Park Promenade at Waterfront Park. Photo by Jo Cosme.
Community‑Led Placemaking Activations
Neighbors finding their spot at Waterfront Park's Grand Opening Celebration. Photo by Brandon Patoc.
About the Project
Three community-led art installations will transform Waterfront Park this summer, as part of our inaugural placemaking activations project developed in partnership with our Community Partnership Committees.
Designed to bring the waterfront to life, these activations reflect the diverse identities and cultures that shape Seattle and are crafted to foster a sense of belonging and connection along residents and visitors.
A person standing and laughing in front of a group of people wearing a brown hat.
About the Process
This multi-year project began with placemaking exploration in 2024 followed by co-design sessions in 2025, facilitated by partners from Uncommon bridges. Designs were further refined prior to starting production in 2026.
Over the course of 15 meetings, the three committees worked to define three unique vision statements representative of their lived experiences, Seattle culture and historical narratives. Then began the artist selection process and after a thorough review process, committee members voted on artists to carry out this work.
Three Visions, Three Activations
Melvin Freeman's "Unity"
Find it starting July 18 at Seneca Street Intersection
About the Artwork
Sea The You In Unity is a large scale interactive art installation centered on the word UNITY. The word is composed entirely of mirrors, set against a rich photo mosaic backdrop of community members. Together, these elements create a collective portrait, inviting each viewer to see themselves as part of the whole.
This vision was shaped by our BIPOC centered Community Connections Committee and expressed through the phrase SEA the YOU in Unity.
About the Artist
The Fly Blind Guy was born Melvin Freeman in Seattle, Washington in the late 70s. He was raised in Seattle’s urbanized Central District neighborhood. In his formative years, Melvin found his creative inspiration directly in the environment that engulfed him.
By the time he was an adolescent, he was well known around his neighborhood for his avant-garde style and various types of self-designed customized shoes to match. With a lack of a strong creative outlet, Melvin started his “artistic” journey by tagging graffiti and vandalizing walls all over Seattle’s neighborhoods.
In 2010, Melvin was diagnosed with the rare condition Autoimmune-Related Retinopathy and Optic Neuropathy (ARRON) Syndrome. This degenerative disease has left him completely blind in the left eye and has gravely affected his vision in the right. Although this condition hinders his capacity to see with perfect vision, it has not stopped his amazing adeptness and love to produce his art. Melvin shoots the bulk of his photos with a Nikon DSLR and shares his photography though his brands EYEsore and Suede Gutz. Photo images are created in the mediums, but are not limited to, canvas, wood, clothing, and giclee prints.
Jackie Crane's "Weaving is Medicine" Pavilion
Find it starting August 2026 at University Street Intersection
About the Artwork
Coming soon!
About the Artist
Jackie Crane is a Seattle-based architectural designer and artist. She is an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and also descends from the Chinook Indian Nation.
Jackie’s work spans digital design, ceramics, model making, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more, blending traditional Indigenous building practices with contemporary architecture. With a passion for revitalizing Indigenous methods, Jackie explores ways to work with cedar (“catáwiʔ”) through weaving, jewelry, carving, architecture, design/build, and digital fabrication. She earned her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Washington, focusing on Sustainable Systems and Design.
E.T. Russian's "Regenerations"
Find it starting September 4 at University Street Intersection
About the Artwork
“Regenerations” is a tactile comic you can read with your hands. It tells three stories about Puget Sound sea creatures surviving predators and thriving through mutualism.
About the Artist
E.T. RUSSIAN is a multi-sensory artist, maker of comics and zines, disability justice advocate and healer. They like making things that can be touched, felt and heard.
Russian is the author of The Ring of Fire Anthology and codirector of documentary Third Antenna. Their work has been published in All This Safety is Killing Us: Health Justice Beyond Prisons, Police, and Borders; Graphic Public Health; Disability in American Life: An Encyclopedia of Concepts, Politics, and Controversies; When Language Runs Dry; Skin, Tooth & Bone; Gay Genius and The Collective Tarot. Their work is in the permanent collections of Wellcome Collection in London, the United States Library of Congress, Wedding Cake House in Rhode Island, Washington State Convention Center and the City of Seattle. Russian’s work has shown in the National Library of Medicine, Wing Luke Museum, Center on Contemporary Art, ABC No Rio. Bellevue Art Museum, Jack Straw Gallery, Flux Factory, Hedreen Gallery, Fantagraphics Gallery, Out of Sight: Survey of Contemporary Northwest Art and the Seattle Architecture Foundation. Russian has received support from Art Matters, 4Culture, Seattle Office of Art & Culture, Jack Straw Foundation, Short Runand the University of Washington.
Waterfront Park Promenade. Photo by Erik Holsather.
Visit the Activations
All three activations are located along the Park Promenade at Waterfront Park, a short walk from Seattle’s Great Wheel. With the water on your right, head south along the Park Promenade to Pier 56 and Pier 57.
- The surrounding area is a flat, contrete plaza with some seating and umbrella shade
- Learn more about accessibility at Waterfront Park here
Thank you to our project partners
