Last month when the ladybug intersection at N. 49th and Burke marked its fifth anniversary, we mentioned that another Wallingford intersection would soon be graced with a creature.
This weekend, the intersection at Interlake Ave. N. and N. 41st Street will be closed down for the painting of the turtle, pictured here.
The turtle design was created by Maple Leaf artist Rachel Marcotte, whom our sister site Maple Leaf Life profiled in July.
Local resident Bill Lindberg spearheaded the project, and the Seattle Department of Transportation sent out more information today.
During the work on Saturday and Sunday, August 28 and 29, the intersection will be closed from 9 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m. each day. In order to prepare the “street canvas,” on Saturday the street will be pressure washed, brush scrubbed and then the design will be chalk out-lined. On Sunday the artwork will be re-chalked, painted and dried. At least 50 neighbors are expected to lend a hand to the work effort.
The street mural is a culmination of many months of planning by the neighborhood and Bill Lindberg, the resident who spear-headed the project, and the artist, Rachel Marcotte. The mural is funded in part by the city’s Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund. The Neighborhood Traffic section of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has provided oversight and coordination to help bring this project to fruition.
I know this stuff is all sweet and winsome and what-not, but frankly, I think it's incredibly tacky. I'd have been livid if they painted that in front of my house as any excuse people have not to buy a home in this economy is unwelcome. You cannot convince me that people want to live by a bug or a turtle.
@ Joepinstripe. Sounds like there's a place around here that'd be perfect for your house! It'd be called the Eastside!
HAHAHAHAHA iyqtoo! That's hilarious! And so original!
I was unaware there's no gray area between your drum-circling Kucinich-mad hippy and some Botoxed Stepfordian Anglo over in Bellevue. Since when did living in Wallingford mean I had to adopt the aesthetics of the McMansion and Disneyesque crap on the Eastside? Or those of some patchouli-drenched, 60s-entranced rube?
I'd like nice, paved, safe, clean streets. Without what I consider to be infantile street art. I'd also like fewer fences. More food gardens. More neighborhood get-togethers. Small businesses. And I'd maybe even bring YOU a pie.
But just because I differ in opinion, don't tell me I need to move away. Frankly, if turtles on the streets were the norm, your opinion would carry a lot more weight. Maybe you need to move, since it doesn't seem intersection art is sweeping Wallingford anytime soon.
I do live there and would love to see a circle or speed bumps to slow people down but the city won't allow it. If a mural helps protect my three children and others in the neighborhood from being hit by fast moving cars trying to bypass the terrible traffic then so be it. And, by the way, if you're so into “get-togethers” then stop by today and help with the project. It has brought a lot of neighbors together. Brian
Brian, I certainly hope the street art has that positive effect and your kids are kept safe. Given that I do not support the street art, however, it would be disingenuous for me to participate. I suppose Klan meetings bring neighbors together, but I wouldn't attend one of those, either.