Dr. Seuss exhibit opens in Kirkland for 70th anniversary celebration

A traveling exhibit from The Art of Dr. Seuss opens July 2 at Gunnar Nordstrom Fine Arts in Kirkland, Washington, giving visitors a chance to see rare illustrations, paintings and sculptures tied to The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. The show runs through Aug. 2 and marks an early start to the characters’ 70th birthday celebration.

Why it matters: - The exhibit brings estate-authorized Dr. Seuss works to Kirkland and gives collectors a chance to buy limited-edition pieces. - The show spotlights the wider artistic range of Theodor Seuss Geisel, beyond the books that made Dr. Seuss a children’s literature icon. - The timing ties the exhibit to the approaching 70th birthdays of The Cat in the Hat and the Grinch, which adds cultural and commercial interest.

What happened: - Gunnar Nordstrom Fine Arts and La Petite Galerie are hosting The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection in Kirkland, Washington. - The exhibition opens Thursday, July 2, 2026, with a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - The show runs July 2 through Aug. 2, 2026. - The venue is Gunnar Nordstrom Fine Arts, 92 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, WA 98033. - The exhibit arrives as an early celebration of the 70th anniversaries of The Cat in the Hat and the Grinch.

The details: - Visitors will see concept art from The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. - The exhibit also includes selections from Dr. Seuss’s "Midnight Paintings," which reimagine the Cat in the Hat in different alter egos. - The collection features works from Dr. Seuss’s best-known children’s classics alongside pieces from The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. - The show includes illustrations, paintings and sculptures. - Among the highlights are "Unorthodox Taxidermy" sculptures, including the Two-Horned Drouberhannis and Carbonic Walrus. - Every piece in the exhibition is available for acquisition. - The limited editions were adapted and reproduced from Geisel’s original paintings, drawings or sculptures. - Each piece carries an authorized Dr. Seuss Estate signature. - Audrey Geisel said, "I’m gratified to carry out Ted’s wishes and have these works revealed to the world." - The exhibit is framed as a window into the imagination of one of the 20th century’s most creative minds.

Between the lines: - The show blends nostalgia with scarcity, which can appeal to both fans and collectors. - The emphasis on estate authorization and limited editions suggests the exhibition is designed to carry both artistic and market value. - The early anniversary timing gives the gallery a way to turn a familiar pop-culture milestone into a local event.

What's next: - Kirkland visitors can attend the opening reception on July 2 or view the exhibition during its monthlong run. - Interested buyers can inquire about acquiring works during the exhibit. - More information is available at the gallery website.