2000: Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) first opened in 1933 in Seattle's Volunteer Park. To house a collection that had grown to over 16,000 objects, SAM moved in 1991 to a new downtown Seattle location designed by Robert Venturi. Itself a neo-urban and accessible work of art, SAM's fluted limestone exterior and large windows embrace a monumental staircase entrance, accented with granite, marble and terra cotta. Outside, hillside terraced walkways echo the interior design and showcase inspirational public installations.
Noted for its extensive collection of Asian art, SAM also houses the world's finest collection of Native American art and artifacts. The museum is also home to African, pre-Columbian and Oceanic art, European masters and photography, and hosts major traveling exhibitions and educational events and performances.
Hammering Man, a distinctive feature of downtown Seattle, stands at the entrance to the museum. The 48-foot tall steel sculpture's arm "hammers" silently and smoothly four times each minute.
-Dashiel Wham, Writer (2000)
