The Burien Signal Box Art Project was completed this week, with ten wonderful, beautiful new installations on what used to be drab, gray metal utility boxes located around B-Town.
The ten new pieces are meaningful, colorful and engaging for motorists and pedestrians, and the artwork speaks of Burien identity, cultural character, and community pride.Â
The Signal Box Art project, funded by the City of Burien Art from its Public Places Fund, includes ten signal boxes (the metal boxes used to control traffic signals) up and down 1st Ave South and Ambaum Blvd. SW. The signal boxes were wrapped with vinyl prints created from the artwork of ten Burien and Seattle Artists. More than 30 artists submitted 72 pieces of art, which were then juried by the Arts Commission and community members.
The wraps were produced and installed by Pope Brand Media at the end of October, and bring many different artists’ styles to the community, from historical imagery to landscapes and portraits.
“Art in Public Places projects work to bring art to the Burien community,” organizers said. “Public art can provide a sense of identity and understanding of where we live, work, and visit—creating memorable experiences for all, as well as beautifying a location and making a city more livable.”
This is the first of three planned signal box art projects to be completed. More art will be brought into Burien neighborhoods over the next few years.
Below are photos (courtesy Maureen Hoffmann), along with artists’ names, installation locations, titles and descriptions of their fantastic works:
Amaranta Sandys — SW 152nd Street and 1st Ave. South: Lolita Luchadora, An Indisputable Soul
“Lolita Luchadora” sometimes viewed as a “superwoman,” symbolizes the many tasks mothers, teachers, artists and nurses accomplish on a daily basis, and how they are role models for children and youth by leading by example.
www.artmaranth.org.
Peter Christenson— SW 156th  Street & 1st Ave. South: Urban Camouflage
Raymond Fernandez — SW 143rd Street & 1st Ave. South: Kid ParallelÂ
Morgan Bak — SW 128th Street & 1st Ave. South: Lady on Fire
Shannan Folino — SW 146th Street & Ambaum Blvd. SW: The Far Shore
Maureen Hoffmann — SW 124th Street & Ambaum Blvd. SW: World Textiles
Representing the diversity of Burien through the imagery of traditional textiles. www.RedRedCircle.com
Ted Larson — SW 128th Street an&d Ambaum Blvd. SW: The Toonerville Trolley
A playful, mash-up reference to the historical Lake Burien Railway service that ran along Ambaum Boulevard SW. The small train ran from 1912 to 1929. It carried passengers from Burien to White Center in Seattle. Memorable disruptions to service were caused by caterpillars on the rails and winter ice. www.tedlarsonart.com
Vikram Madan — SW 122nd Street & Ambaum Blvd. SW: Contemplation
Brett Piper — SW 148th Street & Ambaum Blvd. SW: Gunther’s Observation Tree
Observation tower near one end of The Lake Burien Railroad (a.k.a. The Galloping Goose) www.brettpiperstudio.com
Jake Prendez — SW 116th Street & Ambaum Blvd. SW: Mujeres Fuertes
“Mujeres Fuertes” (Strong Women) represent women and the arts, the environment and love in all its forms. www.jakeprendez.com
For more information, click here.]]>
