About the Artist

Our inaugural artist in residence is Owen Oliver (Quinault / Isleta Pueblo). Owen comes from the people of the Lower Columbia River, Salish Sea, and Southwest Pueblos of Isleta. He has a bachelor’s in American Indian Studies from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing a MFA in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Owen has been drawn to writing as an outlet for creative expression since high school. But now, is strengthening his craft as a process of understanding and sharing landscape-learned knowledge of the Pacific Northwest through lyrical essays, poetry, and urban design. He recently published the Indigenous Walking tour of UW.

Owen will be composing a hybrid essay that amplifies the yəhaw̓ land through Salish & Chinook knowledge systems, wellness, language, and historical context. The essay will hone on the infancy of the plot and the reimagined futures of what kinship with the land looks like in urban Seattle.