Public art of the Washington State Ferries system includes artwork on all or nearly all of the state's 23 ferries, available for viewing by millions of passengers annually. In addition to the public art installed aboard vessels, new terminal projects are required to set aside funds for artwork under Washington state law; a Kickstarter campaign funded art at the Banbridge Island terminal; and in one case, the hull of a former state ferry – MV Kalakala – is in the process of being repurposed as public art. Prior to the 2017 commissioning of the MV Chimacum, Washington State Ferries examined over 200 pieces of art before selecting 16 for display. Artwork for MV Suquamish was created by members of the Suquamish Tribe and selected by the tribal museum, to be displayed starting in 2018 for six to 12 years before replacement and return of the piece to the museum.
Seattle Arts Commission owns the Joshua Green Fountain, a bronze work by George Tsutakawa that was on display outside the main Colman Dock ferry terminal.
The agency has also displayed artwork by Washington youth on the covers of one million of its winter 2016 and spring 2017 sailing schedules.
References
- ^ Randall 2018.
- Terminal design manual 2016.
- Kalliber 2021.
- Pilling 2018.
- Lacitis 2018.
- Suquamish News 2018.
- Rupp 1992.
- Howard 2017.
- Port Townsend Leader 2016.
Sources
- Randall, Ann (February 13, 2018), "The Floating Art Galleries of the Washington State Ferries", West Sound
- Lacitis, Eric (2018), "Another reincarnation for the dearly departed ferry Kalakala. This time as public art.", The Seattle Times – via Tacoma News Tribune
- Pilling, Nathan (February 5, 2018), Bainbridge artist hopes ferry terminal mural will inspire a wave of public art, Seattle: Kitsap Sun – via KING-TV
- "WSF Terminal Design Manual" (PDF). April 2016. M 3082.05.
In July 1974, Washington State's Legislature established the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Program of the Washington State Arts Commission. The AIPP Program facilitates the acquisition of artwork with funds generated by new state-funded public building construction. The AIPP Program applies to the construction of WSF ferry terminal buildings.
- Kalliber, Kim (January 13, 2021). "New Mukilteo ferry terminal features Tulalip artwork and shares rich history". Tulalip News. Tulalip Tribes.
- Howard, Michelle (January 4, 2017). "Washington State Ferries Launches Student Art Contest – Washington state students in grades six through eight have an opportunity to have their artwork on upcoming spring ferry schedules". Maritime Logistics Professional.
- "WSF seeks student art". Port Townsend Leader. September 27, 2016.
- Rupp, James M. (1992). Art in Seattle's Public Places: An Illustrated Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 35 – via Smithsonian Art Inventories Catalog; id IAS 75008658.
- "Calling Suquamish artists". Suquamish News. Suquamish Tribal Government. January 2018.
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