STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Wanted: Artists to design and paint murals on the new Bloom Community Food Center in Bellevue.
The Hunger Coalition is seeking three separate artists to complete murals to be placed on the exterior wall of its building under renovation in Bellevue. The building, which will serve as the organization’s headquarters, is slated to open in 2021.
The building will include a community kitchen, year-round greenhouses, raised garden beds, a next-gen food pantry, collaboration spaces, education room and children’s spaces.
Artists must be 18 years and older and are encouraged to indicate their interest as soon as possible to Naomi Spence at nspence@thehungercoalition.org.
Exterior murals should set the tone for the culture and experience the organization strives for. They should
- Be timeless and relevant for many years to come
- Exude food, health and community, while being positive and energizing
- Have a multi-cultural appeal that reflects the community
- Be multi-generational, appealing to all ages.
One will be put on the north-facing wall and another overlooking the garden on the east side. A southwest wraparound will overlook the main highway.
Artists must apply by Nov. 20. Finalists will be notified Dec. 18. First drafts are due by April 21, with the final draft prepared by May 7. Installation of the mural will begin May 24 and it should be complete by June 4.
For compensation and submission details, visit https://thehungercoalition.org/about/work-with-us-2/.
The art will be visible to thousands of visitors annually, said Naomi Spence, The Hunger Coalition’s associate director.
“We are thrilled to enlist the help of talented artists to bring color, comfort and culture to Bloom Community Food Center,” she added. “Artwork is essential to building an inclusive space where people from all walks of life feel welcome.”
The bones of two year-round greenhouses have landed and renovations are progressing nicely. Asphalt for the parking lot was finished over the weekend and the exterior paint job is nearly finished, said Kristin McMahon, the Coalition's communications manager.
"We're extremely excited to see this vision come to life: One where people from all walks of life will build a fresh approach to food security," she added.