Last October 23rd, a ( 3-alarm blaze ) destroyed four businesses near the busy intersection of Greenwood Avenue and 85th Street in North Seattle. The arsonist was subsequently arrested and is currently awaiting trial. The burned businesses were razed. Rather than erect a plain plywood barrier, the folks at Taproot Theater, one of the few buildings left standing, wanted to do something special. They provided money for materials and three artists from ( Seattle Mural Art ) donated their time and talents. Its official unveiling took place on December 31st.

Here's the mural in its entirety. It brightens up the gray Seattle winter days.

 
An owl sits on the Greenwood sign, keeping watch over the neighborhood.
Friendly neighbors symbolize the monthly Greenwood Artwalks.

Here's a Phoenix, rising from the ashes. It's very fitting.

 

Comedy and Tragedy masks pay homage to the Taproot Theater, originators of the mural idea.

Here's my favorite part of the mural. 'Paws Cat City', a cat adoption shop is adjacent to the burned buildings. Firefighters rescued all of the pets housed there.

The muscle cars represent the annual Greenwood Car show, a summer tradition here.
 

There are a few whiners of course. 'Why the graffiti-type design?' and 'Surely it will encourage tagging and more graffiti?' to 'Why did the firefighter have to be white?' They're far outnumbered by the rest of us who appreciate the effort to bring a little good into a bad situation. Thanks to the artists for their labor of love.

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