The State of Public Art in Spokane

Before I start this post, I have to put out a few disclaimers. I am all about Spokane and how wonderful it is. I wouldn’t have started this blog if it weren’t so. Also, I was just in Boise, Idaho for Treefort Fest and spent a bit of time walking around the main downtown area. The contrast is real intense from there to here on this topic. Downtown Boise is more than a few strides ahead of us when it comes to public art. Down there public art is fun, diverse, fresh and out in the open for everyone to see. Lastly, when I use the term “public art” I’m narrowing that mostly into “murals.” Spokane has a wonderful collection of fantastic sculpture through Riverfront park and some new pieces popping up in Kendall Yards. For the purpose of this post, I’m going to refer more specifically to murals. And this is by no means a comprehensive look at the murals that exist, there are plenty we didn’t capture.

The cleanest murals in Spokane can be found in Hillyard. What?

Downtown Spokane is actually pretty full of art. Unfortunately, it’s graffitied over, covered with years of dirt or just faded by the sun. For some strange reason, the neighborhood of Hillyard (known to be one of the lowest income neighborhoods) keeps up their public art better than the downtown core. I’m sure there is some reason for this. But, should there be? Shouldn’t more attention be given to keep public art in downtown Spokane clean and fresh?

Vintage Advertisements

At one time in this city’s history, companies used to prolifically advertise on the sides of buildings. Remnants are flecked all across the brick buildings downtown. This contributes to Spokane’s old world charm and the reminder of it’s history. I love these and consider them public art just as much as anything. I love that they are left alone to wear down as time passes and create a contrast between old and new.

As in times past, advertising can do a lot for public art and we’ve seen that this past year. Global Credit Union has chosen to take their money and platform to bring beauty to Spokane AND support local artists. Why not kill several birds with one stone?

Where the sun don’t shine

Don’t get me wrong…I love the train underpass murals. Even the Marmot one. But something I realized recently when the Spokane Arts Commission posted their call for proposals to redo them is that THE main place murals are cultivated downtown is in these underpasses. In the dark, where people don’t walk much and even if they do, it’s dark! As an artist, when my creation gets placed somewhere with very little visibility, it’s the opposite of motivating. Again, I’m sure there’s a financial or political reason for this…but should there be? If we really care about art and artists, shouldn’t we have some real showpiece murals? Where citizens and tourists walk and where the light of day illuminates them?

Spokane all over Spokane

We already live here. We know the Red Wagon, the Gondola, the Clock Tower. It would be awesome to see things get mixed up a bit. More nature, portraits, abstract designs, typography! In the art world, a mural of remnants of the worlds fair is not going to be cutting edge on any level…local, regional or national. Let’s take the driver’s seat here. Be cutting edge, inspire each other and the world with what WE do. What a about a bold/fun type mural of our city slogan? If we want to “advertise” who we are, let’s at least be creative about it.

Can it be better?

Hell yes. The whole mission of Collect is to show how many amazingly talented artists live right here. There is no shortage of talent in any genre of art here. There’s no reason why this aspect of our city should be lacking even in the slightest. And there’s no reason why our mural art shouldn’t reflect our current artists and their talents.

Let’s do this. Together.

YOU, the artist.
Like I mentioned before, The Spokane Arts Commission is calling for proposals to redo some of the train underpasses. Thank heavens. This summer we will see some fresh bright paint. Are you an artist? SUBMIT! They pay well and it benefits the city.

Another exciting development that’s being started by some incredible local artists (including Tiffany Patterson) is the SUMAC Project (Spokane Urban Mural Artist Collaboration). I’m over the moon excited to see what is happening with this. It’s all been pretty discreet so far, but I believe more info is coming soon that we will follow up with. For now, follow them and save up some money to throw their way so more murals start popping up in Spokane.

YOU, the citizen.
Are you a business owner? Do you work in a building? Do you have a favorite local business? Start the conversation. Is there a blank wall somewhere? What would it look like to commission a piece of art for it? Could it benefit the business and the artists? You’d be surprised how much power you can have as an individual to get the ball rolling.

Why?
If you are already reading Collect, you know why. Art is good. It’s good for the city, the people in it. It’s good for the economy. It draws people out of their shells. It motivates community growth and expression. Public art creates pride, it engages young people. It makes high school students decide to stay HERE for college. Or college students to search for employment here. In the least it makes people look up, smile, wonder. Why would you eat plain bread all your life when you could eat flavorful food? Our senses need to be engaged for life to be beautiful.

Again, follow these folks…

SUMAC PROJECT

And submit to redo an underpass mural…