The McKinley Hill neighborhood has recently become a canvas for temporary art installations. The deployment of these artworks is part of a broader initiative to revitalize the area through creative placemaking, with financial backing from a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant. The latest piece, “Welcome to McKinley Hill,” was crafted by local artist Liz Morrow and has been installed along McKinley Avenue. Joining it is "Zine Library," designed by Tacoma artist Katrina Van Strein, situated outside Lux Coffee at 3535 McKinley Avenue. Both pieces are the newest additions in a series of five planned temporary installations.
According to a City of Tacoma press release, the NEA's "Our Town" grant, of which Tacoma was only one of 57 recipients nationwide, aims to infuse the neighborhood with a sense of community identity and pride. District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge highlighted the importance of local involvement, stating, "This exciting initiative aims to celebrate McKinley's culture and heritage. I’m excited these installations are being created by local artists who are representative of Tacoma and are uniquely able to express its character." Sadalge expressed ongoing enthusiasm for future permanent pieces that are also planned for the area.
The McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan, which has utilized a deeply collaborative process with over 1,500 community engagements, has identified creative placemaking as a priority. With the NEA grant, the City’s Arts and Cultural Vitality Division, in partnership with Spaceworks Tacoma, was able to provide a training program for emerging local artists. Ten artists participated and competed for funding to bring temporary and permanent artwork to the neighborhood.
Residents can look forward to more artwork in the coming months, including “Firefighter Mural” by Tacoma artist Rick Bisol, which is set to adorn the fence of McKinley Elementary School and banners by Delaney Saul expected to decorate the light poles of the McKinley Business District next spring. Additionally, Carlos Aguilar's “They Drift ‘Unidos’” mural is on the slate for a spring unveiling, with its location still under finalization. These initiatives are collectively poised to foster a more vibrant and culturally rich atmosphere in McKinley Hill.
