FACES | W Seattle
the River room
Meet River
From the beaches of Hawaii, River moved to Seattle to pursue his love of culinary arts. After learning about Seattle’s Asian food scene, he knew The Emerald City would be the perfect place for him. Beacon Hill was the area River settled down because of how ingrained food is into the culture. With so many incredible restaurants in the area, he had so many opportunities to learn and pursue his goals.
About Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood perched just southeast of downtown Seattle. Known for its stunning skyline views, the neighborhood is home to Jefferson Park, one of the city’s largest green spaces, offering golf, sports fields, and scenic walking trails.
Beacon Hill is a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its variety of restaurants, from authentic Vietnamese pho to delicious Mexican street tacos. With a strong sense of community, the neighborhood is filled with local markets, coffee shops, and gathering spots.
The Beacon Hill Light Rail Station makes commuting a breeze, connecting residents to downtown Seattle, the airport, and beyond in minutes. Whether enjoying the green spaces, exploring diverse eateries, or soaking in the views, Beacon Hill is a unique and welcoming part of the city.
River’s List
Immerse yourself in River’s world. Take a day trip or afternoon to explore his favorite dining experiences, shopping, and activities in Beacon Hill.
Share Your Experience on Social
Tag @wseattle @morganzion_
Use the hashtags #faceswseattle #riverslistseattle
COFFEE | The STATION
BRUNCH | the coupe and flute
HAPPY HOUR | baja bistro
DINNER | HOMER
DRINKS | perihelion brewery
SHOP | Little Thing Wine
LIVE MUSIC | Clock out lounge
WALK | Cheasty Natural Area & Trails
ACTIVITIES | Jefferson park
SCENERY | Dr. Jose Rizal Park
RIVER’s
Seattle Playlist
After working late one night, River discovered Clock Out Lounge, a local bar with live music and events. He fell in love with the space and the contemporary indie music they play. Now, every Friday night you will find River on the dance floor at the lounge. After embracing the music culture of Seattle, River attended Day in Day out, a local indie music festival, and fell further in love with the melodies and instrumentals that make up the genre.
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As the third best city in the U.S. for music fans, the city on everyone’s list for the best live music, and the place credited with the creation of its own music genre, Seattle is a music lover’s haven. W Seattle is one of many music destinations in the city, being the first hotel in North America with a W Sound Suite, a fully equipped private recording studio and creative space for artists. W Seattle also works with local artists to host weekly DJ performances and a monthly music series, W Seattle Presents First Fridays. In partnership with KEXP, First Fridays serves as an incubator for music acts on the cusp of bursting out of the Seattle scene. The first Friday of each month, First Fridays will showcase two live bands on the W Stage in the W Seattle Living Room.
Creating RIVER
Words from the artist
“I started creating Phoenix on an early Monday morning in the summer watching the sunrise from the 14th floor of W Seattle. I began my morning as I usually do with 15 minutes of meditation, followed by getting my coffee from Trace Market (black with a splash of almond milk). Once settled, I began to sketch and watch Phoenix come to life.”
My creative process
“As I sketch, I think about each character's story, their life, personality, interests, friends and what they would tell a visitor about why they love their city. After I have finished the sketch and story, I begin the mural process. I usually paint at night as it is my least busy time of day.
I like to snack while I paint on nuts, hummus and veggies and sometimes a cheeky glass of wine to fuel my chill, creative vibes. Each painting is stylistically meant to look like a large crosshatch sketch, giving each a gritty and unique personality. My intent is to draw guests in through the character’s eyes. The gaze invites the viewer to feel the personality, comfort and depth of each face.”
“Tapping into my creativity isn't always easy. When it comes to creating characters and their stories I really have to immerse myself into my creative process.
I hope our guests will enjoy the company of each face knowing it was made with intent, happiness and my love for seattle.”
— Morgan zion
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE RIVER ROOM
Share your experience in The Phoenix Room! Tag @wseattle @morganzion_ and use the hashtags #faceswseattle #riverslistseattle to be featured.
Faces Artwork
Shop original prints and hand-drawn artworks, including maps, coloring books, Faces prints, and original drawings from Faces at W Seattle.
Experience Seattle like a local
Discover the Emerald City like a Seattleite. Experience each Face’s favorite hidden gems.
*Please note that each face is an artistic creation of Morgan Zion. They are not based on real people.