Rainier Beach Community Art

In the words or artist Henry Luke: The Distance is a mobile mural in series focused on migration. Each piece is based on an interview with the subject, asking what are the root causes and effects of migration, and the role of migrants in ma... Read more

The Vegetable Bin is a local produce shop and Polynesian deli. The unusual architecture, by John C, Steinmann Associates of Kirkland, WA, was completed in 2005 and features an engaging roofline, presumably inspired by Polynesian culture. ...

At the entrance to the Rainier Beach LINK Station, notice the hanging metal sculpture that seems to represent a flying fish

At the Rainier Beach LINK Station, notice the textured tiles inlaid in the pavement, which runs the length of th eplatform.

A series of four weathered copper monoliths under the LINK Station shelter bear sculpted designs inspired by Mayan, Egyptian and possibly Polynesion or Pacific Island culture, natural history, human evolution and systems of measure.

The roof of the Rainier Beach LINK station platform shelter in metal and glass evokes the lifted wings of seabirds.

Windows on a utility shed at the far end of the Rainier Beach LINK station platform look into an artful arrangement of painted metal, glass and plastic objects of fanciful design.

The walls surrounding a public utility facility just south of the Elks Lodge are decorated with a series of three mosaics. This first and largest, done in glass and ceramic shards, portrays a design that includes wheels and fish.

The walls surrounding a public utility facility just south of the Elks Lodge are decorated with a series of three mosaics. The second, done primarily in glass, has a floral design.

The walls surrounding a public utility facility just south of the Elks Lodge are decorated with a series of three mosaics. The third, a collection of wheels made of metal cut into shapes and painted red, orange, black and white, hangs upon ... Read more

Decorating the bus shelter at Henderson and Martin Luther King Jr Way is a photograph by Jennifer Smith.

One of many P-Patches throught the city supported by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, there is usually something verdant and beautiful to look at here.

The upper walls of the shelter are enclosed in glass etched in patterns that evoke wind and waves, while the lower metal panels are cut out and painted in a series of designs that suggest an urban nature hike. The elaborate metal sculpture ... Read more

The many trees filling the transit plaza at Henderson and Martin Luther King Jr Way have their roots protected by heavy metal grates cut in a foliage pattern.

The centerpiece of the transit plaza at Henderson and Martin Luther King Jr Way is a large metal sculpture that resembles a group of marine buoys or floats roped together with cable.

The glass walls of this shelter are etched in a wave pattern, while the lower, metal panels have been cut-out and painted to suggest both maritime and woodland themes. The elaborate metal sculpture on the roof appears distinctly nautical. ...

This distinctly nautical sign in blue and white welcomes residents and visitors alike to the Rainier Beach neighborhood.

The outdoor seating area at Jude's Old Town Rainier Beach restaurant on 57th at Rainier is elaborately decked-out with metal and glass sculpture, found objects and a riot of colorful plants.

A colorful, hand-made cabinet has been fashioned as a "Community Pantry" and affixed to the fence outside the Rainier Art Center, where those that have more than they need can share with those who have less.

A stylized red wing blackbird has been painted on the metal wall of the Redwing Cafe.

The front yard of a private residence at Waters Avenue and Fletcher street has been lavishly landscaped and sports a rustic river stone wall. Visitors, please remain on the sidewalk to respect the owners' privacy.

Within the landscaped traffic island at the convergence of Waters, 57th and Fletcher is a large carved marble monument "Honoring all who served, and dedicated to the everlasting memory of these from Rainier Beach who made the supreme sacrif... Read more

A plaque dedicated to the memory of Seaman Ray Ormond West, USN, who served in the Korean War, is set into the lawn of the traffic island at the intersection of Waters, 57th and Fletcher.

A tubular steel bike rack in the stylized shape of a bicycle adorns the sidewalk along Rainier Avenue at Waters Avenue.

An interpretive sign obscured by algae and moss discusses thesalmon habitat restoration that this small and secluded waterfront park has undergone in recent years.

This nautical-themed sign in blue and white welcomes residents and visitors alike to the Rainier Beach Neighborhood.

A large sculpture in tinted, textured concrete with inlaid glass sits in the landscaped corner at Rainier and Seward Park Avenue. This piece was likely created by the same artist responsible for similar sculptures elsewhere in the neighborh... Read more

A small oasis of green is lushly planted at the corner of Rainier Avenue and Seward Park Avenue.

