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Photo of one of the Eight Paths of Light poles with lantern and original fabric banner (2013)

Highway 99 International District Light Pole Banners

The final design element of an Economic Development and Cultural Services project was at long last completed this past summer when artist-designed permanent light pole banners were installed in the Edmonds International District.

The district is home to a vibrant mix of international businesses and populations including Asian, Hispanic, Native American, and Eastern European, among other cultures. The goal of the enhancement project was to create a distinctive and welcoming landmark reflecting the character of the district while improving street and pedestrian lighting.

Seattle artist Pam Beyette’s installation, “Eight Paths of Light”, installed in 2013, included 8 pedestrian level lanterns. The project used the image of a lantern to evoke culturally specific symbols of light, celebration, harmony and joy, creating a welcoming visual along Highway 99 in Edmonds.

The project was developed in stages over multiple years with funding from several Federal Highway Enhancement grants. Ultimately, 14 custom light poles with pedestrian elements were installed on the east side of the highway. Smaller light poles were installed on the west side. 

Light Pole Banners



Fabric banners welcoming drivers and pedestrians to the International District were installed above the lanterns on each of the 14 poles. However, the fabric banners were soon damaged by the elements and subsequently removed in 2016.

A plan to replace the fabric banners with permanent artist-designed laser cut metal banners was approved by the Arts Commission with an allocation of matching funds from the restricted Municipal Arts Fund. The permanent banner project was then included with the current Highway 99 Restoration Project. 

The Artists and Permanent Banner Designs

In 2023, five Puget Sound area artists were selected through a public art selection process from an applicant group of 21 to design the banners. Fourteen banners were fabricated and installed this past summer.

From left to right:

Romson Regarde Bustillo: Tam-is ug maaslom nga yuta (Sweet and Sour Land - stylized profile figures with a spoon and a fork). Spoons and forks symbolize prosperity and abundance in many Southeast Asian and Pacific cultures.

Rebecca Elyanow: Dogwood and Kingfisher and Sandpipers on Wire. Sandpipers' design is inspired by the fusion of coastal Edmonds and the urban International District. Dogwood's design celebrates immigration with the migratory Belted Kingfisher that frequents Edmonds waterfront and the Kousa Dogwood, a native to Asia.

Stuart Nakamura: Guardian of Puget Sound (dragon) and Edmonds Flora (flower and vine). Both designs reference textile weaving or print patterns of Hispanic and Japanese cultures.

June Sekiguchi: When the Clouds and Rain Roll In. A representation of the Pacific Northwest's weather system in the style of the artist's Asian heritage.

Gabrielle Wildheart: The Mother Tree and Heron. Both designs celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Northwest landscape and marine ecology.

Opportunities

Visual Arts

ArtDeadine.Com and the Access Arts® Network is dedicated to the world wide distribution of information for artists and contemporary art institutions.

CaFÉ, a program of Creative West strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply.

EntryThingy for Artists: browse a list of all current calls, manage your artwork, share galleries and a website, edit your profile and review your entries in all calls.

SeattleArtists.com Call for Art online forum lists visual art opportunities from around the Puget Sound region.

Performing Arts

Ballyhoo Theatre auditions, email ballyhoo.theatre@gmail.com

Cascade Symphony Orchestra's (CSO) audition information: cascadesymphony.org/auditions
CSO's Rising Star youth audition information: cascadesymphony.org/rising-star-competition/

Edmonds Driftwood Players audition notices are found here: edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org/auditions

Edmonds Phoenix Theatre's audition request form is available here: tptedmonds.org/contact.html

Olympic Ballet Theatre company audition information is here: olympicballet.org/about-obt/employment

Seattle Professional Instrumentalists Auditions & Job Network Facebook Group lists opportunities for musicians

Theatre Puget Sound lists performance-related jobs and audition listing, as well as other information about the theater community in Puget Sound.

Literary Arts

For the Love of Writing website features a Writer Opportunity page: flowauthors.com/writers-list-of-opportunities.

Poets & Writers and Writer's Digest both feature opportunity pages which include open contests, awards, as well as grants for writers.

All Disciplines

Artist Trust, a Seattle-based nonprofit, posts opportunities from around the globe in all genres: Literary, Media, Film, Video, Photography, Visual and Performance.

Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Opportunities page lists various opportunities, plus job openings.

Snohomish County Arts Commission Opportunities page lists opportunities around Snohomish County.

Submittable is a Call to Artists and Grant application platform used by many arts organizations and government agencies, including ArtsWA, City of Seattle and Edmonds Arts Commission.

The City of Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC) ensures the arts are integral 
to our community's quality of life, economic vitality, and central identity.

Continuing in 2026, per City of Edmonds ordinance, non State mandated Edmonds commissions and boards remain on pause. However, commissions may hold periodic "Special Meetings" with permission. Notice of a Special Meeting will be posted on the City's website and on the EAC web site: edmondsartscommission.org

The EAC Arts Bulletin is a quarterly newsletter featuring the programs and activities of the Cultural Services division supported by the EAC. The newsletter includes a listing of regional artist opportunities and highlights the Edmonds arts community. The Arts Bulletin is published in January, March/April, June, and September, with a special holiday edition in November.

2026 Commissioners

Richard Chung, Chair

Katie Leute, Vice Chair

Harry Kirchner, WOTS Chair

Beth Henkes

Megan Joplin

Alex Leggett

Robby London

Sarah Paust, Student Representative

Cultural Services

Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist