Dinah Rau’s “Stained Glass Forest” brings abstract, colorful trees to Pacific Highway South and South 272nd Street. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Dinah Rau’s “Stained Glass Forest” brings abstract, colorful trees to Pacific Highway South and South 272nd Street. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Kent unveils a new batch of art-wrapped traffic signal control boxes

Eight more boxes display art at intersections

Crews recently installed eight new original artworks as part of the City of Kent’s traffic signal control box art project.

A graceful heron rises in flight over a spectacular orange sunset at the intersection of SE 256th Street and 132nd Avenue Southeast. A flock of wacky birds has taken up residence on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Meeker Street. Delicate flowers provide a stark contrast to the busy intersection of Central Avenue North and East James Street.

What began in 2017 as a partnership between several sity departments to deter graffiti and beautify unsightly boxes that control traffic signals, has resulted in 21 artworks located throughout the community.

The project was first suggested by Kent Police Department staff to prevent graffiti on traffic signal controller boxes, which frequently serve as blank canvases for taggers. The Public Works Department assists with selecting frequently vandalized boxes and preparing them for the application of artwork, and the Kent Arts Commission funds and spearheads the project.

“We see it as an opportunity to contribute artwork to highly visible streetscapes,” said Dan Cox, chair of the Arts Commission, in a city news release.

Each year, the Arts Commission extends the opportunity to design a box to professional and emerging artists residing in Washington state. The artists can work in any medium, so long as the final artwork can be translated and digitally reproduced on a two-dimensional vinyl wrap. More than 100 applications have been received, and 18 artists have been selected and commissioned to design artwork for different box locations. The most recent batch of eight artworks include:

• Jill Erickson’s “Heron Rising” soars over a Lake Meridian sunset at SE 256th St. and 132nd Ave. SE.

• Whimsical silhouettes of animals and people appear on Melissa Koch’s box, “Pursuit of Happiness,” at Pacific Highway South and S. 252nd St.

• Cam Kristenson’s “Crazy Birds on Parade” greet travelers with their colorful, wacky style on the corner of Fourth Ave. and Meeker St.

• Vikram Madan’s “Perplexed Penguins” peer out from a striking color-block background at SE 272nd St. (Kent-Kangley Rd.) and 152nd Ave. SE. The curious little birds appear holding a variety of fanciful objects, from hearts and butterflies to lollipops and a tiny accordion.

• The lush, green wetland images that appear on boxes at the Interurban Trail and Smith Street are photographs by artist Ken Winnick.

• Erica Peto’s “Beauty and the Beast” sets an inspiring and historical scene at the intersection of Fourth Ave. and James St. Peto’s artwork features Japanese Koi, a Red-Crowed Crane, produce, foliage, and a guard tower – all to represent and honor Japanese Americans living and farming in the Kent Valley in the early 1900s, until forced into internment camps during WWII.

• The delicate lines and soft colors of Joy Hagen’s “Flora” provide a calming counterpoint to the busy intersection of Central Ave. N. and James St.

• Dinah Rau’s “Stained Glass Forest” brings abstract, colorful trees to Pacific Highway South and S. 272nd St.

The head-turning installations transform their locations into outdoor galleries, giving drivers something bright and interesting to look at when they’re stuck in traffic and making passersby smile. Each artist brought a distinct style to their box, giving the project a range of themes and styles.

Over the course of three years, the art-wrapped boxes seem to be doing their job as graffiti deterrents as well, with decreased incidents of tagging, which are easily cleaned off the vinyl surfaces.

Response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, with enthusiastic feedback across all ages and various segments of Kent’s population. Plans are in the works to continue the project in 2021.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Vikram Madan’s “Perplexed Penguins” peer out from a striking color-block background at SE 272nd Street (Kent-Kangley Rd.) and 152nd Avenue SE. The curious little birds appear holding a variety of fanciful objects, from hearts and butterflies to lollipops and a tiny accordion. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Vikram Madan’s “Perplexed Penguins” peer out from a striking color-block background at SE 272nd Street (Kent-Kangley Rd.) and 152nd Avenue SE. The curious little birds appear holding a variety of fanciful objects, from hearts and butterflies to lollipops and a tiny accordion. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Whimsical silhouettes of animals and people appear on Melissa Koch’s box, “Pursuit of Happiness,” at State Route 99 (Pacific Highway South) and South 252nd Street. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Whimsical silhouettes of animals and people appear on Melissa Koch’s box, “Pursuit of Happiness,” at State Route 99 (Pacific Highway South) and South 252nd Street. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

More in News

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit

t
State Patrol catches a pair of motorcycles going over 100 mph on I-5

See a video of their arrest. Agency uses air surveillance to pursue from Federal Way to Renton

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
Official ribbon cutting for the Kent Valley Bezos Academy, which is still accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kent Valley Bezos Academy offers student-driven preschool experience

New school offers free enrollment to children of income-eligible families