Hanging from the street light poles around the intersection of Henderson Street and 46th Avenue is a collection of colorful banners bearing portraits of local, senior-aged gardeners. Community gardens, p-patches, and private gardens are vib... Read more

From the path through the Rainier Beach Playfield one can see two wall murals hanging from Dunlap Elementary. This first one sits beneath an overhanging roof and includes the words "Respect, Responsibility and Safety".

From the path through the Rainier Beach Playfield one can see two wall murals hanging from Dunlap Elementary. This second one shows representations of inspiring people throught history.

From the path through the Rainier Beach Playfield one can see a series of four brightly painted planters along a walkway outside Dunlap Elementary.

From the path through the Rainier Beach Playfield one can see Miya Sukune's Feast, a series of colorfully painted aluminum cutouts hanging from a fence that were inspired by comfort foods of the Rainier Valley. This work is part of Seattle'... Read more

Hanging from a brightly-painted wooden arch along Cloverdale Street in front of the Dunlap Elementary parking lot is another piece that is part of Seattle's Art Interruptions project. Artist Susan Ringstad Emery's Going Places - Rainier Val... Read more

As part of Seattle's Art Interruptions project, local artist Karey Kessler installed a collection of colorful adhesive graphics on sidewalks along 46th Avenue starting here at Cloverdale and continuing north to Kenyon St. A Path of Wonderme... Read more

Hanging from the NW Tap Connection building and visible from Rainier Avenue is a large, energetic mural by L.C. Pitre titled after a quote by Alice Walker.

In a small garden and play area around a corner and between buildings at the NW Tap Connection is a second wall mural.

The lower wall panels of the bus shelter on the northbound side of Rainier Avenue just south of Cloverdale display a collection of several murals. The mural facing the sidewalk behind the shelter bears the phrase "Most of us had a child way... Read more

Along Henderson Street, a handsome arch is formed between colorful light poles by the sign announcing the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center on the grounds of Rainier Beach H.S.

Hanging from a wall of the Rainier Beach High School near the building entrance to the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center is a colorful mural with multicultural elements inspiring Viking school spirit.

Colorful, creative architectural elements frame the entrance to the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center at Rainier Beach High School.

The telephone pole on the northwest corner of Seward Park Avenue and Henderson St supports three artworks at street level, the first of which is a mosaic of tile and glass in blues, greens and grays.

The utility pole on the northwest corner of Seward Park Avenue and Henderson St supports three artworks at street level, the second of which is a collection of silk flowers in reds, yellows and orange.

The traffic island bounded by Rose Street and Wabash Avenue at Rainier supports a well-used plaza with tables and chairs arrayed on colorfully painted concrete and protected from traffic by heavy planters.

The pocket park at Rainier and Rose is embellished with a series of seven tall, metal poles that each support a different small, metal sculpture at their top.

The pocket park at Rainier and Rose includes a large, textured and tinted concrete sculpture inlaid with glass, likely created by the same artist responsible for similar sculptures elsewhere in the neighborhood.

The bus shelter at the intersection of Rainier Avenue, Rose and Wabash is decorated on all sides with a series of painted panels that depict people and cultures on continents well reflected in the heritage of Rainier Valley residents, inclu... Read more

In front of the Rose Street Apartments along Rainier Avenue are three steel bike racks formed in the shape of stylized bicycles.

Both the north and south corner entrances to the shops below the Rose Street Apartment building are decorated with painted designs on the walkways and metal shapesmounted on the walls, all in the form of rose flowers.

The main, central entrance to the shops below the Rose Street Apartment building on Rainier Avenue is adorned with a painted rose-flower design on the walkway that is echoed in metal sculptures hanging on either side of the doorway, all of ... Read more

As part of the city's Rainier Traffic Safety Project, two similar decals with white figures sketched on a blue background adorn a traffic signal cabinet by the Rainier Avenue crosswalk at Rose St. Designed by Anne Hayden Stevens, both image... Read more

Simple but colorful pavement paintings decorate the parking lot adjacent the Ethiopian Community in Seattle building at the corner of Rainier Avenue and Rose Street.

