Thanks for the tips! We just caught up with West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen finishing this new signal-box portrait, on the southwest corner of California/Frontenac south of Morgan Junction. It’s a portrait of Mike Starr, original Alice in Chains bassist, who died in 2011 at age 44. Hansen estimates he’s painted about 75 boxes – in and outside of West Seattle – since starting in 2018 with Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy. You can see many of them, and some of his other work, on his website. We asked him what’s next; nothing specific yet, but he said there’s a lot of maintenance to be done this spring.

Canna West Culture Shop, a designated stop on the map (5435 California Ave SW) during each West Seattle Art Walk, this Thursday is hosting Seattle mural artist and painter Desmond Hansen from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Hansen is best known for the 60+ murals he has painted of cultural icons on Seattle’s traffic-signal boxes, but he is also an illustrator, graphic artist, and traditional canvas painter.

“I love Desmond’s work,” said Canna West Culture Shop owner Maryam Mirnateghi. “I think most of us that commute in the Seattle area have been struck by his signal box murals. Those who walk along California Avenue get to experience his murals right outside of our Culture Shop, and often enter our shop wondering who created them, and how! His talent extends beyond his amazing murals though, and I am really excited to host his artwork at the Culture Shop during this week’s Art Walk.”

Desmond will be at the Culture Shop as a party guest and to sign prints of his artwork. His signal box murals have a presence in West Seattle, with locations in Morgan Junction and at the intersection of California and Fauntleroy, a box that has become almost a signature piece for Desmond and which honors Seattle local Jimi Hendix. This week’s West Seattle Art Walk offers fans of Desmond a rare chance to not only check out more of his work and potentially buy a print for a Christmas present, but also to meet the artist and have that print signed.

Complimentary food bites from West Seattle Charcuterie, and beverages will be served. In addition, the Culture Shop is conducting a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank through December 31. Anyone who wants to donate this holiday season can drop any non-perishable food items at the Culture Shop. After-hours food donations can be deposited at Canna West Seattle, located directly across the street. The Culture Shop will only accept non-perishable food items that are unopened and in good condition.

Every time we’ve seen West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen, he’s been out along a street, in protective gear, painting a signal box. Tonight, a different setting, and some of his other work:

As previewed here earlier this week, Hansen is the featured artist tonight for the West Seattle Art Walk debut of the new West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) office at 2715 California SW. He painted a Seacrest Pier mural on the office’s north interior wall, and other creations of his are on display tonight and throughout the month – including these:

Around the corner from West Seattle Realty, we found Carla Dreams Nitkey at Good Society (2701 California SW), showing her abstract/expressionist work inspired by feng shui principles:

Three Art of Music performances enhanced tonight’s Art Walk, too – we caught part of Sarah Brunner‘s set at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):

Next month’s Art Walk is an ectra-festive holiday edition, Thursday, December 8th.

Thanks to Brandy for sending the photo! That’s West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen, working today on his newest signal-box portrait. It’s on the southwest corner of 35th and Trenton, and in case you don’t recognize the subject, we noticed in passing that the north side of the box now identifies him – Portland drummer Joe Plummer, known for his work with bands including Modest Mouse. (Added – commenter points out Plummer has Portland roots but calls West Seattle home!)

More thanks to the person who tipped us about Super Supplements‘ closure plan – they also told us West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen was painting a new signal-box mural steps away, on the northeast corner of California/Fauntleroy. His new portrait of Jimi Hendrix is on the back of the cabinet on which he painted the rock legend four years ago this month. That anniversary, he told us today, is the inspiration for the new painting. He’s since branched out far beyond West Seattle; you can see more of his work here.

Thanks to Dan Kearney for the photo. West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen painted that signal box at 35th/Henderson, just north of Southwest Library, this weekend. He wrote on Instagram that the box is dedicated “to children living with disabilities and special needs” – read his full explanation here.

Just noticed this one while headed out on an errand – Ray Charles, painted by Desmond Hansen on the cabinet at the northwest corner of 35th/Thistle. Unless we’ve missed one, this is the first one we’ve heard about since these two months ago.

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a new Desmond Hansen signal-box portrait – it’s at Delridge/Genesee, a tribute to Mark “Monk” Hubbard of Grindline, designers of the nearby skatepark and many more. The artist tells a detailed story on Instagram about an encounter with the skatepark luminary, a West Seattle resident who died last year. While checking Instagram for more on that box, we noticed Hansen also has just completed one featuring wildlife, so we went by for a photo:

(WSB photo)

That one’s at Fauntleroy/Dawson.

1:57 PM: Thanks to Dave Brewer for sending the photo! He’s one of several readers who messaged us to say artist Desmond Hansen is painting another signal-box portrait today, this time the late, great Prince, at 47th and Admiral. Dave observes that it’s an appropriate spot, as SW Prince Street is just blocks away! (Checking the artist’s Instagram page, we see he’s also recently painted Dave Matthews.)

