Mural at site of Greenwood arson to be unveiled this Thurs, Dec 31

Mural celebrates artistry and creativity of neighborhood

SEATTLE – December 29, 2009 – Taproot Theatre Company and Seattle Mural Art will unveil the mural created for the site of the October 23 arson in Greenwood on Thursday, December 31, at 11 a.m. Taproot Theatre Company commissioned Seattle Mural Art an affliate of Bherd Studios to create a mural to cover the safety fence where the Eleanor Roosevelt Building stood until the arson. Concerned about leaving a hole in the core of the Greenwood business district, Taproot Theatre, which owns the property, saw the mural as a way to add beauty to the neighborhood and facilitate more art. The mural celebrates Greenwood’s character and artistry, and demonstrates its resilience in the wake of the fires.

WHAT Unveiling of Greenwood mural

WHEN Thursday, December 31, 11 a.m.

WHERE North 85th Street, just west of Greenwood Avenue.

Meet in front of Taproot Theatre Company, 204 North 85th Street, Seattle

Taproot Theatre Commissions Seattle Mural Art Team for Greenwood Mural

Taproot Theatre has commissioned our team "Seattle Mural Art" to create a mural installation on an 8 ft high by 89 foot long temporary wall in honor of the businesses that were lost after the arsons in our neighborhood. Above is an in progress shot of the main focal point of the mural symbolizing the re-birth of the Greenwood neighborhood - the phoenix rising from its ashes. When first contacted by Taproot, the team got together to brainstorm ideas that would best resonate with the community and Zach Bohnenkamp, one of the 3 artists, came up with the idea of the Phoenix. Other features of the mural will include a scene from the annual car show, a fireman rescuing a PAWs cat, and a call to action for the monthly artwalk "Art Up Greenwood-Phinney".

You may recognize the handiwork of these three artists: John Osgood, Kevin "Sensei23" Sullivan and Zach Bohnenkamp from the recently installed mural at ProSki on Aurora. Neighbors who have heard about the mural have been waiting to see the artists working on the wall outdoors, but the artists have been stealthily cloistered in a nearby location and the mural will not be totally revealed until the unveiling ceremony TBA soon.

Seattle Mural Art is an affliate of Bherd Studios Gallery located in Greenwood.