Community Murals
North Seattle College started its mural program under President Mark Mitsui in 2014 and it continues today. With the support of the Art Council and wider campus community, the art department and many talented students have brought these vibrant murals to life on North's walls. With each new mural brings a renewed focus celebrating our iconic campus architecture, cultural diversity of our students, staff, community, and our place on indigenous land.
For each mural project, students in Kelda Martensen's ART 204: Mural Art course are teamed up with the design of a professional artist. Students learn the ins and outs of painting public art murals, from budgets and schematics, to paint application and preservation. For more information on the mural course, as well as other art department offerings, visit: NSC's Art Program page.
2021 NSC Mural
The NSC Art Council reviewed the mural call submissions, and Paige Pettibon's design has been chosen for the 2021 campus mural. The mural call sought an Indigenous Artist to create a design that would center our Indigenous student and staff population. Pettibon is an artist based in Tacoma, and her studio practice highlights the perspectives of Indigenous folks and their relations. In step with the mural call, her goal for the mural was to create a design that creates a sense of pride and respect for the land we occupy. Pettibon is black, white, and Salish, from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Pettibon's design will be painted by students in ART 204 Mural Art, led by instructor Kelda Martensen.
We are thrilled to have worked with Pettibon for this year's mural, which was strategically placed to welcome our community members who enter in from the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge spanning I-5. With the guidance of the Art Council and community members across campus including those representing the Indigenous Student Alliance, Office of EDI, Instructional Faculty, Staff, Students and Administrators in Student Services and Student Life, and Instruction, as well as the amazing Facilities team for their assistance in making this project possible, our students will bring this vibrant design to life on North's walls. You can listen to Pettibon's visiting artist lecture as part of the North Seattle College Art Gallery programming.
Thank you to the NSC Art Council and NSC 50th Anniversary Planning Committee for supporting this fantastic project!
Painted by the students of ART 204: Mural Art: Maxine Chaney, Kún Jádaas, Chris Jameson, Rachael Keith, Andy Lilliston, Daphne Maiden, Sydney Mayer, Dylan Most, Elizabeth Prentice, Carrie Stafford, Ixtlixochitl Salinas White-Hawk and Vanessa Wilmot.
Designed by Paige Pettibon and Led by Kelda Martensen. Timelapse editing and additional painting support by Grant Robinson. Timelapse Music by Tyler Potts.
About the Designer
Paige Pettibon is a local and Indigenous artist based in Tacoma, Washington. Her medium focus is acrylic painting, but has extended to fiber art, beadwork, and other media. Paige is black, white, and Salish (from the Confederated Salish and Kootenei Tribes). Paige is influenced by her native northwest community by learning the Lushootseed language, tribal songs, dances and traditions.
Past Community Murals
