The Art is Coming..The Art is Coming..And Then a Party

Really– that is the plan. Unless another horrendous weather event shakes things up, it is planned to power wash and install vinyl wrapped artworks on three utility boxes on N. 45^th during the week of December 9^th. To celebrate, a Community Gathering is scheduled inside the Wallingford Center, where Trophy Cupcakes once stood, on Saturday, December 14^th from 10 a.m. to noon with family friendly activities and light refreshments. We really hope that all goes according to the plan and that the boxes are complete by December 14^th! Let’s party no matter what! Save the date—December 14^th from 10-noon. 

More than a year has passed since The Wallingford Beautification group was launched and focused on the Utility Box Project.  Following up on an earlier Wallyhood article below, I am happy to share that we are quickly approaching the finish line!

Link to July 8^th Wallingford Beautification call to Artists

https://www.wallyhood.org/2024/07/wallingford-beautification-call-for-artists/#gsc.tab=0

Three artists– Julisha Kim, Jen Vickers and Alex Nason were selected out of a field of thirty-two applicants to produce artwork for three utility boxes on N. 45^th Street.

 

 

 

 

The primary purpose of this project was to bring new public art to the neighborhood, contributing to the vibrance of Wallingford and support a sense of pride for the community. All three artists have extensive experience as public art muralists and have produced other public art projects. Their artwork has been digitized and will be transformed into vinyl wraps by a company, Super Graphics. Jen Vicker’s art will be wrapped on the box on the SE corner of Meridian Ave. N and N. 45^th in front of Silver Tray Thai Restaurant and features a variety of historic photos, one showing the historic building directly across N. 45th where CVS now resides. Alex Nason’s art will be featured on the box at Wallingford Ave N and N 45^th Street, in front of QFC. Alex’s artwork features two large historic photos, one featuring children boarding a streetcar on Wallingford Ave. N. and the second early photo of the Wallingford Kiddie parade on N. 45th and Bartell Drug. The third box is on the SE corner of N. 45^th and Densmore Ave. N. in front of Wells Fargo Bank and will feature the artwork of Julisha Kim. Julisha took inspiration from the heritage homes found around the corner on Densmore Ave. N. and all-around Wallingford. All three enhanced their inspirational starting point with their own artistic flavor.

It took time to finalize art, submit it to the Seattle Department of Transportation, respond to SDOT requirements, submit it again, send art to Super Graphics, adjust to their requirements, and then wait for the permit to be issued. On November 22^nd we all shouted a loud hurray when we received the email that the permit was issued! In late October we were told that temperature and rain could hinder the installation of the artwork—yes rain in Seattle. We scrambled to extend the deadline of the Small Sparks Grant from the City of Seattle, should we have to wait for spring for the installation. Super Graphics offered the potential utilizing an installer who would use a tent and heater, for a small price—and we said yes!   

Thank you to all who have supported this effort who include the volunteers who help lead and form the project, the panel who helped choose the artist, The City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Community Matching Grants program, 4Culture, community contributors to the Give Big effort featuring this project, community organizations, Historic Wallingford, the Wallingford Community Council, and the Wallingford Chamber of Commerce and Celebrate Wallingford.  There are sixteen boxes on 45^th so more could come!

Let’s manifest reasonable weather for the week of December 9^th and plan to join the Community Celebration and enjoy the beautifully decorated Wallingford Center on December 14^th from 10-noon!