October 16–19, 2025
This past weekend, my husband Chris and I had the incredible opportunity to attend a VIP art event hosted by Park West Gallery at the stunning Four Seasons Seattle. As art lovers and collectors, we couldn’t have imagined a more inspiring and luxurious experience — surrounded by breathtaking art, talented artists, and wonderful people who share the same passion.
We arrived Thursday evening, valeted the car, and checked into our beautiful room. The view was gorgeous, and excitement was definitely in the air. After dropping off our bags, we headed down to the lounge for a cocktail — a glass of wine and good conversation with another guest quickly set the tone for the weekend.
Later that evening, we checked in with the Park West team and were treated to a fabulous welcome dinner. The main auctioneer and his team gave a lively presentation about what to expect over the weekend — and their enthusiasm was contagious! Nearly 80% of the hotel guests were there for the event, which made it feel like one big creative community.
Friday morning started with a delicious breakfast, followed by our first artist meet-and-greet with Chris DeRubeis. His work is unlike anything else — a fascinating blend of metal, power tools, chemicals, and paint to create shimmering, dimensional pieces. After an engaging Q&A and our first art auction of the weekend, we couldn’t resist — we purchased two of his stunning pieces!
After the auction wrapped up, we spent the afternoon exploring the Seattle waterfront. We grabbed a bowl of clam chowder at Ivar’s, wandered by the new aquarium, and soaked in the salty breeze and lively atmosphere before heading back to the hotel.
That evening, Park West hosted another spectacular event featuring Matthew Beyrer, the artist for Saturday’s showcase. His oil paintings on redwood panels are breathtaking — warm, textured, and deeply emotive. Dinner was an Asian-inspired feast, and between the food, the art, and the conversations, it was a night to remember. I even handed out several of my new business cards — hopefully gaining some new clientele along the way!
Saturday morning mirrored Friday’s start: breakfast, laughter, and the excitement of another art-filled day. The morning Q&A with Matthew Beyrer was fascinating — hearing his creative process and the inspiration behind his pieces brought even more depth to his work. We couldn’t resist adding one of his paintings to our collection.
It felt especially meaningful since we already own a piece by Sarah Wall, who also paints on wood and was inspired by Beyrer’s technique. I can’t wait to see both pieces displayed together at home!
That afternoon, we walked down the lovely stairway from the Four Seasons to the waterfront again and enjoyed a relaxing lunch at Elliott’s Oyster House. Afterward, we slowly made our way up to Pike Place Market, taking our time exploring the shops and stalls before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the evening.
That night, we learned that the scheduled artist for Sunday couldn’t make it — but Park West surprised us by introducing a rising star: King Redd, a graffiti-style artist making his debut that very weekend. His bold, energetic work absolutely captivated us! After a fun Q&A and another delicious dinner featuring amazing seafood, the night came alive with dueling pianos for entertainment. The music, laughter, and atmosphere made for an unforgettable evening.
Sunday morning came all too quickly. After breakfast, we attended the final auction of the weekend and decided to add a few more treasures to our growing collection — three new pieces by the incredible Goddard. His work is absolutely beautiful and was the perfect way to round out our weekend of art.
Following the auction, Park West treated everyone to a casual lunch of wraps before it was time to pack up. But before we left Seattle, we couldn’t resist one last stop at Pike Place Market — a tradition for us. I picked up a bouquet of fresh flowers, some local produce, and a few muffins for my mother-in-law. We even discovered Fran’s Chocolates, a local gem, and treated ourselves to some of their amazing sweets before loading up the car and heading home.
All in all, this weekend was truly special. Becoming VIP collectors with Park West Gallery has opened doors to experiences we never imagined — like this one, where we could connect with incredible artists and fellow collectors in such a personal setting.
We’ve purchased art from Park West on two separate cruises in the past, and every piece has brought us joy. This event reminded us exactly why we love collecting: each work of art tells a story, and now we have a few more chapters to add to ours.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to attend another Park West VIP event in the future. Seattle, with its beauty, creativity, and charm, was the perfect backdrop for a weekend we’ll never forget.