HomeMy WebLinkAbout070726 Artist Chosen for Skate Park Mural Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katy Goodman,
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Arts & Culture Coordinator
360-774-2362 kgoodman@cityofpt.us
ARTIST CHOSEN FOR SKATE PARK MURAL COMMISSION
Jesse Joshua Watson will begin engaging the community in the development of the new public
art project later this summer
PORT TOWNSEND After an extensive selection process, artist Jesse Joshua Watson has been
awarded the commission to create a new public art mural at the Seamus Sims Skate Park.
was chosen from 17 applications by Jefferson County based artists. The concept
for the mural
architecture and landmarks, which will be further developed through a collaborative process
involving skate park users and the wider community.
ranges from commercial illustration to large-scale public
murals across the state. He is the illustrator of 38 books, including the New York Times
Bestselling Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, I And I - Bob Marley, written by
Tony Medina, the award-winning Chess Rumble as well as Ghetto Cowboy and Polo Cowboy, all
three by G. Neri, and many more. In efforts to bring awareness and support to the Haitian
people after the 2010 earthquake, he travelled to Haiti and wrote and illustrated HOPE FOR
HAITI, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. His artwork has been displayed in galleries, cafes,
nightclubs, libraries, and museums. He has created murals for schools and other institutions
throughout Washington, including pieces at OCEAN and Port Townsend High School that were
created in collaboration with students.
a great
opportunity to work with the community to create something very special for our town. I am
looking forward to input from the skaters and seeing how the concept evolves into the perfect
In February, the City was awarded a Creative District Capital Grant by Washington State Arts
Commission (ArtsWA) to create a site-specific mural at the Seamus Sims Skatepark in
downtown Port Townsend. This permanent painted artwork will be the first public art
commissioned by the City since 2014.
Located at 250 Monroe Street, at the corner of Jefferson Street, the 0.33-acre Seamus Sims
Skatepark was built by the City in 2006 after decades of youth advocacy for a sanctioned place
to skateboard. In 2024 the park was renamed for Seamus Sims, who spearheaded the effort. In
2025 the City added solar-powered lights after a local high school student led a campaign to
add lighting for extended use of the park. Community activation and interest in this park is
growing, and with its central location on a main downtown artery and free public parking lot,
murals created at this site will be seen by locals and visitors, becoming a central visual landmark
for the Creative District and community at large. The new mural will span approximately 1,700
square feet of wall space at the park (it will not include the skateable surfaces in the park).
The City will provide a partial match of ArtsWA's investment of $30,000 in this project with
contributions from the Municipal Arts Fund, support from staff in Parks and Facilities, and
private donations. The Seamus Sims Skatepark is part of the City of Port Townsend's park
system and is maintained by City staff.
Proposals were reviewed by a selection panel made up of members of the Port Townsend Arts
members of other relevant City Advisory Boards,
community members, and a local artist. Three finalists presented their concepts to the public at
rd
a forum attended by more than 50 community members on June 23 at the Cotton Building.
Comments from attendees were used by the committee to inform the decision to award the
commission to Watson. Th
Commission and City Council. The project is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and be
completed by early 2027.
With the Creative District and Community Services Department, the City is proud to continue to
support inclusive, community-driven art through this project by building more opportunities for
the arts to be seen and appreciated in our built environment.
It was incredible to see so many high-quality applications from local artists, and it will be great
to see work and community spirit come to life at the Skate Parksays Katy Goodman,
Arts and Culture Coordinator, I am excited to help support more public art
commissions like this project so that artists can continue to make Port Townsend a more
beautiful and interesting place to live.
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Learn more about the Port Townsend Creative District: https://ptcreativedistrict.org/
https://www.jessewatson.com/