A new public art initiative will bring multiple murals and an artist market to Ballard this May.
The inaugural Brewery District Mural Week is a multi-year mural arts effort aimed at connecting local artists with property owners, businesses, and organizations in the neighborhood. Organizer Aaron Asis—whose name you may recognize from the wildly popular Firestone Project—says the initiative is intended to support improvements in the Brewery District over the coming years while strengthening relationships through the arts.
The inaugural mural week will feature four murals created simultaneously, along with a fifth “surprise” satellite mural planned a few blocks away. Work is scheduled to begin on May 11.
Participating artists include Stevie Shao, They Drift, B Line Dot, and Craig Cundiff, with an additional artist to be announced.
Murals are planned for the following locations:
- 950 NE Leary — Stevie Shao
- 1415 NW 52nd Street — They Drift
- 4612 NW Leary Way — B Line Dot
- Bay Auto, 5015 14th Ave — Craig Cundiff
- A fifth site has not yet been announced
The week will conclude with an Artist Market and Community Open House on Saturday, May 16, from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Firestone Project, located at 1145 NW Market Street. The indoor event will include artwork for sale from local artists, information from Ballard organizations and nonprofits, and live painting, including six interior murals. A community painting project is also planned as part of the event.
The Firestone Project is an artist-led public art initiative focused on activating vacant buildings and exploring how art can shape the future of the city. The project currently features work from more than 40 local artists.
Brewery District Mural Week was created by Asis, with support from the Office of Councilmember Dan Strauss and members of the Ballard community.
Photo: A muralist works on the Firestone Project (Courtesy Films About Artists)