Video: Harbor Island People for the Environment celebrate beautification milestone

Murals now grace the side of an otherwise-gritty Harbor Island warehouse, which local workers have turned into a spot with splashes of beauty, offering an oasis in the midst of an industrial zone. We first reported on the project two weeks ago – then, after the murals’ installation, it was celebrated at an event this past Friday afternoon. The murals were created by youth through Urban ArtWorks. Beneath them are container gardens with drought-tolerant plants – and cisterns to hold rainwater to irrigate them when needed:

During Friday afternoon’s ceremony, members of the self-described “grass-roots committee” that made this all happen, Harbor Island People for the Environment, spoke about what they’ve done, and also introduced most of the young artists. We got it all on video:

Also speaking at the ceremony, James Rasmussen, a longtime Duwamish Tribe leader who also works for the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. He talked about not only the site’s history as Duwamish land – tideflats before they were filled – but also about the meaning of the site beautification/cleanup in view of Harbor Island’s environmental challenges:

HIPE members said they hope to liven up the space with food vendors and other things to create a gathering place for workers and visitors – and they plan on more projects in the future. Fittingly, one of the murals celebrates the idea of looking ahead:

You can find the site by heading toward Vigor Shipyards on the north end of Harbor Island, and looking for the blue warehouse at 13th SW/SW Florida (here’s a map).

3 Replies to "Video: Harbor Island People for the Environment celebrate beautification milestone"

  • AJP June 4, 2012 (7:08 pm)

    Beautiful artwork! I’ll have to take my daughter down to have a look at them sometime!

  • Down In Delridge June 4, 2012 (9:16 pm)

    On my list of places and things to see. Thank you good people of Harbor Island!

  • Joyce Mauk June 7, 2012 (2:05 pm)

    I love the art! Thank you
    Harbor Island, artists
    Emily Charlotte Taibleson and Kevin

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