There is an art in discovering art. Line, color, shape, luminosity are just some of the foundation bricks on which a work of art is built, some of the ways in which we engage with it. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Junior League of Seattle's Northwest Art Collection has focused since its inception on teaching these concepts to King County school-age children.

For many years, Bellevue Arts Museum has partnered with the Junior League on bringing their collection to Eastside schools, providing thousands of children with the opportunity to experience the Northwest's rich traditions of art and craft while developing visual vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Now, for the first time in a museum setting, the entire Northwest Art Collection will be on public view at BAM.

Comprised of over 70 paintings and sculptures, The Art of Discovery features some of the most influential artists of the Pacific Northwest, including Guy Anderson, Dale Chihuly, William Cumming, Morris Graves, Fay Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Sherry Markovitz, Alden Mason and Norie Sato. The exhibition is designed with an "educational twist," allowing children and adults of all ages to truly engage in the art that is discovery.

Founded in 1923, The Junior League of Seattle is one of 293 leagues around the world committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The Art of Discovery: The Northwest Art Collection of the Junior League of Seattle has been organized by Bellevue Arts Museum in collaboration with the Junior League of Seattle, curated by Stefano Catalani, Nora Atkinson and Patrick McMahon. This exhibition has been made possible by ArtsFund.