Exhibits
See what’s on display now at our Level 8 Gallery at the Central Library. We use our gallery space to host touring exhibits or partner with communities to share work from local artists and explore local history and current events.
Collection Spotlight Exhibit
This exhibit highlights the diversity and depth of our collections, composed of over two million items, focusing on books, ephemera, art, and other items related to Seattle’s rich history.
As you move through the gallery, we invite you to explore the many voices, events, and ideas that have made Seattle and the Pacific Northwest what it is today. Many of the events featured have significant anniversaries this year.
This exhibit will run from January 23, 2026 to April 11, 2026, at our Level 8 Gallery at the Central Library.
Upcoming Exhibits
Living with Conviction: Sentenced to Debt for Life in Washington State Exhibit
This exhibit explores how Washington courts have been sentencing people not only to prison, but also to a lifetime of debt. The project uses multimedia storytelling and community conversations to raise awareness about, and advocate for, an end to crippling court-imposed costs, fees, fines, and restitution (commonly referred to as Legal Financial Obligations, or LFOs).
Living with Conviction goes beyond controversial headlines and statistics, exposing this injustice by sharing stories of our common humanity.
This exhibit will run from April 16 to July 26, 2026, at our Level 8 Gallery at the Central Library, with a satellite exhibit and programming at Green Lake Branch from April 26 to July 26, 2026.
Past Exhibits
See images and learn more about past exhibits at the Library.