Wallingford Beautification Call for Artists

The collaborative effort to bring public art to three utility boxes on N. 45^th is moving forward. At the end of June, the leadership team for the Wallingford Beautification Utility Box Project learned that funding from a Department of Neighborhoods Small Sparks Grant has been awarded. With the green light on funding, they can now move to the next step—reaching out to artists to help tell the story of Wallingford. A $750 artist stipend will be offered for each completed box. To learn what is required and to apply, go to the Wallingford Beautification page on the Historic Wallingford website, Wallingford Beautification.  If you have any questions, contact [email protected].

Artist submissions will be reviewed in early August, and completion of final artwork to be due September 16^th.  It is a fast timeline as completion is planned for late September-October, before the weather turns wet.   Permits from the City of Seattle Department of Transportation can take 4-6 weeks to receive and finished art must be presented with the application. The final artwork will be applied as a vinyl wrap with a graffiti resistant laminate. The three boxes identified for the project are:

1. N. 45^th and Meridian in front of Silver Tray Thai Restaurant
2. N. 45^th and Wallingford in front of QFC
3. N. 45^th and Densmore in front of Wells Fargo Bank

The plan is for the art to utilize or draw inspiration from historic photos to be combined with original art that shares the story of Wallingford.

At the completion of the project there are plans for a community celebration with some activities for children, hopefully combined with a neighborhood cleanup session.

Appreciation is extended to the Wallingford Community Council, The Wallingford Chamber of Commerce, Historic Wallingford, and community members who donated to this project via Give Big.  These donations fulfilled a match requirement for the Small Sparks Grant that would allow completion of 3 utility boxes.

This project for the first three boxes in Wallingford is a protype and may lead the way to complete art on more boxes in Wallingford.  There are 16 boxes on 45^th and many around the community. Public art can help encourage care of our neighborhood and show pride in the community. A list of potential artists will be maintained for reference for future projects.

Please share this information far and wide! There are some technical requirements, but there can be assistance with that, and all are welcome to apply.

Funding provided by the Neighborhood Matching Fund from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

The streetcar photograph is courtesy of Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI).