The Garfield Super Block Coalition (GSB) and Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) are currently seeking artists to help contribute to the placemaking goals of the GSB project by creatively telling the story of the Central District neighborhood through art. The Garfield Super Block project is a community-led project that aims to renovate the play area, promenade, and public restroom based on the 2005 Garfield Super Block Master Plan. Through a robust community-led planning process, the GSB sets out to integrate arts and amenities to reflect the cultural diversity and history of Seattle’s Central District.
Seattle’s Central District has a deep history of community building, migration, settlement, and displacement. From the Indigenous people’s habitation of the land and the U.S. treaties that removed them, to the history of redlining that designated where communities of color could live, the project team feels that art is integral to telling the story of the neighborhood for GSB. The GSB project recognizes seven key cultural communities that played pivotal roles in the neighborhood’s historic development: the Black/African American, Chinese, Duwamish, Filipino Italian, Japanese, and Jewish communities. The integration of art installations is intended to play a major role in connecting these seven cultures that contribute to the history of the Central District.
“We cannot stop change from happening in our neighborhoods, but together we can create a lasting testament to its history,” said Esther Ervin, Arts Curator for GSB. “We’re excited to give artists the opportunity to be a part of this lasting testament and create a new sense of community through artwork.”
GSB is looking for eight artists to contribute to the following two opportunities:
- Reforesting the Central Area
Seeking (1) artist to craft three unique designs inspired by trees, stumps, roots, and other biome, to be transformed into imaginative seating for the community. The selected artist will collaborate with the landscape architects, to envision a “reforested” space that honors the history of the land and the roots systems that connect us to the past and future.
Apply for Reforesting the Central area: https://www.publicartist.org/call.cfm?CFID=5218829&CFTOKEN=132b2cffebeb8320-C8507B07-B5F0-B1FD-8C4D4F034EA5F32A&id=6546
- Pillars of Promise
Seeking (7) artists to create seven pillars that shine a spotlight on the stories of the vibrant ethnic communities that shaped the Central District neighborhood from 1800 to 1975: African American, Chinese, Duwamish, Filipino, Italian, Japanese, and Jewish people. These artworks will be created by an artist from each of the seven cultures and all the artists will work on an 8th pillar as a shared effort.
Apply for Pillars of Promise: https://www.publicartist.org/call.cfm?CFID=5240921&CFTOKEN=1bb42ba7ea0c5e63-96A82530-043D-1E86-2EA4297E1EA7D425&id=6545
Each of the selected artists will receive a stipend of $10,000 after their final design is submitted to and accepted by the coalition. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 12th, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Additionally, GSB will be holding four online application workshops to assist potential artists through the process. Prospective artists can join with the following Zoom sessions:
Monday, August 21, 6-7 p.m.
- Meeting ID: 81931900502
- Passcode: 572975
Saturday, September 2, 2-3 p.m.
- Meeting ID: 86867420196
- Passcode: 433058
Sunday, September 3, 12-1 p.m.
- Meeting ID: 85772517513
- Passcode: 539451
Wednesday, September 6, 6-7 p.m.
- Meeting ID: 89011309701
- Passcode: 786689
For more information and full application details, please visit the corresponding project site for Reforesting the Central Area and Pillars of Promise or contact Alison Post at alison@garfieldsuperblock.org or 206-321-2711.
