For the second year of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan (DAP), the Office of Arts & Culture has worked to lift up the arts and culture sector as a critical piece of a revitalized downtown. Earlier this year, we hosted “Downtown is Vibrant,” an event to share with community our… [ Keep reading ]
One of the wonderful things about living in Seattle is the richness of public art for all to enjoy. No matter where you go whether a park, downtown or your own neighborhood, Seattle is adorned with a wealth of art from the small scale, like Lost in Thought to the… [ Keep reading ]
Welcome Summer! Longer, dryer, and warmer days mean going out and spending time with friends and family (or on your own) to enjoy the public artworks on display throughout the city. This edition we’re looking back at all of the spring art in bloom. We welcomed new artworks into the… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s Public Art division is starting 2025 with new projects, newly installed artwork, and ongoing gallery shows and maintenance to the Civic Art Collection. Here’s a brief overview of some of the many things happening in and around the city. Staffing Updates Public Art staff… [ Keep reading ]
Come Salute the Return of the Arboretum’s Iconic, Sculptural Entry Gates, Stolen and Destroyed at the Start of the Pandemic Seattle, WA—You are invited to attend a free public celebration at Washington Park Arboretum for the installation of the refabricated Tsutakawa Memorial Gates. Please join us at the Graham Visitors… [ Keep reading ]
Soul Pole, an important piece of Central District history will be reinstalled in front of the Douglass Truth Library this February. In the summer of 1969, as part of President Johnson’s Model Cities Program (which ended in 1974), the Soul Pole was carved in a month by five teen artists, aged 14–16:… [ Keep reading ]
We’re seeking an undergraduate college student for a 15- to 18-week internship to support our public art conservation and maintenance program this summer. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable knowledge of public art conservation. The intern will perform maintenance and conservation activities including pressure-washing, sanding, filing,… [ Keep reading ]
Ever wonder how to clean the surface of a sculptural artwork without using toxic chemicals? Blasting media is a type of clean technology that can be used to prepare or clean almost any surface. It’s similar to sandblasting, but the range of products used are some of the most diverse… [ Keep reading ]
If you’re interested in preserving your photographs, you are probably already aware that the sun is the biggest enemy of photographic images. Keep in mind that fluorescent light bulbs will also accelerate fading. But because regular window glass is 97% ultraviolet reflective, you’ll achieve a great deal of protection simply… [ Keep reading ]
Most Seattleites and tourists to the city have journeyed at least once to see the panorama of the city replete with the Space Needle, as framed by the circular sculpture at Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park. Affectionately referred to as the “donut” by locals, Black Sun (1969) by Isamu Noguchi is… [ Keep reading ]
