WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Center for Active Living’s community open house and mural preview

That’s a peek at part of the mural that will soon wrap around the Center for Active Living – debuting tonight at the center’s Community Open House. You can talk to artist Brady Black, who has examples of his other work too:

The mural will wrap around the front and side of the center, facing California and Oregon, and will include images of members. Meantime, inside the center at 4217 SW Oregon, you can also find out about its programs (more than 40 offered every week) and its “well-kept secret” restaurant, Margie’s Café (which you can visit even if you’re not one of the center’s 1,300+ members):

Amy Lee Derenthal is the center’s executive director:

The open house is on until 8, and then the center remains open until 10 pm for an ’80s dance party – free admission, live DJ, beverages (beer, wine, nonalcoholic) available for purchase.

P.S. Whether you stop by tonight or not – as we mentioned a few days ago, the center is welcoming new volunteers!

oerthehillz August 8, 2024 (10:01 pm)

Really a fun place to be part of. So many volunteer opportunities and wonderful classes and dining options. Can’t wait to see the mural created by a very deserving talented artist.

MrsPeekaboo August 9, 2024 (8:56 am)

OK. Is this marketing gone mad? Who is the target? The new name is bad enough. Could’ve been so much more fun. You know, The Wisdom Center, or Old Growth, or something. It really didn’t need changing in the first place. I like the artist’s work, but this is so garish and doesn’t fit the Junction vibe. It looks like an orange juice pavilion. Yikes, who will this attract? p.s. AND I AM A MEMBER!!!!

Ken August 9, 2024 (10:52 am)

@ MRSPEEKABOO: Agree! 100%. The mural definitely doesn’t fit the Junction atmosphere.
Old Joe August 9, 2024 (11:14 am)

The target would seem to be people who are aging and want to be regarded as active, who don’t consider themselves to be “senior citizens.” People in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and up are out in the world doing things and living active, full lives – resources like this need to grow and provide programs that meet the needs of the “modern aged.” I like the mural – it has a nice vibe and provides some color to a rather dreary block. Or perhaps you’d like a more dour scene of folks in rocking chairs, painted in shades of brown and beige?
k August 9, 2024 (11:22 am)

I don’t know what either of you are talking about and I’m glad you weren’t in charge of picking the mural. The Junction is a fun, vibrant place that brings people together and this mural encapsulates that perfectly. I’d hate to think of what kind of mural you think the Junction needs. People sitting down, solemnly staring at the trees, painted in drab shades of soviet grey, perhaps?
- MrsPeekaboo August 9, 2024 (12:40 pm)
  
  I don’t want to see anybody’s frozen-in-time representation of what I am supposed to look or be like as a “senior.” Total turn-off. And the citrus colors were ‘modern’ when, exactly? Give us something open to interpretation, not a picture of all the “Happy People Inside!” Actually, come to think of it, I’d smile every time I drove past it, if it said that. How about a mural of words and a better color palette?
  - k August 9, 2024 (1:10 pm)
    
    I don’t see any of what you described in this mural and I don’t have any issue with the colors; I actually like that they’re not specific to any particular era but simply evoke a sense of joy. I’m terribly sorry that you will not be able to find joy in a mural that I’m sure will bring that exact thing to so many in the Junction, and I wish you the best on working through your present mental blocks with regard to color and fun.

Highland Park neighbor August 9, 2024 (1:55 pm)

I love the mural design and the color scheme! The colors are sunny and happy and vibrant, just what we need in our little slice of life here. Thank you to Brady Black, the artist, and I am excited to see this project succeed.

OldandCrotchety August 10, 2024 (5:38 pm)

I am a member at the moment, but I agree with @ MRSPEEKABOO – the design is garish. I am not sure I would ever walk in the door with that design plastered all over the exterior. And for the record, I don’t like the new name either. It is a Senior Center, funded in part by a public senior center program. The prior name said it all, and normal exterior wall paint sans murals would be just fine with me.

wsresident August 11, 2024 (8:23 am)

Wow. That is hideous.

David Kerlick August 11, 2024 (8:55 am)

I’m a member, too, and the ballyhooed name change omitted important information (1) its targeted audience 50+ and (2) its location West Seattle. Names are supposed to inform!

Nitro August 11, 2024 (9:02 pm)

David, I agree about the name. I would not have guessed that this was the West Seattle Senior Center. I understand wanting to promote active living and vibrancy for individuals 50+, but I think a lot of the target audience not familiar with the center will not realize who this entity is serving due to the name.

Wondering August 12, 2024 (2:09 pm)

Colors are awful, and all the way across the front of the building? Uh-uh. Maybe on the side and the rear, and have something complimentary but not as “in your face” for the front? How many were on the committee to select the mural, and what were their ages?

Wondering August 12, 2024 (2:10 pm)

Oh wait! At second glance, I see it IS the rear and side…..I take back what I wrote before…. Still don’t like the color scheme though.

JK August 12, 2024 (2:19 pm)

The center has been hidden far too long! I absolutely love the mural and how lucky to have such a talented artist engage in brightening up a ho-hum corner of the junction!

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