New mural at 23rd and Union kicks off the Corridor of Peace

The site of the old Pratt mural near Thompson’s Point of View is now home to a new mural. Painted on plywood in the art room at Madrona K-8, the mural remembers the area’s Mardi Gras parades of the past, which turned into a centerpiece of Seafair and the current Umojafest African American Day Parade (check out our coverage of last year’s rainy parade). This year’s parade will start at noon August 6, heading south from 23rd and Union. For more on the history of the parade, check out the Umojafest website.

Here’s how project organizer Randy Beaulieu, Central Seattle Drug Free Communities Coordinator for Seattle Public Schools, described the mural:  

The theme is the mardi gras parade past and present. A drill Team representing the (Renaissance Jr and Sr, Drillanetts, Dangeretts, Baby Dangeretts, and Sweet Mahogany), Blue Angels, Mt. Rainier, Laura “Peace Kelly” singing representing the Umoja Fest Parade, Hydroplanes, and other identifiable pictures.

The mural is one of three planned for 23rd Ave as part of the Corridor of Peace project, which is intended to be a way to help “clean up the neighborhood and make it free of drugs and violence,” according to Beaulieu. Each mural has been painted on plywood and are collaborations with youth who attend school near the mural site. The pieces planned for Cherry Street (a collaboration with Garfield students) and Jackson Street (Washington Middle School) are also finished and ready to be installed.

0 thoughts on “New mural at 23rd and Union kicks off the Corridor of Peace

  1. When we discovered that we were unable to use the Madrona K-8 Art room as originally planned, Pastor Steve Olsen and the parishioners of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd graciously let us use space in their basement. A big Thank You, without their help, completing the project would’ve been difficult. And a shout out to the middle school youth who painted the mural, too!

  2. bright & colorful, & very visible from the intersection, I love it! Nice work Randy & the team!