The bush shelter on Rainier Avenue south of Rose Street is decorated with paintings by young artists with the Rainier Beach Transit Justice Youth Corps. Collectively titled "Where the World Calls Home", the paintings include the work of Tan... Read more

A colorful sign and painting of the flag of Ethiopia adorn the entrance to the Ethiopian Community in Seattle community center building on Rainier Avenue.

One of the many artisic signs in a nautical style of white on blue painted metal welcome residents and visitors alike to the Rainier Beach community.

A series of colorful banners depicting local themes hang from street light poles along Henderson Street from Renton Avenue to Seward Park Avenue.

Embedded into the plaza at the Henderson Street entrance to the Mapes 52nd Avenue S Walkway is the representation of a pool by Mary Cross. The artwork is designed to evoke the presence of Mapes Creek, which runs through an underground pipe ... Read more

On either side of the plaza at the Henderson Street entrance to the Mapes 52nd Avenue S Walkway are concrete and tile mosaics depicting faces, branches and leaves. This one, mounted to a low wall on the east side of the plaza, is presented... Read more

On either side of the plaza at the Henderson Street entrance to the Mapes 52nd Avenue S Walkway are concrete and tile mosaics depicting faces, branches and leaves. This one, mounted to a low wall on the east side of the plaza, is presented... Read more

The lower inside panel of this bus shelter features a black and white image portraying a close-up view of a horse's face by photographer Jennifer Burke.

The brick wall of this wastewater pump station, visible from the sidewalk, has been carved into a large, fanciful frieze depicting humans interacting with each other and other animals.

A mosaic in colorful glass and ceramic tile has been mounted to a utility pole on the southwest corner of Henderson and Seward Park Avenue.

A series of four different banners hang from light poles around the main gated entrance to the Lake Washington Apartments, welcoming residents to the community.

A series of colorful banners depicting local themes hang from street light poles along Henderson Street from Seward Park Avenue to Renton Avenue.

A series of colorful banners depicting local themes hang from street light poles along Seward Park Avenue from Henderson Street to Rainier Avenue.

A series of colorful banners depicting local themes hang from street light poles along Seward Park Avenue from Rainier Avenue to Henderson Street.

The building housing the restroom facilities at the Atlantic Boat Ramp is executed in cinder block and steel in a simple but striking modern style, and features metal doors with cut-out letters denoting gender-specific stalls.

"Gyre", a stunning modern sculpture created by John Grade in 2014, is executed in stainless steel with cedar reclaimed from a decomissioned bridge in the city's Cedar River Watershed preserve.

This walking bridge, crossing the recently daylighted Mapes Creek as it runs through Be'er Sheva Park on Lake Washington, is constructed in wood and steel by Liberty Products.

This set of benches surrounding a small table is constructed of wood and steel and decorated with images drawn from nature. It was donated in honor of Ms. Schroeter, a past president of the Seattle Beer Sheva Sister City Committee, by frien... Read more

This elaborate playground equipment is locally appropriate for this site, with shoreline and wetland themes prominent in the design of the slides and climbing structures.

The restroom facilities at Be'er Sheva Park are housed in this historic stone, metal and cedar shingle building constructed by the Works Progress Administration in 1939 and 1940.

This elaborate ironwork gate with archway between Be'er Sheva Park and the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetland was designed by Jean Whitsavage and Nick Lyle. Its main elements include shapes of both wild and cultivate plants.

Ironwork markers like this can be found throughout the Urban Farm and Wetland to denote wetland areas. They were produced by Jean Whitsavage and Nick Lyle, who are also responsible for the ornate gate and archway connecting the Urban Farm w... Read more

Original construction of the Rainier Beach branch of the Seattle Public Library at this site was completed in 1981. An expansion and renovation was completed in 2004, with architecture firm Streeter and Associates responsible for the curren... Read more

A clever design feature of the main entrance to the Rainier Beach branch library is the way a river rock landscape feature outside the building, which suggest a natural creek bed, is carried through into the foyer, blurring the line between... Read more

Outside the main entrance to the Rainier Beach branch of the Seattle Public Library is a large, weathered bronze sculpture, Pursuit of Knowledge by artist Ray F. Jensen, created in 1959.

One of many colorful banners hanging from street light poles throught the neighborhood, this one displays an autumn theme.

