The Seattle Seahawks return home to Lumen Field for Week 12 to face the Las Vegas Raiders. In the continued effort to create initiatives to highlight homegrown Pacific Northwest talent, the Seattle Seahawks Gameday Poster series does just that. Meet Week 12 feature artist Barry Ament.
Behind The Gameday Poster
The fourth edition of the Seattle Seahawks Gameday Poster works in partnership with Seattle art pioneer the Ames Bros. This series gives fans the option to purchase limited-edition gameday art memorabilia brought to you by local artists from right here in the Pacific Northwest. The Week 12 beneficiary is Northwest Harvest, the leading hunger relief agency in the state. Northwest Harvest's mission is to build partnerships in communities across Washington to get food where it's needed most, averaging two million meals each month throughout the state of Washington.
The duo of Barry Ament and Coby Schultz are the masterminds behind some of the world's greatest illustrations, created here in Seattle. The pair met at art college in Montana, moving to Seattle to pursue their artistic endeavors in a bigger market. The duo found a niche in poster and apparel artwork for mega groups like Pearl Jam and Metallica. Now they are giving homegrown talent an opportunity to shine on a major platform courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks.
Barry Ament, The Artist
More than three decades ago, Montana State University's graphic design studio served as a meeting place for one of art's greatest duos. Two Montana natives - Barry Ament from Big Sandy, and Coby Schultz that split his formative years between Kalispell and Livingston. The duo that would pair over a common love for art and drawing in college grew up using their environments to inspire their drive and creativity. In 2011, the duo sat down with their alma mater to discuss their starts and the journey to being one of the country's most-renowned design firms.
"Living in Big Sandy," said Ament. "If you didn't have an imagination, there really wasn't a lot to look at. It's a pretty flat, barren landscape. Growing up in the era that we did, was almost a generation back. I didn't play video games; I rode my bike. If I was bored, I drew pictures. There weren't a lot of other opportunities or distractions. Looking back, I think that was a great thing for my development and my imagination."
Who could've imagined just where the Ament name would go, as Barry and brother Jeff created legacies that went far beyond Montana state limits. Originally Barry had plans on being a dentist, but a fear of blood and a color theory class changed the course of history.
Jeff moved to Seattle first, pursuing his dreams as bassist for now-iconic rock band Pearl Jam. By the time Barry met Schultz at Montana State, the band was making waves nationwide in preparation of their 1991 debut album "Ten". By the time Ament and Schultz developed an inseparable bond that led them to take an international design opportunity in Holland, Pearl Jam was becoming international rockstars. Jeff enlisted the help of his brother to help with design in Seattle.
"We were selling a lot of records," said Ament — indeed, "Ten" went platinum 12 times — "but the organization was really small. So it made sense to be hands-on with Barry."
Schultz joined Ament in Emerald City shortly thereafter, and Ames Bros graphics design company was created in 1994. With a focus on unique concert posters and memorabilia, the market for the duo soon swelled from artists to major corporations looking for work.
Over the last three decades, the Ames Bros have designed for some of the biggest names in the music business, as well as product design for brands like Converse and Ray-Ban. The pair that spent hours back-to-back bouncing ideas off each other since college has done plenty individually as well. The Ament brothers won a 2020 Grammy Award for Best Recording Package for the Chris Cornell album.
The Seahawks gameday poster series is another opportunity for art lovers to get signature pieces from some of the Pacific Northwest's best. It's also a chance for Ament - a season ticket holder - to create pieces for the team he loves.
The Artwork
This week's gameday poster is the best of both worlds, as it integrates the Thanksgiving holiday with Seattle's incoming battle with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ament perfectly blends the college navy and action green of the Seahawks with the Raiders' signature silver and black to create a vibrant, fun holiday gameday poster. But that's as far as the courtesies go, as the poster does little to give Raiders fans any hope of victory. This is the Seahawks gameday poster after all, as Ament explains.
"First and foremost," said Ament. "It needs to be 100-percent a Seahawks poster. But, it's fun to take the opponents colors and imagery, re-imagine, re-appropriate and flip things on their head. It's a way to memorialize the event as a whole by including the opponent, but making it clear they're not invited to the party."
Art is about creativity and drawing inspiration, and this week's poster was a personal dedication to Ament's childhood.
