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Bothell hires artist team for downtown public‑art plan and activates 'Triangle Junction' site
Summary
Staff said the city will contract with artist Elizabeth Gann and Uncommon Bridges to create a downtown public‑art plan with implementation funds; commissioners also discussed selecting local artists for several mural panels and other activations at the newly named Triangle Junction.
City staff told the Arts Commission on Oct. 16 that Economic Development Coordinator Ashish Joshi obtained a Port of Seattle grant requiring matching funds and that the city plans to use those resources to develop a downtown public‑art plan and a small implementation pilot.
Staff said an artist‑led RFP selected Elizabeth Gann and consultancy Uncommon Bridges to lead the downtown public art plan, which will produce ideas for temporary activations and a roster of artists the city can call on for short‑term projects. Staff said the commission hopes to finalize the contract and present it to City Council for approval next month.
Separately, staff described activation work at the newly named Triangle Junction (lots E, F and G), where a recent kickoff included pop‑up shops, food trucks, a community garden and other temporary uses. Staff outlined a proposal for six connected mural panels and recommended prioritizing local artists for the first call; a suggested schedule would issue the call by February, select artists by March and start art production in June.
Commissioners suggested theme ideas (for example, a 'say hi' neighborhood campaign), recommended including a youth panel and asked staff to do outreach to tribal‑affiliated and other local artists. Staff said small stipends (for example, up to $500 per panel) and vendor/donor support could be part of the implementation budget.
No final selection of themes or artists occurred at the meeting; staff will circulate theme ideas and gather commissioner input before a selection process is launched.
