Community members will be invited to add their creativity to a new mural project along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) in early August.
The Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission recently selected creative duo Jake “DKoy” Wagoner and Mike Lucero to install a large format mural, which is entitled “What is…” The mural will be located where the CKC runs underneath 85th Street.
During the mural’s installation from August 2 through 16, community members will be invited to express their thoughts in response to prompts such as: What is love? What is happiness? What is beauty? These written responses will become a part of the final artwork.
“We’re seeking to make this a true reflection of Kirkland,” said Wagoner. “By involving the community and memorializing their expressions in the artwork, we believe we can do that.”
The artist team chose the site intentionally as it is one of the most urban locations along the CKC. By installing the mural at that location, the artists hoped the artwork would mirror the path the CKC travels through urban, tech, academic and wild landscapes.
“We wanted to create a piece of art that reflects Kirkland’s heart and soul,” said Lucero. “The mural will incorporate visual elements of the natural environment, technology and the arts as a way of portraying some of the many ways that Kirkland is beautiful.”
The duo was selected during an artist call to create an ephemeral, community art project that celebrated the CKC, reflected Kirkland as a community and enga
ged the community throughout the project.
“In 2016 the City approved the Cross Kirkland Corrid
or Art Integration plan, and we are delighted to see it start to come to life” said Ryan James, Chair of the Cultural Arts Commission. “This is a great opportunity for the public to participate in art that celebrates the interim trail.”
During the two week installation event, the community and trail users are invited to stop by the mural and engage with the artists. Painting supplies will be available for people to add their words to the prompts on the mural.
The installation event will be located very near to the first permanent art installation on the CKC, Merrily Dicks’ “The Spikes”.
The mural is made possible with funding from 4Culture and will be officially unveiled at the September 9 “Crossing Kirkland” event.
For more information on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, please visit the webpage.
