New Murals Added to SODO Track

SODO Track Credit: Lizz Giordano

The SODO Track mural nears completions as 26 artists add to the 2-mile art experience this month.

Artist Paola Delfin Credit: Lizz Giordano

Last year eight murals were completed along the light rail track (also known as the SODO busway and trail), between the SODO and Stadium stations. This year the murals have expanded south to Spokane Street.

"We want to enhance the transit experience," said Tamar Benzikry, art project manager for 4Culture. "Take an ordinary bus experience and make it extraordinary."

4Culture is producing the project in partnership with the SODO BIA, King County Metro, and Sound Transit and collaborating with curator Gage Hamilton and Urban ArtWorks.

Hamilton said with 50,000 people passing through the corridor each day, the project brings art to the people as they travel one of the busiest transit routes in the city.

working in the heat on SODO Track Credit: Lizz Giordano

Sneke, Hews and Apaul Credit: Lizz Giordano

Murals range from graffiti-style to more painterly, abstract to realism, all reflecting on the theme of movement and motion.

Paying respect to Seattle's past, artist Addison Karl searched and found descendants of Chief Seattle incorporating their portraits in his mural amongst a mix of green flora. Nearby artists Sneke, Hews and Apaul stencil out multicolored triangles and fill in their piece paying homage to the graffiti that has long decorated this corridor.

The murals begin a few blocks before the light rail track connects and travels along the SODO busway into downtown. A brightly colored warehouse greets train riders as they turn north. For the full viewing experience, bus routes along the entire mural path include the 21, 131, 132 50, 101, 102, 150, 177, 178, 190, 590, 594 and 595.

Artists are wrapping up their mural this week, but another round of painting will begin in September. Next summer additional murals will fill in gaps to complete the project.

SODO track seen from the train Credit: Lizz Giordano

Artist Addison Karl Credit: Lizz Giordano

SODO Track Credit: Lizz Giordano

Artist Addison Karl Credit: Lizz Giordano

The post has been updated to correctly identify the bus routes along the SODO Busway, which are routes 50, 101, 102, 150, 177, 178, 190, 590, 594 and 595.