Welcome to Seattle Center
Traditions: Connecting Threads of Shared Humanity
June 11 - August 15 (open Wednesdays through Sundays, 1pm-6pm; and Monday, June 15)
The arts and sports each demand skill and dedication, embody physical and emotional self-expression, and celebrate the potential of human creativity and imagination. They also allow us to communicate with others from around the world in unique and meaningful ways.
An original commissioned sand painting and wood sculpture, A Pesar de Todo (Despite Everything), by internationally recognized artist, Fulgencio Lazo, captures this sentiment through his design with more than a dozen figures holding hands, forming a large circle around a central soccer ball.
Traditions: Connecting Threads of Shared Humanity, is a visual art and heritage exhibit hosted by the Festál cultural festival coalition that seeks to reveal what we have in common, while celebrating the uniqueness, diversity, and broad global roots of Pacific Northwest residents. Art of many mediums and a variety of heritage pieces.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Featured Artist: Fulgencio Lazo
Fulgencio Lazo is an internationally recognized artist whose vibrant abstract paintings and sculptures are an exploration of cultural identity and the power of community. Lazo works between his studios in Seattle, WA, and his hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico. His creative practice explores and preserves the cultural traditions that sustain his identity as a member of Mexico’s indigenous Zapotec people, with a particular focus on its traditional music and communal practices.
Featured Artist: Ritsuko Kashiba
On loan for this exhibit, “Legacy,” by Mrs. Ritsuko Kashiba, is a work that featured in the 2025 Japan Expo in Osaka. Ritsuko Kashiba is a renowned Seattle-based Japanese calligraphy instructor, artist, and cultural leader who has been practicing the art of shodo for over 45 years. She currently serves as director of the Sankei International Calligraphy Society, vice president of the American Calligraphy Society, (Beikoku Shodo KenkyuKai), and head of its Seattle branch since 2010 where she helps carry the tradition and inspires interest throughout the US and Japan. Ritsuko also actively supports the activities of the Japanese American community in Seattle by participating in the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival & Japanese Cultural Festival every year since 1978.]
ABOUT Japanese calligraphy, known as shodō (書道), literaly means "way of writing" and stands as one of Japan's most cherished traditional arts. It involves the artful use of ink and brush to create characters, combining kanji and kana symbols. Shodō's origins trace back to Chinese calligraphy, introduced to Japan in the 6th century, with adaptations made to accommodate the unique Japanese language. This art form serves multiple purposes, including artistic expression, communication, and Zen practice, promoting harmony and wisdom. It's a widely taught subject in educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities, showcasing its enduring cultural significance.
