
Seattle City Light artist-in-residence Kate Clark contributed to this blog post.
Public art has the power to transform shared spaces, inspiring connection and creativity. A new generation of young curators has brought fresh energy and diverse viewpoints to the City of Seattle’s Civic Art Collection. Through their efforts, 50 works by 30 artists were selected and purchased using Seattle City Light’s 1% for Art funds.
These artworks will be shown in an exciting exhibition called “Fresh Perspectives” at King Street Station Gallery. The exhibition features many types of art, including paintings, textiles, and 3D-printed pieces.
Join us for the opening night on First Thursday, February 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will include live jazz music by Jahnvi Madan.
Visit the “Fresh Perspectives” exhibition
Come discover the creativity of Seattle’s next generation of artists and curators. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
- When: February 6 – April 5, 2025
- Where: ARTS at King Street Station Gallery, 303 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA
- Cost: Free
For more information, visit ARTS at King Street Station.






Supporting young voices in art
“Fresh Perspectives” is part of a summer program designed to empower young artists of color. Teaching artist Hasaan Kirkland led the program of 10 participants (ages 17–20) with hands-on experience in art curation. The program encouraged teamwork and growth.

Participants attended museum tours, visited artists’ studios, and explored City Light offices to learn about public art. Their experience ended with selecting pieces to add to the City’s Portable Works Collection. These pieces are displayed in City-owned buildings across the city.
One participant, Naima Joseph, shared their experience, saying:
“Throughout my 12 years of public schooling, I’ve never had an arts teacher of color, and I’ve rarely been able to take arts classes in general due to low funding. Learning about the very secretive world of art curating was incredible, and having a teacher and guest speakers who were honest about the difficulties they faced due to a bias in the arts was like a breath of fresh air.”
Fellow participant Othello Smith reflected, “To do this work you really have to put your opinions and ego to the side. If someone shared another opinion that I liked more, I would tell myself, ‘I should lean into that.’”
Youth curator Dream Bernard said, “I actually enjoy curation because it combines my love of art and storytelling.”
A commitment to public art
Seattle has been funding public art since the 1973 adoption of the 1% for Art ordinance. This program sets aside 1% of eligible City capital improvement project funds for public art. City Light was the first department to adopt this initiative, helping build a significant, lasting art collection.

The youth curatorial program is one of 51 project proposals outlined in City Light’s Public Art Plan, which artist-in-residence Kate Clark developed in collaboration with artists, community members, and City Light employees.
Programs like Fresh Perspectives promote meaningful and accessible art projects. Our public art plan focuses on supporting underrepresented artists and ensuring that public art reflects the Seattle area’s diverse communities.
Through art, we celebrate creativity, culture, and connection and welcome everyone to be part of this vibrant legacy.