Ty Juvinel; Photo courtesy of the artist. The Office of Arts & Culture, Seattle City Light, and Chief Seattle Club are joining forces with the Raven Village community to bring new life to a Ballard City Light substation!
This project will transform blank substation walls and fencing along Leary Way into a piece of public art, featuring artist Ty Juvinel (Tulalip). It will live as a celebration of Indigenous voices, histories, and futures in Seattle, welcoming residents and visitors with bold imagery rooted in cultural traditions.
Residents of Raven Village and surrounding neighbors will have opportunities to engage with Ty throughout the creative process, providing insight and inspiration as he develops a design concept. Over the coming months, we’ll see ideas and sketches take shape, and eventually, Raven Village will be adorned with artwork that stands as a symbol of resilience, healing, and cultural pride.
Read on to learn more about the public art process and the selected artist.
About Raven Village
Raven Village is a tiny home community providing shelter, safety, and resources to Indigenous individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Operated by Chief Seattle Club, Raven Village offers:
- 22 insulated, climate-controlled tiny homes
- A shared kitchen, showers, and laundry
- Gathering spaces and gardens
- Case management in housing, employment, health care, traditional wellness, and education
Every day, Raven Village embodies strength and care. This public artwork will reflect that spirit, highlighting the site as not only a place of support, but also one of beauty and pride.
Choosing the Artist
Over the summer, a panel of community members and arts professionals reviewed applications, scored artwork, and held multiple meetings to ensure the chosen artist aligned with the goals of the project. Three finalists were invited for in-depth interviews:
- Bethany Fackrell (Snoqualmie) & Liam Miller (Kānaka Maoli)
- Stephan Smith (Quinault and Makah)
- Ty Juvinel (Tulalip)
After careful consideration, the panel unanimously selected Ty. They were impressed by both his artistic range and his deep dedication to cultural teaching and community engagement.
Meet Ty Juvinel
Known by his traditional name Zu Waq’ Sub Waq’Waq’ (Lightning Frog), Ty Juvinel has been immersed in Tulalip culture his entire life. His grandmother, Grace Goedel, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Lushootseed language, and her legacy continues to inspire Ty’s work. From graffiti and drawing in his youth, Ty found his way into Coast Salish art and carving, eventually becoming an Apprentice Carver with the Tulalip Tribes. His art spans public artworks, children’s books he both writes and illustrates, and carved paddles, masks, house posts, and panels.
Ty’s collaborations are wide-ranging, including Seattle Children’s Museum, UW Burke Museum, Seattle Public Library, Tulalip’s Hibulb Cultural Center, Edmonds Historical Museum, the cities of Edmonds and Olympia, and MOHAI.
The Raven Village Mural Project is made possible with Seattle City Light 1% for Art Funds, administered by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
