SAM Talks | Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest

How do artistic communities shape institutions—and how do institutions, in turn, shape culture? Grounded in the Pacific Northwest and inspired by Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest, this timely panel discussion explores the role of artists, curators, and cultural producers in shaping museums and creative ecosystems.
Drawing on the exhibition’s focus on modern Northwest artists and the creative communities that sustained them, this conversation examines how local artists navigate systems of access, gatekeeping, and accountability today. Panelists will reflect on who gets to curate culture, how artists of color challenge and redefine institutional structures, and what “community” means in an era of heightened public critique.
Moderated by curator and cultural producer John Wesley, the panel brings together artists, curators, and scholars whose work bridges local practice and national discourse, offering insight into how communities—not just institutions—shape artistic legacy in the Northwest.
Arrive early at 6 pm to snag your seat!
Meet the panelists
Cristina Martinez is a Seattle-based artist from Tacoma, whose work honors the strength and resilience of the Mexican women who raised her. Drawing inspiration from her mother, grandmother, and aunts, her paintings—ranging from portraits to abstract pieces—focus on Black and Brown women, celebrating visibility and empowerment. Her viral Water Me series transformed personal heartbreak into universal resonance, and her work spans sold-out exhibitions, a 52-foot mural at 3 World Trade Center, album covers, and collaborations with Nordstrom, Disney, and Spotify. Across intimate works and monumental projects, Cristina creates art that reveals beauty in unexpected places, rooted in resilience and personal narrative.
Gabriel‑Bello Díaz, also known as GABO, is a Puerto Rican multidisciplinary artist, designer, educator, and community organizer based in Seattle whose work bridges architecture, digital fabrication, and fine art to explore ancestry, identity, and futurism. With degrees in architectural engineering, sustainability, and robotics, Díaz uses digital fabrication, leatherwork, painting, beading, clay, and immersive technologies to craft pieces that honor cultural narratives, from his Efficio design studio to his Mi Gente series. He has curated fashion shows, founded the AntiSocial editorial, and organized exhibitions and mentorship programs supporting emerging artists, while also teaching and leading arts‑focused community programs. His work has been shown at venues including the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Waterfront, and he continues to blend tradition with innovation to uplift cultural memory and care through art.