Arts & Culture

Emerald Asks: What Are Your Favorite Murals in the South End?

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by Emerald Staff

Murals are infused with meaning. More than decorations on a building’s exterior, murals represent and reflect the community. That’s why the Emerald asked readers this month: What are your favorite murals in the South End?

Before artist Lawrence Pitre designed and painted a mural outside of Northwest Tap Connection on Rainier Avenue South, the studio’s executive and artistic director, Melba Ayco, talked with him for two hours about the studio’s mission and purpose.

The result is an original painting with the words “Hard times require furious dancing,” featuring four dancers in the foreground of an African village with a playground. They all dance on wooden boards, just as tap dancers at Northwest Tap Connection would.

“He really listened to what we are,” Ayco said. “So when people come in to our studio, we feel it’s very representative of what our values are here.”

Emerald readers shared some of their favorite murals from around the area, each with an artist or community behind it and each infused with meaning.

Here’s what readers shared.

Northwest Tap Connection

8732 Rainier Ave. S.

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Lawrence Pitre worked with Northwest Tap Connection to create the mural outside the studio on Rainier Avenue South. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

Dragon Auto Repair and Transmission

2901 17th Ave. S.

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Will Schlough designed the mural that sits across the street from the Beacon Hill Library. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

King Donuts

9232 Rainier Ave. S.

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Mural by Janeesha Leadingfighter. “It’s a real place” reads a sign at King Donuts, the combination doughnut shop, teriyaki restaurant and laundromat. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

Safeway

3900 S. Othello St.

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“Inflorescence,” by Ari Glass and Craig Cundiff, stretches across the side of the Safeway at Othello Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

Franklin High School

3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd.

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Franklin High School Art of Resistance and Resilience Club students created this 40-foot mural honoring the Black Panther Party outside of the school track on Rainier Avenue South. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

Seattle Cannabis Co

7266 Rainier Ave. S.

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Murals by artist Paul Barstol cover two sides of Seattle Cannabis Co. on South Othello Street and Rainier Avenue South. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)
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Murals by artist Paul Barstol cover two sides of Seattle Cannabis Co. on South Othello Street and Rainier Avenue South. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

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Featured Image: Lawrence Pitre’s mural at Northwest Tap Connection on Rainier Avnue South. (Photo: Aaron Burkhalter)

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