The walls of the bus shelter on Rainier Avenue near the intersection with 51st Avenue have been painted by local artists inspired by the Black Panther Party. Like most of the bus shelters in the neighborhood, the glass walls have been etche... Read more

A large metal sculpture, suggestive of chess pieces, sits behind simple landscaping at the corner of Rainier and 51st Avenues.

A stone sculpture piece, depicting three children gathered around books, sits at the 50th Avenue entrance to the Rainier Beach library parking lot.

At the corner of Rainier and Henderson is a large landscaped courtyard that serves both the Rainier Beach Community Center and the South Shore School. The centerpiece of the plaza is a large, textured stone paver circle surrounded by modern... Read more

Along Rainier Avenue near the courtyard entrance to the Rainier Beach Community Center is a large, textured and tinted concrete sculpture inlaid with glass, likely created by the same artist responsible for similar sculptures elsewhere in t... Read more

The Rainier Beach Community Center was remodeled in 2013 and certified at the LEED 'Gold' standard in recognition of its sustainable environmental design, including the large and extensive windows that supply considerable amounts of natural... Read more

This red-painted metal sculpture in the form of a set of abstract arrows sits atop a pole along Rainier Avenue near the north parking lot entrance to the Rainier Beach Community Center.

This white-painted metal sculpture mounted atop a pole suggests a cloud in the shape of an arrow and directs visitors to the north parking lot entrance to the Rainier Beach Community Center.

A collection of several dozen paint can lids painted with images, words and phrases hang from a fence at the northwest corner of the Rainier Beach Playfield near Cloverdale Street.

Now faint with age, a peace sign is painted in white on a chain link fence near home plate of the Rainier Beach Playfield baseball diamond along Cloverdale Street.

The South Lake High School, designed by BLRB Architects, was completed in 2008.

Along the north side of Henderson Street at 48th hangs one of several mixed-media mobiles in the area. Created in several parts from painted wood, wire and found objects and suspended from a utility pole arm, these fanciful monsters were al... Read more

Along the south side of Henderson Street between 50th and Rainier hangs one of several mixed-media mobiles in the area. Created in several parts from painted wood, wire and found objects and suspended from a utility pole arm, these fanciful... Read more

Along the north side of Henderson Street at 50th hangs one of several mixed-media mobiles in the area. Created from painted wood, wire and found objects and suspended from a utility pole arm, these fanciful monsters were all apparently desi... Read more

A series of colorful banners depicting local themes hang from street light poles along Henderson Street from Renton Avenue to Seward Park Avenue.

The lower inside panel of this bus shelter features a color photograph titled Eyes Great Horned Owl Intense by Bill Frymire.

The lower wall panels of this bus shelter are painted with images reflecting multinational themes.

The lower inside panel of this bus shelter features a photograph by Jens Titterness titled Peacock.

A small, roofed structure known as a 'lychgate' frames a formal pedestrian entry point into the Rainier Beach Plaza shopping center. It is constructed of concrete, brick, metal and glass and features tiles embossed with sea shell and compas... Read more

A small, roofed structure known as a 'lychgate' frames a formal pedestrian entry point into the Rainier Beach Plaza shopping center. It is constructed of concrete, brick, metal and glass and features tiles embossed with sea shell and compas... Read more

Colorful flowers frame the lively teal and pink paint scheme at King Donuts. While the flowers are necessarily seasonal, the building is sure to lighten even the dreariest winter day in Rainier Beach.

A fanciful illustrated sign hangs on the south wall of King Donuts. Designed by local artist Janeesha Leadingfighter, it humorously confirms that, yes, it really is a donut shop and laudromat under the same roof.

By the crosswalk on Rainier in the southeast corner of the intersection at 51st Avenue hangs one of several mixed-media mobiles in the area. Created from painted wood, wire and found objects and suspended from a utility pole arm, these fanc... Read more

Almost completely obscured by shrubs, a colorful mural hangs from the wall of Hong Kong Seafood facing Rainier Avenue.

A collection of twelve large and colorful murals hang on the fence to either side of the bus shelter on the east side of Rainier at Henderson Street. These engaging pieces in a variety of media depict a range of themes, from woodland critte... Read more

Along the south side of Rainier just east of 54th Avenue hangs one of several mixed-media mobiles in the area. Created from painted wood, wire and found objects and suspended from a utility pole arm, these fanciful monsters were all apparen... Read more