Environmental Works and society at large have a tremendous amount of work to do to combat all forms of racism, oppression, and bigotry. Since 2018, EW has been working with diversity, equity, and inclusion consultants to develop an action plan for making EW a more equitable and socially just organization. We also launched a staff Social Justice Committee in 2018 to collaborate on this work. We look forward to sharing details of our action plan with you in the months to come.
Read on: inspiration from Washington nonprofits, voter registration, Seattle art and design (including EW's Seattle Design Festival installation), 15th Avenue East improvements, virtual travels, and ICYMI.
On June 12, 2020, Environmental Works staff participated in the March of Silence organized by Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County.
Washington nonprofits take on extraordinary new tasks. We are inspired by the hundreds of local nonprofits and agencies that have radically shifted and expanded their operations to serve more needs during the pandemic. One example: WA-BLOC (Washington Building Leaders of Change) is a youth-led nonprofit working to empower youth of color in South Seattle to become academic and social justice leaders. (EW staff had the honor of collaborating with them to present a workshop on collaborative design at Rainier Beach High School last year.) During the pandemic, they have served thousands of hot meals, delivered groceries to families in need, and provided financial relief, all in addition to their usual work of social justice leadership programming, summer learning, homework support, and restorative justice. Visit their website or Instagram to learn more and donate.
Register to vote! In King County, you can register to vote online up to 8 days before an election, or register by mail or in-person. King County primary election ballots will be mailed on July 15, and must be postmarked by August 4. General election ballots will be mailed October 14, and must be postmarked November 3. Click here for information on registering in other counties in Washington.
On June 19, 2020, artist Kemba Opio unveiled the new art installations at 23rd and Jackson.
Seattle art and design:
Extraordinary permanent art installations by Seattle artist Kemba Opio on the facade of the new Jackson Heights and Patricia K buildings at 23rd and Jackson were unveiled on June 19. Check out the photos above and Opio's Instagram feed (here, here, here, here) to see the finished installations as well as the work in progress. Opio's work combines murals and stainless steel panels to honor the Central District as a diverse neighborhood with a culturally rich Black community: its history, present, and a vision for a robust future. In the artist's words, “You can’t know where you are until you know where you’ve been.” The work was commissioned by project owner Community House Mental Health Agency with assistance from Ally Community Development.
The Seattle Design Festival will be August 15-23. EW's festival entry will examine the past, present, and future of 15th Avenue East. Check out Fire Station 7's windows and vicinity, along with collaborator Board & Vellum's windows at 115 15th Ave. E., for our visual displays that will be visible 24-7 from public rights of way during the festival!
Street and sidewalk improvements at the corner of Harrison and 15th Ave East, seen from Fire Station 7
15th Avenue East is safer! Improvements outside our offices have been completed, making walking, biking, and driving safer in our neighborhood. This project is part of Seattle Department of Transportation's work to develop safe routes to Meany Middle School and Lowell Elementary.
Take a virtual trip! During this period of staying close to home, we've been appreciating virtual travels:
Boards covering the windows of closed businesses have become canvases for beautiful and thought-provoking murals by local artists. This map with photos highlights many.
Take a virtual trip through Seattle's built past and present by visiting @timewarpseattle.
Visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory!
In Case You Missed It:
Construction progress: Edmonds Waterfront Center and Kirkland Shelter for Women and Families