Our 2023-2024 Public Art Project: Spatial Justice

“Feeding our Communities is Healing our Communities.”

All people have the right to access and receive socially valued resources* such as food, water, and medicines. As we explore this defining foundation of Spatial Justice, we recognize the importance of Humanity. By centering Humanity and the importance of caring for our communities, we have to consider the multi-faceted nature of our communities. People are just one side. We also connect with the environment in its provision of food from land and sea, animals to pollinate, and medicine from plants heal. Nature provides these resources, but what do we provide for it? Caring for this ecosystem means giving back to it, just as it gives to us and taking care of it as it takes care of us. As you explore this mural, we ask you to reflect on these questions and consider what forms of action you can take to Feed and Heal your communities.

How have you been fed by your communities?
What does reciprocity in your communities mean to you?
What actions can you take to give back to your communities?

2023

This mural was designed and painted by a team of Coyote Central young artists. With the leadership of teaching artist Marisol Ortega and assistance of teaching artist Aaron Pozos, they researched the issues of food insecurity and food access as they relate to the people who live in the neighborhoods of Lake City and Bitter Lake.

2024

A vinyl re-creation of the mural has been installed at the Bitter Lake Community center, with the physical mural to be installed at the Lake City-Bitter Lake Farmers Market. After that, another group of young people will bring the mural to life using Augmented Reality (AR) with the support and guidance of Future Arts.

Come back to visit this spot in June 2024 to see the next phase of this artwork!

*Socially valued resources are a defining feature of Spatial Justice - https://olmstednow.org/an-introduction-to-spatial-justice/.

This project is funded by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and supported by the Lake City Farmers Market and Bitter Lake Community Center.

Special thanks to herbalist Rachael Witt for medicinal plant photos and information. Click on the photos below for information about each plant.