Coast Salish art in waiting room

Coast Salish art transforms Providence waiting room

Waiting room, designed with tribes in mind, is unique place for all

By Sharon SalyerHospital waiting rooms are filled with nervous tension, somehow heightened with spaces often lit with the dull glare of fluorescent lights.

A collaboration celebrated Thursday between the Tulalip Tribes and Everett's hospital has transformed a long-established Colby Campus waiting room into a more welcoming place.

The Tulalip Community Room, filled with art donated by the Tulalip Tribes, is thought to be the first of its kind in the state, and perhaps in the Pacific Northwest.

What makes it unusual is providing a designated spot for family and friends of a hospitalized tribal member to gather, show their support, and pray. It also serves as a waiting room for the general community, a place to see tribal art and learn about the Tulalips' history and culture.

The room's walls are decorated with 10 pieces of Coast Salish art, almost all of which were created by Tulalip artists James Madison and Joe Gobin.Comment:  For more on Pacific Northwest art, see Coast Salish Statue in Tacoma Plaza and Quileute Exhibit at Seattle Art Museum.