UW News

May 25, 2011

Sound transit looking for artists, holding open houses

Light rail service on North Link that goes through the University District may be several years away, but Sound Transit is already beginning to think about art. A lead artist will be hired for each of the three North Link Stations — Brooklyn (U District), Roosevelt and Northgate. The artists chosen will work hand in hand with the architects and engineers to produce unique works of art that will be integrated into the station. Depending on the number of art opportunities at the station, additional artists may be hired as final design progresses.

Sound Transit is about to begin a phased process to select lead artists for the Brooklyn and Roosevelt stations. Over the next several weeks, a nationwide open call for artists will be issued. Selection of the Northgate Station lead artist will be later this year. Anyone interested should sign up for notices of art opportunities.

Artists will be selected by a panel of artist and design professionals as well as community representatives. Sound Transit staff is working with key stakeholders to identify community representatives to serve on each station’s artist selection panel. The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs will also be represented on the selection panel.

More information about Sound Transit’s STart Public Art Program is available online.

Meanwhile, anyone interested in the stations has a chance to see current designs and give their input on plans for each North Link light rail station. Open houses are scheduled for:

Roosevelt Station: May 26
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center Gymnasium
6535 Ravenna Avenue NE, Seattle

Brooklyn Station: June 9
Hotel Deca Grand Ballroom
4507 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Seattle

The open houses run between 6 and 8:30 p.m., with a presentation starting at 6:30 p.m.

The open house for Northgate Station was held May 17. The presentation materials for that meeting are available in the North Link document library.