City of Seattle: Longfellow Creek Artwork Project

The Office of Arts & Culture, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), seeks an artist to develop site-specific and site-integrated permanent artworks within the right-of-way and pathways along the Longfellow Creek - Natural Drainage System Project, located at the dead end at Kenyon St. and 24th Ave. S.W. This call is open only to artists who have been selected for the City of Seattle: Public Artist Roster.

The selected artist will develop one or possibly a series of outdoor permanent artwork elements that could be integrated into the structural design components. The artist will work with SPU, the landscape architect, engineers, local schools, and community members to develop, fabricate, and install artwork that will inspire and inform visitors and residents about the creek and watershed. The artistic elements should enhance the user experience and foster an enriched sense of place. The artwork could help inspire and inform about Longfellow Creek, SPU's stormwater management work, and encourage exploration of the watershed. The artist is encouraged to use community engagement activities to gather information and feedback from neighboring residents and to engage youth around environmental stewardship. Possible approaches include creating a visual narrative connecting the public to the local environment, an integrated wayfinding thread through the site, designs integrated with the bridge, and site-integrated experiences along the path. The artist is encouraged to explore a diversity of durable media.

The pedestrian pathway connects a bus stop at the dead end west of Delridge Way SW and SW Kenyon St, across a wetland pathway, over a retrofitted pedestrian bridge approximately 8' wide x 16–20' long across Longfellow Creek, then uphill along a sidewalk adjacent to a Natural Drainage System. This pathway is used extensively by students traveling to local middle and high schools. The project timeline includes artist selection in November/December 2018, design development beginning February 2019, 60% design completion in winter 2019, 90% design in spring 2019, construction start in spring 2020, and project completion in winter 2021. An artist will be selected and contracted in late January 2019.