Interactive art will be part of Climate Pledge Arena

SEATTLE — Climate Pledge Arena is scheduled to open this fall and fans will be able to watch the Seattle Kraken, the Seattle Storm and concerts.

In March, KIRO 7′s Michelle Millman introduced us to some of those who hope this arena will also bring the community together through art.

Artist Laura Haddad showed Millman eight art installations, including her own titled “Axis Lounge,” will be placed on all sides of Climate Pledge Arena.

Three years in and as the lead of this “Art at the Arena” project, Haddad’s overjoyed to see it coming together.

“So it’s really happening here and very exciting,” Haddad said.

Haddad and other local artists will each tell a unique story of our region by creating a sense of community.

Mari Horita is with the Seattle Kraken and helped choose the diverse artists commissioned. Climate Pledge Arena will not only be home to the NHL come fall, but the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and countless concerts.

“We did emphasize engaging the community and that people can touch and sit in or sit on. We want it to be as interactive as possible, given the particular piece,” Horita said.

For those who chose the commissioned artists, diversity was top of mind — not only in race, but in generation, gender and the type of artwork they create.

Perhaps no one knows the importance of bringing community together better than Robert Nellams director of Seattle Center.

Nellams said the project at Climate Pledge will no doubt revitalize the energy there. “That was a little bit in question. Climate Pledge has changed that: for the next 55 years it will be here. We will be here and that makes me very happy,” Nellams said.

Cox Media Group