(WSB photos. Above, artist Lezlie Jane, with former City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen)

It’s been years in the making – in this WSB story from five years ago, for example, you’ll find a mention of sculptural art planned at what is now Junction 47, as part of the “public benefits” required for the City Council to grant an alley vacation for the two-building megaproject. Tonight, community advocates and neighbors gathered to celebrate what was eventually created and installed – prolific local artist Lezlie Jane‘s 10 panels telling West Seattle stories, including that of our area’s First People:

With the panel honoring the Duwamish, we photographed Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen and Ken Workman. Tonight’s gathering included a walking tour and cake from Bakery Nouveau:

The Junction Neighborhood Organization and West Seattle Junction Association, both involved in advocacy throughout the planning of the development as well as its public benefits, co-hosted tonight’s gathering.

(From left, JuNO’s René Commons, WSJA’s Susan Melrose, JuNO’s Abdy Farid, past JuNO leader Erica Karlovits)

You can go see Jane’s artwork any time, on the southeast corner of California and Alaska – view and learn about each of the 39-inch-tall panels via this section of her website.