"I grew up in a small town in Montana and as a kid nothing mattered more to me and my friends than football," said Ament. "Football at recess. Football after school. Football behind the end-zone when the high school game was going on. Understand, growing up in Montana, there's no home team, at least not for hundreds of miles and in another state. So, as a kid you had to pick "your'' team. We got AFC West and NFC East games on TV, so most of my friends were Seahawks, Chargers, Raiders and Cowboy fans. Mostly Raiders and Cowboy fans for sure. So I grew up with a disdain for both of those teams. I straight up could not stand America's team, but the Raiders? The Raiders, I loved to hate, they're like the Darth Vader of sports. The ultimate villains. And if you get me talking about Lester Hayes, The Snake, Matuszak or any of those Raiders from the 80s, I might get a little choked up. I miss some vintage Silver and Black. So, my favorite part of creating this poster is thinking about my buddies, who I grew up with, who had the Raider's shoe laces, pants and satin jackets and imagining they'll be a little sad after this Sunday's game. It's honestly why I looked at the schedule and picked this game, satisfying my inner 12-year-old."
Not only was this week's gameday poster a chance to have fun with the holiday-based theme for Ament, but to help out a great cause. Pay close attention to the details of the poster, because you may miss a more-important message.
"This being a Thanksgiving weekend game and having the proceeds going to the NW Harvest sparked an idea," said Ament. "It's one of my favorite holidays - not terribly commercialized and all about family, food and football. And with an emphasis on giving and thinking about your fellow man. I really like the idea of everyone getting fed on Thanksgiving and collectively being so full of food and good-will that we let a few turkeys off the hook. I've actually seen the turkeys who are pardoned by the president who live out their days tucked away in a remote corner at Disneyland. It's an enviable set-up. With the poster, I thought, why stop there - what if Coach Carroll pardoned a few more and made them honorary Seahawks? I figured he's earned the power to do so at this point. If you read the fine print on the Pardon you'll see that all birds are welcome but does not include Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles or Ravens. I like to tell a story with a poster, even if only for self-amusement."
Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization striving to end hunger in Washington state. It's all about the details, down to the text itself, which Ament used to pay homage to someone that inspired him.
"Definitely a tip of the cap to vintage holiday cards and type treatments from the days of yore," said Ament. "Something Burl Ives would be happy with. Pure nostalgia."
This week's poster is officially sold out, but you can BID NOW for an opportunity to secure a Week 12 platinum poster via our auction website.
The Seahawks face the Raiders at Lumen Field for Week 12 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from previous games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, on November 6, 1977. The Raiders defeated the Seattle 44-7. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 26, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 17-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Jim Zorn and kicker Efren Herrera (1) watch as the winning field goal goes through the crossbars in the last three seconds of play in game with Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Nov. 26, 1978. The kick was good for 46 yards and provided Seattle with 17-16 margin of victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 26, 1980. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 33-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive end John Matuszak (72) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) during play in an NFL football game in 1981. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Los Angeles Raider Marcus Allen (32), center, makes his way over the goal line to score in second quarter action against the Seattle Seahawks at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca., Dec. 5, 1982. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent (80) runs a pass pattern during game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Dec. 5, 1982. Raiders won, 28-22. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Raiders Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) during an NFL game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 30, 1983. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back David Hughes (46) runs upfield during the 1983 AFC Championship NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Los Angeles, Jan. 8, 1984. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 30-14. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley (45) rushes upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Oct. 7, 1984, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Dan Doornink (33) goes for yardage in the second quarter while Los Angeles Raiders Vann McElroy (28) tackles him, as Raiders Mike Davis (36) watches during the Raiders 13-7 loss in the AFC wild card game at the Kingdome in Seattle, Wash., Saturday, Dec. 22, 1984. Doornink carried for 123 yards with 27 carries. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Marcus Allen action (32) of the Los Angeles Raiders makes the first down on this second quarter play against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1985, Los Angeles, Calif. Defending Allen are Seattle's John Harris (44) and Paul Moyer (21). (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), center, holds the ball after catching a touchdown pass from Dave Krieg in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Seattle, Dec. 9, 1986. With Largent is Daryl Turner (81) and Paul Skansi (82). Seattle won 37-0. (AP Photo)
Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) suffers a ten-yard sack at the hands of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Fredd Young (50), at Seattle, Dec. 8, 1986. (AP Photo)
