By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The breezeway of South Seattle College‘s central Robert Smith Building used to be a blank, bleak passageway through a space framed by unadorned concrete.

Not any more.

Now the college’s first mural “We Carry the Light, We Carry the Sky” graces the walls on both sides, even wrapping around the corners beyond. The mural painted by more than 100 students, staff, and community members was at the heart of a noontime celebration today. It was described as more than a “wall decoration … a radical reimagining” of the hopes and dreams of all who comprise the college’s community.

SSC’s dean of arts, humanities and social sciences Dr. Eileen Jimenez emceed the courtyard event, introducing Seattle Colleges tribal liaison Willard Bill Jr. of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for a welcome with drumming and singing:

Muralist Toka Valu told the two stories depicted by the mural – one about the coyote carrying fire, the other about collaborating to lift the sky:

Scott Mexcal, SSC art faculty and instructor for the mural class, described the mural as a “seed” that grew “a lot bigger than ever dreamed.” It depicts “what makes us, us,” he observed, “a community in which 80 primary languages are spoken.”

He also called it something befitting “the gateway for the larger community into the intimacy of our learning community.” And so it received a grand unveiling – curtains of gold tinsel draped over it, removed to reveal the panels:

You can see the mural any time by visiting the campus; it’s steps away from the SSC ballot box, among other landmarks. And if you want to support the creation of more murals – this one is envisioned as the first of seven – you can help with a fundraiser by donating here.