Seattle's art scene in May 2026 features six diverse exhibitions. Highlights include 'Influences: Japanese Prints and Northwest Art' at the Cascadia Art Museum, exploring the impact of Japanese woodblock printing on regional artists; a site-specific installation by Carly Sheehan at the appointment-only Double Garage Gallery; Clare Johnson's exhibition of over 6,000 artworks on sticky notes at Gallery 4Culture; Emma Bergman's surreal multimedia installation 'The World to Come' at Specialist Gallery; and a landmark retrospective of light-art pioneer Tom Lloyd at the Frye Art Museum.
These shows underscore the vitality and range of Seattle's art ecosystem, from established museums to underground, experimental spaces. The exhibitions provide long-overdue recognition for significant artists like Tom Lloyd, highlight unique artistic practices like Johnson's sticky-note diaries, and demonstrate the city's engagement with both local history and contemporary, interactive art. The mix of free and ticketed venues across various neighborhoods makes art accessible to a broad public.