Seattle Arts & Lectures \ The SAL Gala: Words Bloom

The event will feature a lively reception and delicious multi-course dinner, an engaging program featuring a special guest author and youth poet, and a live and online silent auction of unique literary experiences and treasures.

5:30 | Reception & check-in
Blind Date with a Book
Libre Libations
Onsite Silent Auction
Complimentary Photo Studio

7:00 | Dinner & program
Welcome & Thanks
State of SAL with Rebecca Hoogs
Q&A with author Sonora Jha
Student Reading with Jerrell Guthrie & Putsata Reang
Live Auction of 10 Items
Raise the Paddle
Dessert Dash

REGISTRATION

Registration is now open!

We are offering tickets on a tiered level. We ask that you purchase a ticket at the level in alignment with your financial capacity. The fair market value of the goods and services provided at each ticket level is $100 per ticket, which covers venue and meal costs. All additional costs are a charitable contribution to help support more accessible events and are tax deductible by law. As we work to make our organization and fundraising practices more equitable, we are experimenting with new ways to reach our community and gather support for the programs you know and love. Thank you for your support!

SILENT AUCTION

Our 2025 SAL Gala Silent Auction is open for bidding from Monday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, March 21 at 11:59 p.m.

Bid on irresistible literary delights, whether you’re attending the gala in-person or supporting SAL from wherever you are.

BID IN THE ONLINE SILENT AUCTION.

SPONSOR THE 2025 SAL GALA

As a SAL Gala sponsor, your company will enjoy visibility with SAL’s 45,000 patrons—including 400+ business and philanthropic leaders at our fundraiser. Sponsorships provide the unique opportunity to connect with SAL’s community, in one of the top literary cities in the world, and to show your support of the literary arts and youth writing.

For more information about sponsorships, visit this link or contact Grants & Sponsorships Manager, Inez Maubane Jones, at imjones@lectures.org.

2025 WORDS BLOOM COMMITTEE

Debra D. Dahlen, Co-Chair
Susan Long-Walsh, Co-Chair

Event Details

Seattle Convention Center – Summit

900 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

This event will be held at the Seattle Convention Center’s Summit Building.

The Summit building is at 900 Pine Street, just over a block away from Arch. The main pedestrian entrance is on the corner of 9th Avenue and Pine Street, and the drop-off location is on 9th Avenue between Pine Street and Olive Way.

By Car

Click here for directions.

By Public Transit

Summit is about three blocks from the Westlake Light Rail Station. Take exit A1 and walk northeast up Pine Street, until you reach 9th Ave.

Parking

The Summit Garage is located at 1009 Olive Way and there is a flat $9 parking rate after 5:00 PM. The Arch Garage at 1400 8th Avenue is an alternative parking choice and a short walk from Summit.