Artist Maureen Hoffmann seeking traditional fabrics for signal box 'wrap'

Local Artist Maureen Hoffmann is seeking traditional, heritage fabrics for an artistic “wrap” of a signal box that she will be creating for Burien. “As a part of Art in Public Places, the Burien Arts Commission will apply artistic “wraps” to 10 metal signal boxes that control traffic lights on 1st Avenue and Ambaum Blvd. in Burien,” Maureen told The B-Town Blog. “The whole project will be spread over 3 years and include a total of 30 boxes.” Here’s what the signal box will look like (only with different art wrapped on it): Maureen is asking for people to bring heirloom textiles or fabrics that represent your heritage to a photo session on Saturday, Sept. 8
 at the Moshier Community Art Center. Here’s more info from Maureen, along with some photo examples:

Every culture, ethnic group, geographic region… every People has their identifying traditional textiles. The fabrics may be embroidered, woven, quilted, painted, pierced or pieced. The traditional methods and motifs are passed between generations, and are recognized by members of that community. Do you have fabric pieces that represent your family and your heritage? As a part of Art in Public Places, the Burien Arts Commission will apply artistic “wraps” to 10 metal signal boxes that control traffic lights on 1st Avenue and Ambaum Blvd. in Burien. The whole project will be spread over 3 years and include a total of 30 boxes. I’ve been selected to create artwork for 1 of those signal boxes. I plan to cover the box with a mosaic of details from traditional textiles from around the world, reflecting the incredible diversity of people that call Burien home. As people walk by the signal box, they can stop to admire the array of textiles, and perhaps recognize fabric designs from their own history. (In my mockup image below, I have converted all textiles to one color as a way to unify them.) I’d love to feature fabrics provided by Burien residents if possible. Long-time resident or recent immigrant, what’s your family background? Do you have heirloom textiles that represent your heritage? Blouses, huipiles, belts, bags, quilts, embroidery, molas, batik, pojagi, obi, headpieces, appliqué, regalia, brocade, kente, saris, coats, veils, ikat, shawls, capes, tapa, tapestry, samplers, lace, crewel… Bring your fabric to be photographed:

• Saturday, Sept. 8: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Moshier Community Art Center
430 S. 156th Street
(Behind Highline High School)

I’ll be there with my camera and a note pad. All I need to do is photograph your fabric heirloom, write some notes about its history, then send it back home with you. (Not all fabrics submitted will be included, but I plan to feature as many pieces as possible.) If you have questions about my part of this project, please get in touch with me: Maureen Hoffmann: design@redredcircle.com More information about the overall Burien Signal Box Project is here.