City of Edmonds - Washington

The City of Edmonds Arts Commission is holding a meeting on Zoom on Thursday February 24 at 6:00pm for members of the community to hear a presentation by Clark Wiegman, the selected artist for Civic Park public art project, about his proposed concept for the Civic Park Public Art Project. Wiegman was selected through a competitive process and is now under contract to create a design for the shelter area at the entry to the new park off 6th Ave N. 

Wiegman identified the shade structure and the wall of the restrooms as the best location for artwork, as it provides the highest visual impact for both three and two-dimensional designs. Using the shade structure as an armature for a suspended three-dimensional sculpture and the restroom wall as a canvas for a graphically designed two-dimensional artwork, Wiegman is exploring the use of lighted forms, vibrant color and organic patterns to harmonize the art elements into a bold, cohesive statement which the artist currently refers to as “Cascadia, Seawall and Lifeboat”. 

Background research and community outreach informs Wiegman’s initial approach to his concept. His concept draws on documented regional history, current maps, and environmental issues, along with conversations with residents and business owners, meetings with stakeholder groups and numerous walks through Edmonds’ downtown, cultural district, waterfront and parks.

Wiegman used the data gathered as a framework to express a relationship to the environment of Edmonds that is both timely and timeless. His intention is to bring viewers into a dialog between form and shape, color and pattern, light and shadow, sound and silence, biota and habitat, to strike a balance between archetypal imagery and locational uniqueness, particularly as it relates to Edmonds’ green infrastructure and vibrant downtown cultural district. “Cascadia Seawall and Lifeboat” concept’s intent is to encourage viewers to contemplate their place within the natural world. Through the spatial relationship between an iconic boat and a luminous wall, the artist hopes to create a feeling of belonging to a larger bio-region, fostering a sense of caring for each other and our environs.

In presenting his concept, Wiegman invites comment from the community. Comments and questions are welcome through the Zoom Chat function during the meeting following his presentation, or questions in advance and after the meeting can be emailed to [email protected].  

Wiegman will be developing his final concept design to present to the Edmonds Arts Commission in March, followed by a presentation to City Council for approval later this spring.