In nearly every profession, there is a chicken and egg problem: experience helps applicants get a job, but without the first job, how does one acquire experience? Public art is no different in that regard. Public art, and the art world overall, are predominately White in terms of administration, policy,… [ Keep reading ]
May 28, 2024 Re: Written comments required by Seattle Municipal Code 3.14.830G, as amended by Ordinance No. 123460 (2010) Dear Mayor Harrell, As our city continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, we appreciate that you are working to navigate civic challenges that range from economic stability to… [ Keep reading ]
In 2021, we selected Kate Clark as Seattle City Light’s Artist-in-Residence. She was tasked with learning about the utility to develop a Seattle City Light Art Plan (16.9MB PDF) that would guide and inform public art projects into the future. The goal of the project was to create a long-term… [ Keep reading ]
Atmospheric River By Bryan Wilson (In a city where rivers float in the sky) braiding through cedars & buildings like a sentence in a poem, rivers rise as raindrops. A city, Heron-still — staring into Sound stones polishing words — storm-galoshing songs. Before long, river-rain makes watercolors of us, gathers… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle’s Little Sài Gòn by Bryna Antonia (Á Thanh) Cortes Fresh bánh baking, refrigerator hums. Red stripes through yellow, old and proud, the iconic nón lá. Jackson and 12th street trails, swinging doors gift savory winds. Bowls of soup warming you with just a scent. Markets of clamor, of every… [ Keep reading ]
For National Poetry Month 2024, Civic Poet Shin Yu Pai is launching Poetry in Place. This public poetry project includes the work of five local artists on the theme of Seattle places and sustainability at sites all across the city. The Seattle Public Libraries by Cindy Luong On hold —… [ Keep reading ]
The Visit by Kathya Alexander The sun is drooping behind her house. The bright spring day is warm and nice. The evening’s bathed in a pinkish glow. Miss Grosvenor’s voice is strong but low. “How you doing? Come take a seat.” I sit down on her wooden steps. The flowers… [ Keep reading ]
Urban Bees, Blue Hour by Joe Nasta Our honey frames weigh heavy, the second summer dahlias bloomed under gossamer sun & we vibrate softer now. We are ready for the coming chill together on our scattered rooftops. We made more than enough to share, so lick the inside of the… [ Keep reading ]
Multi-site Public Poetry Installations for National Poetry Month SEATTLE, WA – Our current Seattle Civic Poet, Shin Yu Pai, is beginning the final cycle of her two-year commission with a multi-site public poetry installation (6MB slide deck) for National Poetry Month in April. Last year, Pai invited public input on… [ Keep reading ]
We spoke with artist Abraham Awalom about his experience being on the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s Public Art Artist Roster! An Eritrean-born artist, Abraham came to the U.S. in 2014 as an asylee; an experience that informs much of his work. He maintains a connection through his work… [ Keep reading ]
