Miguel Edwards has been selected to create a new permanent public art display near the light rail station.
The Mountlake Terrace City Council on June 29 approved the Arts Advisory Commission’s recommendation. The commission earlier endorsed the selection from a panel of community members who considered submissions from over 30 artists.
The artwork is for the coming pedestrian plaza at the corner of Van Ry Boulevard and 236th Street SW. This will be a 4,000-square-foot hardscaped park with benches, a community tree and plantings.
Edwards’ piece, “Rise Together,” promises to be a distinct sculpture that is place-making and relevant to the Mountlake Terrace community. A deconstructed steel sphere, it forms a spiral of graduated sizes and hues that bend in the same direction. The structure will feature bold colors and interactive lighting.
As part of a city project that enhances pedestrian access to the Civic Campus and the new light rail station, Mountlake Terrace is implementing city policy requiring construction projects to dedicate 1% to public art. After an extensive Call for Artists process, four talented local artists were chosen to present their designs at a community meeting April 19.
“It was a difficult decision as all of the artists were highly qualified, and the final four presented compelling work,” Arts Advisory Commission Chair Conner Ryan said. “Miguel’s art stood out for being creative and iconic. We look forward to partnering with him to create something that will identify Mountlake Terrace for many years.”
The Arts Advisory Commission will work with Edwards over the coming months to refine his proposal into a contract for City Council review.
For more information, contact Jeff Betz, Recreation and Parks Director, at 425-640-3101, jbetz@mltwa.gov.
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