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Transforming Madrona Beach:
A Vision for Art, Dance & Community
Life-size bronze sculptures inspired by Donald Byrd’s choreography will line a pathway leading to the Spectrum Dance studio - heart of Madrona Beach, while mural art on the building’s doors will reflect the stories of the dancers inside.
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The Community Experience - through nature, sculpture, art, music, poetry, history
Where our artistic soul awakens
Architecture
The exterior of the bathhouse will undergo a transformative renovation, with murals and artistic doors that reflect the architectural style of the
building. These elements will merge functionality with artistic expression, creating an inviting and historically resonant space that bridges the past with the present.
Art
Public art will be a defining feature of the piazza. The 40-foot mural on the south-facing wall of the bathhouse, along with the mural on the doors and
windows, will provide visual continuity, tying the space together with an artistic narrative that spans both historic and contemporary
Sculpture
Life-size bronze sculptures will be strategically placed throughout the park, representing Byrd’s boundary-pushing movement, dance, and the human
form. University of Washington Professor Emeritus John T. Young’s sculptures will evoke the power and grace of dance, providing a dynamic visual experience that invites visitors to engage with the art physically and emotionally.
Totem
Rising from the earth, this four-foot totem stands as both artwork and gateway, its weathered surface bearing the masterful marks of Duwamish carver Jose Smith. Within its rich wooden contours, ancient stories wait to be discovered through a simple QR code – a bridge between worlds that transports visitors back two thousand years. Here, through stories, sketches, and images, the daily life of the Duwamish people springs to vibrant life, inviting modern-day witnesses to step into a time when spirit and earth danced as one. Stories told by Chief Seattle’s 6th Generation Granddaughter
Landscape
Exquisitely, designed, easy-to-maintain landscaping will blend natural beauty with artistic elements with vibrant flowers and greenery, complementing the sculptures and creating a cohesive, environment.
Honoring the Olmsted Brother’s original concept.
History
Madrona Park’s rich history will be brought to life through storytelling, murals, and public displays. The community will be able to engage with the park’s
past—including sacred Indigenous land as well as the vibrant lakeside resort era of the 1920s—through digital experiences, vintage photos, and the tales shared by historian Junius Rochester and Chief Seattle’s 6th generation great grand daughter, Amber Cantu.
Poetry
Surround-sound speakers will provide pre-recorded poetry readings at sunrise, noon, and sunset, filling the park with words that inspire reflection and
connection to the space’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. Poet Tamarah Rockwood, Bainbridge Island Press, will select an array of classic, traditional,
and contemporary poems for one-hour readings three times per day. Walkers, runners, and passers-by will be treated to the lush word dessert. Overtime,
some may strategically time their walk or gather for the readings.
Music
Nature's own orchestra fills this space – waves lapping, soft breezes, rustling leaves, bird’s joyful songs. Several times each day, this natural symphony will be enhanced by pre-recorded four-minute vignettes of classical pieces like Pachelbel's Canon in D Major. Local musicians are welcome to join with spontaneous concerts. If Dr. Masaru Emoto's work is accurate, these harmonious vibrations will flow through our bodies, our water, and our world with healing energy.
Documentary
A Documentary follows the inspiring journey of transforming vision into reality, revealing both the dreams and practical challenges of reimagining Madrona Beach. Through behind-the-scenes footage and intimate storytelling, the film demonstrates how vision, community passion and effective public leadership, under Seattle Parks & Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz, brought Madrona Beach new life, while providing a blueprint for future civic projects.
Project Schedule
The project is put into concept, partnerships and funding secured.
The land will be released by the indigenous elders, blessed to be used by the following generations. Construction begins.
Live experiences are to be held onwards: music, poetry readings.
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