Alaskan Native Artwork Commissioned for Cherry Hill Entrance Plaza to Enhance Neighborhood

SEATTLE, Wash. — Swedish Medical Center opened its newly expanded Cherry Hill Imaging Center in Seattle, Washington, with a dedication and open house on Feb. 11. Tlingit artist Israel Shotridge, whose Alaskan Native artwork was recently installed and will be on permanent display on the Cherry Hill Entrance Plaza, shared the cultural significance behind his design. Together with his wife, Sue Shotridge, they performed a traditional Native American ceremony. Tours of the imaging center followed.

With an increased demand for imaging services, the Medical Imaging Department at Swedish Cherry Hill called on architecture firm CallisonRTKL to provide design services for an expansion that included a second CT scanner and two MRI machines. The firm and the project owner agreed the external exhaust vents, an essential component of MRI machines, should be turned into an art installation that would benefit the local community. They received approval from the Swedish Art Committee to commission Tlinget artist and Vashon Island resident Israel Shotridge to design vent covers that celebrate salmon and symbolize the cycle of life.

“Art plays an important role in the healing process and Swedish includes art in its construction allocations,” said Linda Carrol, manager, medical imaging and transport. “At Cherry Hill, our art is mostly indoors. We believe this installation provides benefit to the local community by creating an enjoyable environment for patients, staff, neighbors and visitors in one of the open outdoor spaces on our campus.

Sabey Construction Co. served as general contractor on the project.

Photo courtesy of CallisonRTKL.