SAM Body + Mind 2026
Dianna Lopez performance 1/17/26 Photo: Chloe Collyer
SAM Body + Mind is brainchild of Director of Public Engagement, Heaven Quiban. Started 4 years ago when Heaven was in my role as the Manager of Public Engagement for the park, the program focuses on bringing health and wellness activities to a time in Seattle (winter) when most people are shut in at home. The series is comprised of 6 programs that alternate between two elements: evening sound performances and morning activity days.
Activity Days:
The activity days feel like slowly sipping a warm coffee in the morning. They are set up to be an explore at your own pace, with plenty of bean bags to sit on and relax while listening to local artists play gentle melodies. This year we partnered with NW Creative and Expressive Arts Institute, EarthCorps, acupuncturists, Sensei Jody, a Tai Chi instructor, and West Seattle Book Club.
I have say my favorite and most surprising was the ear acupuncture. It was so relieving and Dr. Yanzi Jiang, Dr. Milo Jackson, and Dr. Nikeeta Shah were all so much fun to hang out with. It’s hard to describe the sensation, but I cried in gratitude. I will definitely be continuing the relationships outside of SAM as a friend and patient.
The partnership I’m most proud of this year is the relationship I’ve been building with EarthCorps, a forest restoration nonprofit. I reached out to them in an interest to bring more environmental organizations into the fold of SAM partners. This year we started off with natural dye workshops from some of the plant materials they have collected on restoration sites. We have planned for a photography exhibition in the downtown location of photos their interns will take at the park and a science talk they will facilitate on 6/21/26. It’s been really rewarding to champion their work and share it with the museum’s community.
Sound Healing Evenings:
The sound healing evenings were birthed from the popularity of the sound baths in early iterations of SAM Body + Mind. They have transformed in to somewhat of a Sofar sounds like experience. Working with well-known artists to deliver an intimate and relaxed experience for the audience. This year we worked with Dianna Lopez, Holistic Hertz, and UMI. I was personally very excited to bring to Dianna to Seattle for the first time. One of the biggest perks of the is role is getting meet the artists who work I love, support them financially, stage them, and use the institution to platform their work. Dianna, I will treasure the time sitting on the beach of the park at sunset with you and Esmeralda. 4:44.
A major highlight was Heaven was the release of UMI’s mediation guide for the Olympic Sculpture Park, a project that had been in fruition for years. For the release of the guide, UMI held a launch event where she walked 300 people around the park listening to the guide. It was really impactful to see the work that we do at the museum on display in full force that day. Young, diverse crowds, many experiencing the park for the first time thoughtfully interacting with the space and getting close personal time with a significant artist.
UMI Sound Performance 3/7/26 Photo: Chloe Collyer
I officially have a full year of programs underneath my belt at the Seattle Art Museum. I’ve been asked many a time what my favorite has been so far and they each have their own highlights. I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to stretch creatively with the programs covering so much of what I love: movement, music, artmaking, science, wellness, and play. Thank you Universe for the opportunity to be seen so fully.