7:11 PM: Thanks to Al for this photo of the finished creation:

Thanks to Andy for the photo – Desmond Hansen‘s newest signal-box portrait is at California/Stevens, just outside the West Seattle High School campus. This one depicts Mia Zapata, the rising Seattle singer murdered in 1993. And yes, for those who have asked, the artist is still crowdfunding to cover expenses. We first reported on Hansen’s project – which started with a Jimi Hendrix portrait in Morgan Junction – in March 2018.

Thanks to Lynda B for the photo – that’s Desmond Hansen’s latest signal-box portrait, Seattle’s own Sir Mix-A-Lot, at 35th/Raymond near the High Point Library.

Thanks to Mike for the tip – he saw West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen painting that signal box on the northwest corner of 15th/Roxbury on Tuesday; we went by to see the finished work today. This one’s another Seattle rock ‘n’ roll tribute – Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone. Hansen’s signal-box tributes started with Jimi Hendrix in Morgan Junction in March 2018.

Thanks for the photo! A reader sent us that as artist Desmond Hansen worked on his newest signal-box portrait this afternoon, this time at Fauntleroy/Avalon. (Thanks also to the person who sent a text-only tip earlier; we subsequently passed the scene but were unable to get a photo.) If somehow you don’t recognize the faces, they are the Seattle rock ‘n’ roll sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. They’re the first women in Hansen’s set of tributes; he had said on Instagram that he had “a bunch of female icons coming up.”

Thanks for the tips! After word that artist Desmond Hansen was working on yet another signal box – this time at 35th SW and SW Roxbury on the north edge of Arbor Heights – we went over for a look. We found the artist packing up to take a break for some errands; he says this is a portrait of karate legend Chojun Miyagi (who is quoted on the website for West Seattle Karate, just steps away from the box). He’ll be back to finish it later today. This is his 10th signal box – here’s a montage of the first 9.

Thanks to the reader who sent photos of West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen‘s latest signal-box work:

That one, at 35th and Fauntleroy, is Nikola Tesla (here’s a picture on Hansen’s Instagram account, including finishing touches). Nearby, at 35th/Avalon:

That’s since been completed too – as you can see here, it’s Macklemore. It’s been almost 11 months since the artist started his project.

Thanks to Nicole for the photos! Graves (aka Desmond) Hansen has just painted another signal-box portrait … this time, a tribute to Kurt Cobain on the southeast corner of California/Graham. He actually painted this signal box first, as we showed you more than a month ago, but it just held the swirling background pattern until he added Kurt today. (Nicole’s photo below features Hansen at right, an assistant Dozer at left:)

He’s also continuing to collect donations to cover his costs. His previous four signal-box portraits are Jimi Hendrix at California/Morgan, Bruce Lee at 35th/Morgan, Chris Cornell at 35th/Alaska, and Layne Staley at Harbor/Spokane.

Over the weekend, West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen painted a tribute portrait on a fourth local signal box. This time, it’s Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, and it’s on the northwest corner of the Avalon/Harbor/Spokane intersection. That follows Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy (featured here March 7th), Bruce Lee at 35th/Morgan (featured here March 10th), and Chris Cornell at 35th/Alaska (here’s the artist’s Instagram photo). Hansen also launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for supplies, and it’s already past its goal; in a video accompanying it, he says he might even take the project citywide.

(WSB photos)

Morgan Junction has joined the ranks of West Seattle neighborhoods with signal-box art. After spotting this work in progress while passing through California/Fauntleroy earlier today, we went back for a photo. The artist is Desmond Hansen; he described the project on Instagram as “donating my time to the community.” In addition to the Jimi Hendrix portrait, he also painted this box one block north:

Delridge signal boxes were painted in 2013; signal boxes in The Junction were wrapped in 2014.

You might know the Southwest Seattle Historical Society best for its headquarters at the historic Log House Museum on Alki – but that’s just part of its work, as you can learn while supporting SWSHS via its gala and/or online auction in the weeks ahead. Here’s what to know:

2024 is shaping up to be a big year for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. It is also a year that coincides with significant anniversaries including its founding (1984), the building of the Fir Lodge/Alki Homestead (1904), and the ten-year anniversary of the installation of the Belvedere/Admiral Viewpoint replica Totem Pole at the Log House Museum at Alki Beach (2014).

As the historical society commemorates these anniversaries, and begins work on new strategic goals, it is branding the annual Spring Gala and Online Auction on May 3 as Navigating Our Past, Anew. The organization will announce new initiatives, including updating signage for the Totem Pole to provide more complete historical context (Totem Poles are not representative of Coast Salish art traditions and the one at the museum is in fact a replica of an earlier pole and was carved by non-indigenous artists).

