PNA brings community together to create not one, but five new murals near Green Lake
The much beloved 63rd St Mural near Green Lake just got a major update thanks to the PNA and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. Five new murals now grace the over 270-foot wall that runs under Aurora Ave N. Local artists Ai-Chun Huang, Craig Cundiff, Odette Allen, Dozfy, and the artist-team of Aistė Rye and Mia Milling were commissioned by the PNA, with funding from the City of Seattle and Office of Arts & Culture, to create the new murals intended to inspire a sense of belonging in the PhinneyWood community.
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“For us, belonging is deeply rooted in our life experiences,” write Aistė Rye and Mia Milling, who are both Deaf/Hard of Hearing artists. “Due to the challenges we often face in an audio-centric world, we understand the meaning of belonging well.” Rye and Milling’s mural, titled Connect, prominently displays linked hands signing the word “connect” in ASL. “Most of all,” write Milling and Rye, “Connect aims to encourage viewers (Hearing & Deaf/Hard of Hearing people) to see each other’s perspectives, and ultimately, connect with each other to create a sense of belonging in the community.”
One of the compelling features of the project is how it highlights a diversity of artists, styles, techniques, and approaches to the theme. Dozfy’s striking work at the center of the wall shows two whales coming together. “This show of togetherness conveys unity and family. I also wanted to appeal to people of all different backgrounds and show inclusivity, especially through use of the colors, with this centerpiece focusing on the whales, motion and coming together as a community.”
Craig Cundiff writes of his piece depicting a woman flying through the clouds, “By embracing the infinite expanses within ourselves and the world around us, I invite the viewer to contemplate the essence of belonging as a bridge that connects our individual souls to the greater cosmos.”
With five unique and deftly crafted works of art, there is truly something for the whole community. And the PNA activated much of the community to create the murals. Over three dozen volunteers came out on September 30 to assist the artists and Urban Artworks in painting. Neighborhood businesses were involved too, with Mallory Paint Store (on N 80th St and Aurora Ave N) donating all the paint and Phinney Ridge Painting donating technical support to the project.
Report Graffiti
Now, as efforts shift to protecting the artwork from graffiti and other forms of vandalism, the PNA is asking the community to continue its support. Community members can report graffiti, volunteer for the Graffiti Busting Team, and donate to help offset the cost of maintenance.
History of the 63rd St Mural
This site has served as a prominent location for public art since the 1990s. In 2014, a group of community members, with support from the Phinney Neighborhood Association and a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund grant, commissioned artist Michiko Tanaka to design the most recent mural, “Animal Silhouettes.” Though a group of dedicated volunteers helped the mural outlive its 5-year expected lifespan, it eventually became covered by graffiti and was painted over in 2021.
About the Artists
Ai-Chun Huang
Ai-Chun, a UI/UX designer and art director situated in Seattle, passionately immerses herself in the realms of art and design, striving to craft a better future while relishing the joys of life.
Dozfy
Dozfy is a muralist and fine art artist in Seattle, WA. His journey started in Austin, Texas where he had a mentor named Michael Ray Charles, a Black international fine artist. He taught Dozfy valuable lessons in the power of art, having worked with other artists such as Spike Lee, about incorporating a strong message and somewhat theatrical effect that’s taught Dozfy how to send a powerful singular message through imagery.
Odette Allen
Odette’s work features plants and animals native to the places she paints, and often reflects the communities that have traditionally lived there. She likes to feature surprising elements such as small, beautiful predators, or quirky native species of plants. She believes it’s important to look beyond our expectations of the people and life around us to see who or what is really there. Her work gives voice to that complexity and opens the door for all of us to redefine how we see each other a little bit.
Craig Cundiff
Craig Cundiff is a South Seattle-based artist born in New Orleans. After relocating subsequent to Hurricane Katrina, Cundiff has since established himself within Seattle’s robust art community with his large-scale murals. Over the last seven years, Craig has painted over 25 public works of art that celebrate the strength and beauty of a diverse community.
Aistė Manfredini
Aistė is an artist, visual designer, and marketing consultant with independent client and agency work experience in Seattle, Washington. From digital graphic design and mural painting to video production and copywriting, Aistė is passionate about using various media to tell engaging stories that inspire communities, elevate brands, and support business goals.
Sponsors
This project was made possible with major support from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and sponsorship from Mallory Paint and Phinney Ridge Painting.
