Helveticka

Curating History and Hospitality
The Davenport Hotel: The Glory Years 1914-45
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2001

LOOKING BACK: This exhibition coincided with the grand opening of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture’s facility expansion. It focused on the period when Louis M. Davenport led what would become a landmark of hospitality known worldwide. The gallery featured a hotel timeline, profiles of Davenport and architect Kirtland K. Cutter, Cutter’s architectural sketches, and construction photos. Narrative panels showcased hotel amenities, employees, special events, and famous guests, along with artifacts and historical documents.

Drawing is something all kids do. And like pizza, even when it's bad it's good. Ahead of Drawing Day on May 16, team helveticka dug in our personal archives (thanks, Mom!) for a little reflection on raw creativity. See our old art and connect to your inner child on the blog: https://helveticka.com/blog/what-we-can-learn-from-our-childhood-masterpieces/

Make it an Even Dozen
Lilac Bloomsday Association, 1992-2002

LOOKING BACK: In 1992, local artist Ken Spiering was commissioned to create the Lilac Bloomsday Run poster. And for the next 11 years, he teamed with our firm’s cofounder John Mraz to conceptualize and design the commemorative posters. Each edition featured a Spiering watercolor depicting the 7.5-mile racecourse. The illustrator and designer collaborated one more time on the 2026 poster, their 12th, to celebrate Bloomsday’s 50th anniversary last weekend.