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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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265 results for: Visual Arts

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Image of Al Smith taking a self-portrait, Seattle, circa 1953
Photograph

Al Smith taking a self-portrait, Seattle, circa 1953

Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008), was an avid photographer and prolific chronicler of life in Seattle's Central Area during the mid- to late-20th century, amassing tens of thousands negatives. From a hobby begun as a preteen, Mr. Smith began his "weekend job" and photography business, On the Spot, in the 1940s, capturing life in the city’s Black community, the…
ID Number:2014.49.006.017.0114
Date:Circa 1953
Image of Three photographers with cameras outdoors, circa 1950
Photograph

Three photographers with cameras outdoors, circa 1950

Seattle photographer Al Smith began taking photographs as a hobby as a teenager and continued documenting his experiences, both abroad and at home, throughout his life. Best known for his photos of Seattle's Jackson Street area jazz clubs and musicians, Smith also photographed family, friends, and local people in their everyday livesThis image shows three photographers set up to take…
ID Number:2014.49.009.038.0149
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Seafair clown releasing balloons near Space Needle construction site, July 30, 1961
Photograph

Seafair clown releasing balloons near Space Needle construction site, July 30, 1961

On July 30, 1961, as part of the annual Seafair celebration, amateur and professional photographers were invited to take photographs of the Seattle World's Fair (Century 21) construction site. Twenty thousand camera enthusiasts took advantage of the invitation, hoping to win a $1,000 prize. That afternoon, Seafair clowns released 2100 balloons at the Space Needle site to create a photo…
ID Number:2014.49.009.095.0377
Date:1961
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Three unidentified men and a woman assemble the City Light tile mosaic mural, which features the sun and the words, "That Man May Use it Freely." The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.025.0054
Date:1958
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Two unidentified men and a woman assemble the City Light tile mosaic mural, which features the sun and the words, "That Man May Use it Freely." The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.026.0055
Date:1958
Image of Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958
Photograph

Artists creating mosaic mural, Seattle, 1958

Here, two unidentified men prepare a segment of the City Light mosaic mural. The mural, which went on extended loan to MOHAI when the downtown City Light building was sold, went back to City Light when MOHAI moved to its present location.
ID Number:2014.49.010.026.0056
Date:1958
Image of Three women looking at photographs on exhibit, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Three women looking at photographs on exhibit, Seattle, circa 1950

The Seattle Photographic Society was founded in 1933 to promote the advancement of the art and science of photography, with membership made up of photographers at all levels of experience from amateur to professional. Still active as of 2025, the club provides support to its members through critique, discussions, lectures, and demonstrations, and holds monthly competitions of members' work.Here, three…
ID Number:2014.49.29.01.11
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Al Smith
Photograph

Al Smith "On the Spot" stamp, circa 1943

Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008), was a photographer and prolific chronicler of life in Seattle's Central Area during the mid- to late-20th century. From a hobby begun as a preteen, Mr. Smith began his "weekend job" and photography business, On the Spot, in the 1940s, capturing life in the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local…
ID Number:2014.49.071.054.01verso
Date:Circa 1943
Image of Kohga Photographic Society at the Maneki Café, Seattle, circa 1949
Photograph

Kohga Photographic Society at the Maneki Café, Seattle, circa 1949

Seattle photographer Al Smith began taking photographs as a hobby as a teenager and continued documenting his experiences, both abroad and at home, throughout his life. Best known for his photos of Seattle's Jackson Street area jazz clubs and musicians, Smith also photographed family, friends, and local people in their everyday lives.After World War II, Al Smith was invited to…
ID Number:2014.49.Box31Folder001004
Date:1949
Image of Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival poster, October 24-30, 1997
Poster

Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival poster, October 24-30, 1997

Begun in 1996, Seattle's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (now Seattle Queer Film Festival) has become the largest LGBTQ film festival in the Pacific Northwest. It is produced by Three Dollar Bill Cinema, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide films by, for, and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The 2018 festival attracted over 10,000 viewers to…
ID Number:2014.89.1
Date:1997
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle WA, 98109
Phone: 206 324 1126
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