Murals of Seattle
This Exploration Guide for students in high school sketches out the rich and changing world of Seattle murals, the artists who created them, and the role of murals in city life. You may just be inspired to design and create your own!
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Why Murals? | The Art Assignment, PBS Digital Studios
Murals have been important in many cultures throughout history, but the past century has brought shifts in where and for whom they are created. View this short video to find out the history of murals, particularly that of “modern murals.” Why are murals important, and what is the role of public art in our culture?
View Why Murals? | The Art Assignment, PBS Digital Studios -
Muralist Art and Activism in Washington's Latino Community | HistoryLink
The Muralist Art Movement of the 1960s and 1970s documented the history of the Chicano/Latino community, as well as their desire for positive social change. Read this article to learn about some of the prominent Chicano muralists in our state. What were some of the important influences on their work?
View Muralist Art and Activism in Washington's Latino Community | HistoryLink -
A Map of 22 of Seattle's Most Iconic Murals and the Stories Behind Them | The Evergrey
Explore this website from 2018 to learn about some of Seattle’s murals, including the SODO Track, a two-mile-long stretch of murals along the light rail corridor. And don’t miss the links in each description for information about the diverse artists and how the murals were made. How has the SODO Track changed since this piece was published?
View A Map of 22 of Seattle's Most Iconic Murals and the Stories Behind Them | The Evergrey -
Murals Aplenty | Visit Seattle
Here is another great collection of murals from around the city! Some of the murals (and other types of public art) around the city were paid for by the city’s “1% for art” tax on capital projects. Do you think this is a good use of taxpayer money?
View Murals Aplenty | Visit Seattle -
Public Art at Seattle Center | Seattle Center
Check out this website to see the many pieces of public art at the Seattle Center. Be sure to look for the glass mosaic mural by Paul Horiuchi, the mural section on a chunk of the Berlin Wall, and the China Mural made of ceramics. Which of the many artworks is your favorite, and why?
View Public Art at Seattle Center | Seattle Center -
Origami Murals | Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii
We often think of murals as flat paintings on the side of a wall, but this webpage shows three-dimensional origami “relief murals” created for Seattle’s International District Station. What other kinds of 3-D art might lend themselves to a mural format? How do murals connect to the time and place where they exist?
View Origami Murals | Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii -
Never Again is Now Mural Time-lapse | Densho
This lightning-speed video shows the installation of a mural with a simple but powerful message on a building at a busy Seattle intersection. How do the identities of the artist and collaborating organization Densho contribute to the power of the message?
View Never Again is Now Mural Time-lapse | Densho -
Speakeasy Murals | Seattle Artifacts Imgur
Sometimes murals are covered over and forgotten. Learn about murals that were recently discovered in the International District during a building renovation. What do the murals convey about Seattle and building history? Sometimes walls really can talk!
View Speakeasy Murals | Seattle Artifacts Imgur -
The Color and Shape of Seattle’s Heart | Real Change News
Artist Elise Tissot Storey, who created art during the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice protests, said: “[Art] make[s] us feel that we live in beauty and I think that is a real necessity for humanity.” Why does she feel that way, and do you agree with her? What would a world without art be like?
View The Color and Shape of Seattle’s Heart | Real Change News -
Murals Transform Seattle's Boarded Up Businesses | KUOW
Many small businesses have had to board up their windows while they closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists have stepped in to decorate the plywood with colorful art and messages of inspiration. What messages do you see in the art? If you could design a mural for a storefront, what would you include in your design?
View Murals Transform Seattle's Boarded Up Businesses | KUOW