Seattle Art Museum’s newest exhibit, Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer (February 28–May 12, 2019) is opening today (Wednesday Feb 27th) for members to have an exclusive look but opens to the public Thursday, February 28th. Mr. Gibson, an out queer artist, is in Seattle this week for the opening which is a “major survey of the acclaimed contemporary artist who draws on diverse influences such as abstraction, Indigenous art, queer aesthetics, and pop culture. The exhibition features over 65 works including abstract geometric paintings on rawhide and canvas, beaded punching bags, sculptures, wall hangings, and video.”
There’s also many, many events at SAM over the next few weeks that will utilize this important new show including programs for families, kids, and teens as well as events that will showcase Indigenous artists and their community but also very popular recurring events like the quarterly REMIX party and the return of “Legendary Children” done in partnership with the Seattle Public Library which celebrates QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) artists.
RELATED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Details are subject to change; additional programs or events may be added. Up-to-date information at visitsam.org/gibson.
Wed Feb 27
Like a Hammer Member Preview & Happy Hour
Noon–8 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free for SAM members
All SAM members are invited to preview the exhibition before it opens to the public. Exhibition overviews by artist Jeffrey Gibson at 12:30 pm and Catharina Manchanda, Jon and Mary Shirley Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, at 6 pm. Happy hour in the Brotman Forum 5–8 pm.
Thu Feb 28
Spring Educator Preview: Jeffrey Gibson
4–7 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with RSVP for K-12 educators and teaching artists
SAM invites educators, teaching artists, and arts education advocates to preview the special exhibition, get creative with hands-on art activities, and mingle with peers over wine and hors d’oeuvres. Visit SAM’s newly relocated Education Resource Center and explore free resources for your classroom.
Thu Feb 28
Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer Community Opening Celebration
5–9 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with RSVP
The whole community is invited to celebrate the exhibition with a free public opening featuring live performances, music, and art making.
Thu Feb 28
Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer & Next Steps
7-8 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with RSVP
Hear from artist Jeffrey Gibson about the exhibition Like a Hammer and the next steps he’s exploring in his art, including a screening of new video work.
Sat Mar 2
Family Fun Workshop: Tiny Tots
10 am–noon; 1–3 pm
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will take inspiration from the work in Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer and Lessons from the Institute of Empathy, then weave something to wear. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 3-6 and their caregivers.
Wed Mar 6–Sun May 12
Daily at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free
Join a docent-led tour to discover commonalities between yourself, your community, and the work of Jeffrey Gibson who believes that “we all share similar experiences.” Tours will emphasize looking closely and provide cultural context and artistic appreciation.
Thu Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2
6:30–8:30 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free
Visit SAM on First Thursdays during the run of Like a Hammer for a free drop-in art-making session inspired by the exhibition and led by a local artist.
Sat Mar 9
Spring Educator Workshop: Amplifying Student Voice
10:30 am–4:30pm
Seattle Art Museum
$40/$20 SAM members/$32 students & seniors (65 and over)
Join SAM educators and local experts in considering personal and cultural representation in the exhibition. This workshop includes art-making activities and curriculum connections to harness student voice through written and visual arts. Designed for K-12 classroom teachers and includes 6 clock hours.
Sat Mar 23
Art Beyond Sight Tour: Jeffrey Gibson
2–3:30 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with advance registration
Art Beyond Sight tours make works of visual art accessible to visitors with low or no vision. In this tour, visitors will explore Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer with verbal descriptions complemented with touchable materials and music for a multisensory experience.
Sat Mar 23
Family Fun Workshop: Young Artists
10 am–noon; 1–3 pm
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will craft a mixed-media artwork inspired by Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 6-10 and their caregivers.
Fri Mar 29
8–11:59 pm
Seattle Art Museum
$30/$15 SAM members/$25 students. Tickets sold in advance only.
Get in on this night of eclectic performances, tours, dancing, creating, and exploring SAM’s collection and special exhibitions. Become part of Seattle’s creative community of artists, performers, and thinkers through this unique museum experience inspired by Like a Hammer.
Thu Apr 4, 11, 18, 25
My Favorite Things Tours: Seattle Teens
6:30–7pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free
My Favorite Things Tours bring some of the most fascinating artists, cultural producers, and community figures into the galleries to discuss their favorite works of art. For Like a Hammer, tours will be led by members of Seattle Art Museum’s Teen Art Group (TAG) as well as youth from throughout the Seattle community. They’ll present their fresh take on the exhibition while exploring creative expressions of empowerment and identity through art and creativity.
Sat Apr 6
Family Fun Workshop: Tiny Tots
10 am–noon
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will experiment with painting on nontraditional materials after looking at the artwork in Like a Hammer and SAM’s permanent collection. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 3-6 and their caregivers.
Thu Apr 11
Grace L. Dillon: Indigenous Futurism
7–8 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with RSVP
Explore the creative genre of Indigenous Futurism across different media including literature, music, and art featuring “Native-centered worlds liberated by the imagination.” The talk will be led by Grace L. Dillon, a professor in the Indigenous Nations Studies Program at Portland State University in Oregon.
Sat Apr 13
Family Fun Workshop: Young Artists
10 am–noon
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will immerse themselves in the abstract world of Like a Hammer and then create an abstract painting. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 6-10 and their caregivers.
Fri Apr 26
Kitchen Sessions with Imani Sims and CD Forum
6–10 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free with RSVP
In celebration of Like a Hammer, SAM has partnered with poet and educator Imani Sims and The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas for an evening exploring themes of the exhibition.
Sat Apr 27
Family Fun Workshop: Tiny Tots
10 am–noon
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will discover a colorful world of shapes in Jeffrey Gibson’s abstract paintings in Like a Hammer, then create their own geometric work of art. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 3-6 and their caregivers.
Thu May 2
Lifting the Sky: An Indigenous Fashion Show
5–8:30 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free; exhibition admission half-off
Curator Lisa Fruichantie (Seminole/Mvskoke-Creek) brings together Native designers, artists, and performers from across the Pacific Northwest for a night of Indigenous fashion. Watch contemporary styles walk the runway to the beat of a powwow drum, learn about intertribal regalia created by local community members, and shop at an all-Native fashion market. Fashion shows are at 6 pm and 7 pm, and the Native Fashion Market takes place throughout the evening. Presented in partnership with yəhaw̓.
Fri May 3
7–10 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Free for all high-school aged teens
Planned for teens by teens! At this evening inspired by the special exhibition Like a Hammer, teens can listen to some of Seattle’s hottest DJs, take in teen art tours, live music performances, workshops, and art-making activities led by Seattle’s celebrated contemporary artists.
Fri May 10
8–11 pm
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle QTPOC artists present a night of the beautiful, the transgressive, and the unique through performances and conversations touching on themes brought up by Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer. Presented in partnership with Seattle Public Library.
Sat May 11
Family Fun Workshop: Young Artists
10 am–noon
Seattle Art Museum
$15 for one adult and up to two kids; SAM members $7.50. Additional participants $5 each (members included)
Participants will explore the words and lyrics in the artworks of Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer and then screen-print a message of their own. Each workshop begins with a sketching tour in the galleries and is led by a teaching artist. For children aged 6-10 and their caregivers.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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