Pole art in RVCC parking lot (1) Garlic Gulch farmers mural
In Photographs by Larry Neilson 		Pole art in RVCC parking lot (2)

Columbia City clock


In "Garlic Gulch" -- the historic Rainier Valley district of South Seattle -- you'll find unexpected riches of public art and culture. Columbia City, at the heart of the Valley, holds many of the chief cultural institutions of the area, such as the Columbia City Cinema in the old Masons' lodge, the Columbia City Theater (home of the Friday night cabaret), and the Rainier Valley Cultural Center. Whimsical and, in some cases, beautiful folk art and murals lend color and emotion to the neighborhood.

Join us for a romp around the neighborhood as the spring paints the Northwest in vivid colors.



Consejo Mural
Latino Pride Mural
at Consejo Counseling
Columbia City.


Chief Seattle Diversity Mural
on Darigold Dairy, Rainier Ave. S
Five-panel painting was an immense community project in mid-90s.

Filipino history mural
Filipino Pride Mural
Block-Wide Painting Honors Heritage
in Colorful, Animated Style.
Super Enlarged View

Orca fin sculpture
Multi-media Sculpture
in Columbia Park.

Liberation/Protest Mural
Liberation Mural
at SCCC Wood Construction Shop

Starbucks sign with laser-cut metal mermaid
Even our Starbucks
Has an Arty Angle!

Columbia City Mural at Columbia Place
Columbia City Mural
at Columbia Place

Building art in Columbia City
Playful screen of Wind Disks
along Rainier Ave. S

Bike Shop with funky artwork on facade
Bikeworks Sign
Made of Reflectors

Rainier Valley Cultural Center: glass sign
RVCC: Stained Glass
Sign in Columbia Park

Rainier Valley Cultural Center
Rainier Valley Cultural Center
on Columbia Park

Stained Glass Arted Bus Stop
Stained Glass Arted Bus Stop
in same style as RVCC signage. Stylized buses cover the side panels (note right panel above)


Fashion Statement
Art on Bus Stop.

Statue of Lenin with maple blossoms
Statue of Lenin and
Red Maple Trees

Okay, so it's not in Columbia City; it's in Fremont. This is still a nice seasonal view of the monumental statue surrounded in velvety, maroon maple blossoms. These trees are definitely the right shade to please our beloved bronze Bolshevik! To view Lenin decked out for Christmas, click the link.


Fashion Statement
Art on Bus Stop.

Seattle Rocks!!


COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All photos shown in this website are< copyright © 2006 by Larry S. Neilson. Reproduction, sale, or use of any images shown herein without prior written permission of the artist is expressly prohibited. To discuss picture usage, call (206) 579-4243 or enquire by e-mail.