Running back Bo Jackson (34) of the Los Angeles Raiders follows Dokie Williams (85) for a four yard gain against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of the Monday night game in Seattle, Wash., Nov. 30, 1987. Jackson had 122 yards in the first half of the game . (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), right, grabs a first-quarter 15-yard pass for a touchdown as he beats Lionel Washington (48) of the Los Angeles Raiders, during their night game in Seattle, Nov. 28, 1988. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) eludes Los Angeles Raiders defender Greg Townsend, right, as Krieg scrambles to find a receiver late in the fourth quarter in Los Angeles, Oct. 2, 1989. Krieg completed 22 of 31 passes for 227 yards as the Seahawks edged the Raiders, 24-20. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Seattle Seahawks guard Edwin Bailey (65) battles Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Jerry Robinson (57) in an NFL game, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks center Grant Feasel (54) gets set to snap the ball during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Warren(42) in action during his 1992 season game against the Los Angeles Raiders on November 15, 1992 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders beat the Seahawks 20-3. Chris Warren played for 11 years with 3 different teams and was a 3-time Pro Bowler.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer (3) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Dec. 12, 1993, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Raghib Ismail, (86) battles Seattle Seahawks Carlton Gray for the ball in the end zone during second quarter NFL action in Los Angeles, Sept. 11, 1994. The effort failed the pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) is tackled during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 8, 1995 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 34 to 14. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders linebacker Mike Morton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36) in the rain. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders defensive back Lorenzo Lynch (43) and linebacker Mike Morton (50) hold on to Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 14, 1997. Seahawks beat Raiders 22-21. Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren (42). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight (82) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jeff Feagles (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 5, 1999. Raiders beat Seahawks 30-21. Oakland Raiders center Adam Treu (62) and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) have words. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks kicker Todd Peterson (2) lifts his arms up as he hits a 45-yard field goal to put Seattle ahead 22-21 in the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999 against the Oakland Raiders in Seattle. The field goal was all Seattle needed as they held off Oakland to win the game. Also shown is Oakland's K. D. Williams (59) and Seattle's Christian Fauria (86). (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters (32) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 31 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) rushes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 38-14. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game, 38-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Zack Bronson (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) on Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 31-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace scrambles out of trouble against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game at Qwest Field in Seattle Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' running back Leonard Weaver runs away from Oakland Raiders' Chris Clemons (48), and Robert Thomas (55) in the second quarter of NFL Football action at Qwest Field in Seattle on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Duckett runs against the Oakland Raiders' during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, in Seattle. Duckett rushed for 71 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 23-16 win for the Seahawks. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Devin Moore, center left, tries to dodge a tackle from Oakland Raiders' Sam Williams, center right, and Jerome Boyd, right, in the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 33 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) hands off to Thomas Clayton (45) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Clayton dives into the end zone over Raiders defenders for a touchdown during a preseason game against Oakland on September 2, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks defenders force a fumble in a preseason matchup against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2012.
Seattle Seahawks' Cooper Helfet dives across the goal line to score against the Oakland Raiders in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' Walter Thurmond, left, makes a one-handed interception of a pass intended for Oakland Raiders' Jacoby Ford (12), right, in the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson flips the football to a Seahawks receiver to evade oncoming Oakland defender during a preseason game on August 29, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson pulls down reception in the open field against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks corner back DeShawn Shead celebrates as he enters the end zone after returning a Raiders pass back for six during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates during a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 2, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin takes back an interception for a touchdown during a game against the Raiders on November 4, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks free safety Ryan Murphy scans the Oakland Raiders backfield during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs by Raiders defenders on his way to the end zone during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to lead the team out to the field in Oakland during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins powers past Oakland defenders during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Kenny Lawler celebrates in the end zone after scoring a late game touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks Rodney Smith walks in for a score during a preseason matchup against the Raiders on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson tips an Oakland Raiders pass during a preseason game on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Austin Davis throws a pass down the field during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin pulls down a tough catch over an Oakland Raiders defender during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws down the field against the Oakland Raiders during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarren Reed sacks Oakland quarterback Derek Carr during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