The Historical Society will also be announcing a new project to develop an interactive, permanent exhibit on the history of the Duwamish Peninsula at the Log House Museum, made possible from a grant from the newly established Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. The exhibit timeline coincides with the organization’s three-year strategic plan adopted earlier this year.

Guest speakers for the event represent community partners that are integral to both projects and include Alex Gradwohl, Program Director, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area and Kristina Pearson, Director, Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.

The event includes food, a cash bar, and an exciting live auction featuring priceless experiences, including a chance to custom paint a traffic signal box with Desmond Hansen Art, a private tour of the West Duwamish Greenbelt with Chief Sealth descendant Ken Workman, and more.

In addition to the May 3 Gala, the organization is hosting an online auction from April 29 through May 2. The auction includes unique West Seattle experiences, local services, art, and gift certificates to local businesses. This year, the historical society is also auctioning numerous unique vacation rentals including a three-night stay at a luxury ranch outside Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley, Montana.

Tickets for the event are $95 and can be purchased online at loghousemuseum.org, which is also where you can register for the online auction, free.

The gala is happening at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor).

P.S. You can also learn more about the SWSHS and its work right now in the spotlight display at HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (41st/Alaska; WSB sponsor) – visit before next Tuesday afternoon and you can register for a drawing for two tickets to the gala!

Santa! Carolers! Mini-concerts! And … artists! That’s all in the plan for Thursday night’s holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk.

From Alki to Admiral to The Junction to Morgan Junction, dozens of venues will either be featuring artists or food/drink specials, as the list above shows. Beyond that, you’ll find holiday extras – plus three mini-concerts for The Art of Music.

(WSB photo: Santa in The Junction during 2022’s holiday Art Walk)

HOLIDAY EXTRAS IN THE JUNCTION: The Silver Belles caroling, Santa Claus roaming, the Better as Brass band playing at the KeyBank corner, and Shop Late Thursday at participating stores.

HOLIDAY EXTRAS IN ADMIRAL: Hot cocoa and ornament-making at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), Santa Claus meet-and-greet at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), and an ugly sweater tournament at Soiree (3278 California SW).

THE ART OF MUSIC: All three of these performances are scheduled for 6 pm-7:45 pm:

Sue Quigley at West Seattle Grounds
Rik Wright‘s Fundamental Forces at Great American Diner (4752 California SW)
Matt Cecil at Zeeks Pizza (6459 California SW)

As for the art – scroll through the preview post on the Art Walk website to see who’s showing their work – for example, if you’re going to West Seattle Grounds for the music and/or holiday extras mentioned above, you’ll see orca photos by PNW Orca Pod Squad Photography …. muralist Desmond Hansen will be at John L. Scott West Seattle (4445 California SW) … glass art by Melissa Misoda is part of what’ll be featured at CAPERS (4511 California SW) … browse and buy work by multiple artists at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) plus gift-wrapping by Clay Cauldron (5-8 pm) … Most artist receptions will be 5-8 pm, but doublecheck with individual venues. Again, this is all happening Thursday (December 14) … see you out along the Art Walk!

While Seattle basks in the Major League Baseball spotlight, we found Mariners All-Stars Julio Rodriguez and Luis Castillo on a wall south of The Junction – part of a mural in progress alongside the Rite-Aid parking lot’s north side on SW Dawson. You probably won’t be surprised to hear this is the work of prolific West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen. But the reader tip that led us there wasn’t about that mural – it was about the art on the block-long wall along the alley on the lot/store’s west side.

Multiple artists are contributing to this one – we happened onto two of them when we walked into the alley to check it out. They told us Desmond Hansen is leading this project too and brought in other artists because there’s so much space to fill. Some of the work includes cartoon characters:

Some of it’s complete, and some is not.

We have an inquiry out to try to find out more about the genesis of the multi-artist alley project.

Thanks to Jackie Borg from West Seattle Little League for sending this!

Desmond Hansen painted a new box at Bar-S Little League fields. We’re so excited for the new addition to the fields!

(That’s Mariners slugger Julio Rodriguez, aka “J-Rod,” on the box.)

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

Rapper Macklemore returned to Easy Street Records in The Junction this afternoon for a meet-and-greet signing event to celebrate his new album. Fans were waiting in this street – still closed post-Farmers’ Market – to snap pics:

Previous visits to Easy Street – including 2011 and 2016 – were with his longtime musical partner Ryan Lewis, but this time he’s solo. The new album carries his real name, Ben.

“Ben” was released this week; its first music video, “No Bad Days,” features Macklemore’s 7-year-old daughter Sloane. Easy Street sold out of the early “Ben” sales required to get a chance to meet him today.

Macklemore heads out on a world tour next month.

P.S. Days before Macklemore’s visit, artist Desmond Hansen was seen sprucing up his signal-box mural at 35th/Avalon:

(Thanks to Ian for the photo.) Hansen originally painted it in 2019.