The Miller Library recently issued an open call for submissions for artists to propose murals for the library’s community program room. The theme for these murals is “Growing Community.” Artists were asked to prepare sketches that convey their vision for this 120 sq. ft. mural, as well as a title and brief artist statement. These sketches should convey the artist’s ideas, but may change as the artist refines and creates the mural.
The Artist Selection Committee has narrowed the submissions to the six finalists below (arranged in alphabetical order by artist first name). Now it is your turn to vote for the mural idea you want to see at the Miller Library! The results of this voting will inform the committee’s final selection.
Voting is now closed.
This public art project was made possible by a generous grant from the West Seattle Garden Tour, as well as a partnership with the Arboretum Foundation. The West Seattle Garden Tour raises money to support local horticulture, education, and artistic endeavors. The 2024 Garden Tour will be on Sunday, June 23rd and tickets are now available.
Artist: Amanda Pearman
Title: “Literary Blooms – A Growing Community”
Artist Statement: “If chosen, I would like my mural to celebrate and honor the rich cultural and diverse heritage of the community in an impactful way to visually represent to vibrancy and history of the library and horticulture. The mural will serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and interconnectedness of the community, showcasing narratives and symbols that reflect its identity. By showcasing elements of various people in the community intertwined with horticulture and books, this mural will not only beautify the public space, but also foster a sense of pride, unity, and understanding among the people who visit it. It will stand as a powerful reminder of the value of embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity and growth within the fabric of the community, all while celebrating imagination and a sense of wonder through plants.”
Artist: Aramis Hamer
Title: “Cosmic Bloom”
Artist Statement: “Encountering this call for proposals sparked a deep excitement because of my love for nature & literature. I strive to create new narratives, using the paintbrush, that amplify marginalized voices. Seen through my use of galactic landscapes, my art is also a reflection of my deep admiration for the cosmic realm.
In my proposal for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library, themed “Growing Community,” I depict Mother Nature imparting wisdom through books, fostering imagination & connection. She’s accompanied by pollinators, like bees & butterflies, cultivating beauty & abundance for our planet. Celestial chains in her hair (akin to those I created in the letter “V” in the Capitol Hill BLM mural) remind us of our interconnectedness and the need to break free from constraints hindering progress and unity. It would be an honor to bring this idea to life for the students, staff, & visitors of University of Washington. Thank you for considering my proposal.”
Artist: Gabrielle Abbott
Title: “Northwest Mandala”
Artist Statement: “The web of life is represented by a mandala of Pacific Northwest botanicals, including flowers, fungi, and ferns. Golden, sacred geometry lines weave around and through the plants, representing the interconnectedness of all species. “Mandala” is a design term describing circular, geometric patterns with repeating or symmetrical elements. The word is originally Sanskrit and also references the sacred, circular patterns used in Buddhist traditions to aid in meditation. The Northwest Mandala could incorporate references to taxonomical structures, by grouping organisms with their closest “families” of plants. The design composition of the specific plant species and their arrangements can be developed in collaboration with the client if I am selected for this project. Additionally, I am open to tweaking certain elements (such as the background color) as long as the design stays within the framework of this initial concept.”
Artist: Michiko Tanaka
Title: “Tree of Life”
Artist Statement: “I propose to create a “tree of life” that features folk art floral designs from around the world. Each of the flowers on the tree will be a design from a different country. For example flowers taken from: Japanese woodblock prints, Mexican textiles and Islamic ceramic tiles. The piece is meant to serve as a reminder of our universal appreciation of the beauty of flowers and the different ways we depict them.”
Artist: Reve Hansen
Title: “In a Planted Place”
Artist Statement: “Humans have always been intimately interconnected with plants and have shaped the ecologies of their communities. Plants have also done this for our communities. Our ever evolving relationship with them is a primary influence in industry, technology and culture. Communal spaces that foster interaction with plants bring people together by feeding our most basic human needs.
This piece is a depiction of a landscape of plants that reflects the rich diversity of our community here in the pacific northwest. Native species historically and currently important to indigenous people and local ecology are interwoven with species introduced through the many cultures of people that make up the community. Windows derived from built environments provide a glimpse of some of the many beneficial interactions we share with plants- Sweet ephemera amidst a vast shared history.”
Artist: Tori Shao
Title: “Plants of the Puget Trough Prairie, Oak Ecosystem”
Artist Statement: “As an artist, and landscape architect, interpreting invisible systems (whether they are social, cultural, or ecological) and representing them is at the crux of both practices. Cultural art forms, folk tales, the interconnected life of an ecosystem, and actual historical narratives are consistently the inspiration for several of my pieces as they are some forms of invisible systems in our environment.
Prairies are on the of the most threatened ecosystems in Washington. While they were once common in the Puget Sound region, very few remain and are in a degraded state. Prairie vegetation is dominated by a variety of grasses and grass-like plants, wildflowers, and few trees. Prairies support a variety of flora and fauna, many of which are also threatened or endangered.
This design features several species found living growing together in community within the unique Puget Trough Prairie ecosystem, highlighting biodiversity as an allegory for community.”
