JOURNEY OF SALMON
installed May 2023
by Paige Pettibon
The Journey of Salmon mural created by Tacoma-based artist Paige Pettibon was installed Thursday on the rooftop of Main Street Commons at 6th and Main.
The mural, which uses the traditional colors of many Coast Salish tribes, represents the overcoming of obstacles. The single big wave symbolizes the waterways that served as the original traveling path for Pacific Northwest tribes.
“My family is so honored to have Paige Pettibon’s Salish art represented in Edmonds,” said Main Street Commons owner/developer Mike McMurray. A land acknowledgment and artist celebration is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 22, he said.
Sponsored by Mike McMurray, this mural undertaking took a couple of years to come to fruition. Mural Project Edmonds (MPE), a committee of Art Walk Edmonds, embarked on a lengthy search for a Coast Salish artist. Tacoma-based Paige Pettibon, who is Black, White, and Salish (from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes) rose above the rest. Paige is influenced by her multicultural background. Her work has been shown at the Tacoma Art Museum, Smithsonian, and art galleries in the Puget sound region.
Then there was the obstacle of the mural’s location on the rooftop of the Main Street Commons building. It was solved by the decision to paint the mural on panels inside Paige’s studio, then installed when construction and weather permitted.
MPE has been responsible for new murals in downtown Edmonds for the past few years. The overall goal of the new MPE is to bring professional-level, well-planned artistry to the community and to fit appropriately into the chosen space.
The process to put up a mural is a long and arduous one. MPE is committed to installing murals that will stand the test of time. This means themes and locations are thoroughly vetted to enhance their surroundings. Then the muralist is chosen based on their style and experience. The artists hired must have a proven track record with outdoor mural experience, must use high-quality materials that will withstand outdoor exposure, and must adhere to the City’s strict permitting codes.
MPE is currently scouting out a location for next year’s mural project: a tribute to essential workers in our community.
Funds for new murals are raised primarily through downtown Edmonds Summer Wine Walks, which are hosted by Art Walk Edmonds twice each summer. Donations, grants and sponsorships also help with the costs.
Anyone interested in donating to the Art Walk Edmonds can do so online here. Companies or entities interested in sponsoring a new mural should contact Art Walk Edmonds.
installation…
