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Public Arts Program
2002 Projects
Cedar River Watershed Education Center
19901 Cedar Falls RD SE, North Bend, WA
Artist: Dan Corson
2002
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Artist Dan Corson worked with the design team of Jones and Jones Architects to integrate art into the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. The destination interpretive facility educates visitors on the function, ecology and importance of the Cedar River Watershed, which is managed by Seattle Public Utilities as the principal source of drinking water for the Seattle metropolitan area. The artworks created by Corson reflect the Cedar River Watershed’s natural environment and also make use of the resource, water, whose stewardship rests with Seattle Public Utilities.
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- • Snaking Root Ceiling
Four tree roots, harvested in the area, are suspended in the Center’s entry. Three tree remnants are intertwined with blue krypton and green argon light tubes, representing the flow of water and energy of the Cedar River water system.
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- • Dendritic Root Floor
The Center’s lobby floor features stylized root patterns, sandblasted and stained onto the concrete floor, echoing the root ceiling above. The visitor is made aware of the Watershed’s natural ecology in the use of tree root imagery.
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- • Rain Drum Court
The Cedar River Watershed Education Center’s Rain Drum Court uses the natural resource that feeds the watershed, rain, to activate the artwork. This exterior Court encircled by vine maples includes 21 painted drums, representative of different cultures, and a few scattered artifacts from towns that used to be located inside the watershed boundaries. During rainfall, the water collects on the maples’ leaves and drips to sound the rain drums. When it is dry, a computer activates nozzles that drip water in pre-programmed rhythms of various cultures, including Native American, African-American and Balinese, or, at other times mimic rain. The artwork reinforces the mission of SPU’s Watershed Education Center which is to educate youth and adults alike about the environmental and cultural history of the Cedar River Watershed.
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Beckoning Cistern/Vine Street
1st Avenue and Vine Street, Belltown
Artist: Buster Simpson
2002
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Beckoning Cistern, shaped like an open hand, captures rainwater runoff from the roof of a nearby building and, when full, spills the water into the adjacent planter. Demonstrating “green” practices, the sculpture reinforces and brings public awareness to Seattle Public Utilities’ water conservation efforts. It also demonstrates natural cleansing of stormwater through planted drainage systems also integral to SPU’s mission. The sculpture is a popular component of the “Growing Vine Street” revitalization effort, which involved property owners, neighborhood groups, and various departments of the City, including Seattle Public Utilities.
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West Seattle Cultural Trail
Alki Beach, West Seattle
Artists: Joe Feddersen, Donald Fels, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith
1998-2002
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The West Seattle Cultural Trail spans Alki Beach and extends onwards up the Duwamish River. It is comprised of five basic elements: etched and inlaid stone pavers, bronze plaques, viewing devices that merge the view of actual scenery with ghost images, sculptural arches which serve as gateways to the trail, and a sculpture by Donald Fels, Paragon, at Terminal 107. These elements combine with stories and poems from the community to celebrate not only the human history of the area, but the plant and animal life, the geology, and the geography of the site as well. Its references to environment underscores SPU’s stewardship responsibilities (e.g. water quality, habitat restoration) related to the City's water resources. This project was partially funded by SPU.
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