SPL Murals Artists
We have commissioned murals by local artists that can be found at the Central Library and our neighborhood branches. We prioritize equity and inclusion in selecting artists to work with.
E.T. Russian
Zine Room Mural at Central Library
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, E.T. Russian is a multi-sensory artist, maker of comics and zines, disability justice advocate and healer. Russian’s work explores themes of living and dying, work and play, light and shadow. Their work is in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress and the Washington State Convention Center. You can find their work at www.etrussian.com.
Will Schough
Underwater and Space Murals at Central Library
“The ultimate goal of my artistic practice is to put surprising, playful, and thought-provoking work in public spaces where it can be experienced and enjoyed by an expanded audience. Through mural work, sculpture, or a combination of the two, my work aims to provide a change of pace to the often-monotonous hustle and bustle of daily life, while simultaneously encouraging a fresh look at the site and culture that the work inhabits. Whether it's giant acorns smashing park benches or huge birds wrapping unused buildings in ribbon, I strive to create unique narratives that interact with the surrounding environment and ask viewers to explore possibilities, both in the physical landscape and within themselves and their communities.” You can find Will's work at www.willschlough.com.
Angelina Villalobos
Community Mural at South Park Branch
“My work follows a quote from local KEXP VJ Gabe Teodros: 'If a tree can't grow there, I can't grow there', highlighting the struggle of what it means to grow in difficult spaces. My work often depicts nature and animals thriving in the manmade circumstances of their mural sites; industrial areas, urban landscapes, etc. Places where we might overlook the order of nature. I accomplish this by using color fluidly; selecting palettes from the area around me and playfully experimenting with shades, complimentary colors, and my favorite, neons! My figurative work lends itself to the imagination, for example how a wolf would appear in a fantastical technicolor dream. My goal is to always experiment and play with shapes and color, bringing the outside in.” You can find her work at www.angelinavillalobos.com.