This year, we saw youth artists take on a new challenge by designing individual large-scale murals in South Lake Union. Vulcan Real Estate commissioned Urban ArtWorks to install large-scale murals in South Lake Union, and we transformed the project into a powerful youth-led collaboration. In the first phase of the project, four Base Crew youth artists designed four murals, with support from more than 100 volunteers, who helped bring the works to life. The project culminated in a Mural Jam, where emerging youth artists painted alongside professional mentors, engaging 15 artists in total.

Urban ArtWorks shared this opportunity with youth artists in the Base Crew, a year-round program for advanced participants who have completed our eight-week Mural Apprentice Program (MAP). After gaining foundational skills through collaborative mural projects with Teaching Artists, Base Crew youth can take on paid commissioned work, both individually and as a team. Through these unique real-world projects, youth artists deepen their artistic practice, build professional skills, and gain confidence as creative leaders, supported by Urban ArtWorks staff and experienced teaching artists from concept to completion.

After weeks of sketching, refining, and a competitive selection process, four youth created designs that uplift their voices and reflect the neighborhood.

These murals came to life thanks to community paint days where volunteers rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside our youth artists. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring these walls to life.

To celebrate the final phase of the project, eight youth artists joined forces with nine professional and teaching artists for a live-painting Mural Jam at 433 8th Ave N. (137 feet of wall!). Mentor–mentee pairs created individual murals in a gallery-style layout — a special moment to see emerging artists in action and share their creativity with South Lake Union.