Asphalt Art
About Asphalt Art
Asphalt art is a growing national initiative that helps cities use art and community engagement to improve street safety and revitalize public space. The City of Redmond has two artworks installed as asphalt art: The Sky Painting Parking Lot at Redmond Central Connector Park and Let the Sunshine In at Downtown Park (coming soon).
Let the Sunshine In
Artist: Jing Jing Wang
Location: Downtown Park
Background: The creation of an asphalt artwork inspired by rainbow crosswalks began with Redmond community members sharing their support of this project. At the Nov. 1, 2022 City Council meeting, community members explained the importance of a rainbow crosswalk to raise visibility and symbolize Redmond’s support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Considering these public requests, the Redmond Arts & Culture Commission approved adding Rainbow Crosswalks to the 2023 Cultural Arts work plan at their meeting on Feb. 9, 2023, and at the meeting on March 9, 2023, they approved an Artist Call.
The artist was selected in May and worked with the City to facilitate community engagement during National Pride Month in June. This feedback informed the artist's decisions in creating a final design for a Rainbow Crosswalk. The design was brought to the Arts & Culture Commission and approved on July 13, 2023, and will be installed midblock on Cleveland Street adjacent to Downtown Park sometime between August 25 and August 30. 2023, dependent on weather conditions. Please join us for a ribbon cutting from 11 a.m. to noon on September 1, 2023, at Downtown Park.
Project Timeline:
- November 1, 2022 - At the Nov. 1, 2022, City Council meeting, community members explained the importance of a rainbow crosswalk to raise visibility and symbolize Redmond’s support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- February 9, 2023 - The Redmond Arts & Culture Commission approved adding Rainbow Crosswalks to the 2023 Cultural Arts work plan at their meeting on Feb. 9, 2023.
- March 9, 2023 – The Redmond Arts & Culture Commission approved an Artist Call to select an artist that will work with the City to facilitate community engagement during National Pride Month in June.
- May 11, 2023 – Artist Jing Jing Wang was selected out of six applicants by a panel of artists and members of the LGBTQIA+ community and then approved by the Arts & Culture Commission. Jing Jing Wang is an artist, Redmond resident, former Redmond Arts & Culture Commission Youth Advocate, and in their own words, a proud queer advocate.
- June 2023 - The artist Jing Jing Wang facilitated community engagement with the LGBTQIA+ community during National Pride Month in June. The feedback from this work informed the artist's decisions in creating a final design for the Rainbow Crosswalk.
- June 24, 2023 – The artist Jing Jing Wang facilitated a Community Input Event at Centro Cultural Mexicano. This is a culmination of Jing Jing's month-long outreach campaign to dozens of Redmond and other Eastside LGBTQIA+ groups and organizations.
- July 13, 2023 - The design was brought to the Arts & Culture Commission and approved.
- July 14, 2023 - The design was sent to the fabricator.
- Between August 25 and August 30, 2023 - The new crosswalk will be installed midblock on Cleveland Street adjacent to Downtown Park by Public Works. A closure of Cleveland Street will be necessary for installation. Timing is dependent on weather conditions.
- September 1, 2023 - City staff and the Mayor will host a ribbon cutting for this new artwork from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Redmond community is invited to attend.
- September 2, 2023 – The crosswalk will be in place for the second annual Redmond Pride Festival on Sept. 2 in Redmond Downtown Park.
Sky Painting Parking Lot
Artist: John Fleming
Location: Redmond Central Connector Park
Background: The Redmond Central Connector’s giant painting may be appreciated from underfoot as well as the sky. 10-foot rings radiate from the largest trees saved on the edge of the parking lot. These giant ‘tree rings’ remind us of what was here, the paradise lost.