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Fundraisers

Words Bloom

Seattle Convention Center – Summit

March 21, 2026

SAL Gala

Please join us for an evening of revelry and literary flourishing at Seattle Arts & Lectures’ annual fundraiser, The SAL Gala: Words Bloom. Together, we’ll raise $750,000 so we can continue cultivating transformative experiences through story and language with readers and writers of all generations!

**NOTE: The 2026 SAL Gala: Words Bloom is SOLD OUT!**

If you were invited by a Table Captain or SAL staff member, please email your contact directly for a link to RSVP for the event. You can also email development@lectures.org with your registration details (Name, Table Captain, Meal Choice, Dietary Restrictions, and Access Needs) and we will update your registration accordingly.

If you would like to register for our waitlist, you can do so here.

Funds raised from The SAL Gala support SAL’s Arts Education programs (Writers in the Schools, the Youth Poetry Fellowship, and Spotlight Author Visits), helps bring the most dynamic and inspiring writers of our time to local and virtual stages, and ensures accessible programming for all.

Register for the WaitlistLearn More

Event Description

The event will feature a lively reception and delicious multi-course dinner, an engaging program featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Feeding Ghosts & official SAL Doodler Tessa Hulls and Youth Poetry Fellowship cohort member Adisa Grant; and live and silent auctions of unique literary experiences.

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

7:00 | Dinner & program
Welcome & Thanks
State of SAL with Rebecca Hoogs
Keynote with Tessa Hulls, author of Feeding Ghosts
Youth Poetry Reading with Adisa Grant
Live Auction
Raise the Paddle
Dessert Dash

with Sasha Summer Cousineau, Auctioneer/Emcee

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REGISTRATION

Registration is now open and closes Monday, March 9, 2026.

We offer tickets at tiered prices as an effort to make our fundraising practices more equitable. All ticket prices receive the same benefits at our gala. We ask that you purchase a ticket at the level in alignment with your financial capacity. $125 covers your meal and admission, all additional ticket costs are a charitable contribution to help support more accessible programming and are tax deductible by law.

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SILENT AUCTION

Our 2026 SAL Gala Silent Auction will be open for bidding from Monday, March 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to Monday, March 23, 2026 at 9:00 p.m.

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

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SPONSOR THE 2026 SAL GALA

As a SAL Gala sponsor, your company will enjoy visibility with SAL’s 45,000 patrons—including 500+ 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, contact Development Director, Qurat Ul Ain, at qain@lectures.org.

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2026 WORDS BLOOM COMMITTEE

Dana Bettinger, Co-Chair
Brooke Williams, Co-Chair

Debra D. Dahlen | Grace Doyle | Sunny Hong
Susan Long-Walsh | Anne-Phyfe Palmer | Jane Park
Heather Pogue | Naria Santa Lucia | Chris Schluep
Padmaja Vrudhula | Megan Watts

Sponsors

Generous Support provided by Magnum Opus Sponsors

Opus Sponsors

Sestina Sponsors

Sonnet Sponsors

Haiku Sponsors