(Photos courtesy Juan Alonso)
Students and staff returning to Chief Sealth International High School in a week and a half – and people passing by, from hereon out – will notice something new in front of the auditorium: Award-winning Seattle artist Juan Alonso‘s six “Sentinels,” just installed Friday:

The work, commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission and Seattle Public Schools, is crafted from stainless steel. Alonso explains it here (and on the explanatory plaque on site):

This is a tribute to our ancestors, to those who have passed down information to us so that we may do the same; to our teachers, those who inspire us, our heroes, our protectors, and those who create a legacy. To Chief Sealth, father figure of our city; and to my own father, whose designs inspired these sculptures and whose kindness has always been my biggest source of strength.

In the same post, Alonso shows a photo of his father with the designs to which he refers, ironwork at a home his family built in Cuba, where Alonso was born and lived till age 10. His other public work, as shown here, includes several pieces installed at White Center’s Greenbridge development. Alonso tells WSB “Sentinels” will have a public dedication during an open house at Chief Sealth the evening of October 13th.