm embrace. Nearby, Greg Kucera Gallery presents a playful group exhibition entitled “Light Switch,” featuring works by various Northwest artists who manipulate light in imaginative forms. With sculptures capturing the essence of LED bulbs and luminous neon art, the allure of light captivates all who enter.

Further enriching Seattle’s artistic landscape, Method Gallery displays Jai-Sallay Carrington’s “Reasoning with Demons,” where the golden glint in the eyes of wolves contrasts against an icy backdrop. At Solas Gallery, Mark Templeton’s Risograph prints celebrate inner illumination, distilling shades of light reminiscent of the past. The city is alive with outdoor spectacles, from the Woodland Park Zoo’s enchanting “WildLanterns” through to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens’ “Garden d’Lights;” an enchanting display of half a million lights.

There are also myriad holiday markets across the city this December, where local artisans showcase their crafts. The Black Artists Market, Holiday Pop-Up at Pilchuck Glass, and many others provide the perfect opportunity to gift unique, hand-crafted treasures this season. With festive spirit alive in every corner, Seattle’s art scene invites everyone to bask in the warmth of creativity and illumination during these chilly days.

Seattle is a city that thrives on artistic expression, especially during the darker winter months when sunlight is scarce. Artists take this as an opportunity to play with light, creating immersive experiences that contrast with the outside gloom. Both galleries and outdoor events transform the city into a dazzling showcase of art that not only pleases the eye but also engages with pressing ecological themes. From innovative exhibitions to community art markets, there are countless ways for Seattleites to celebrate creativity and the holidays.

As Seattle embraces winter’s shadows, the artistic community shines bright, showcasing a myriad of exhibits and light-filled outdoor events. Visitors can explore innovative light art like Petric’s “Burn,” delight in atmospheric landscapes, or wander through glimmering holiday displays. With local markets offering handmade gifts, there’s a profound connection between creativity and community, letting the spirit of the season radiate through art. Seattle’s unique landscapes, both natural and manmade, continue to inspire and uplift during the darkest days of the year.

Original Source: www.cascadepbs.org