SARAH KAVAGE

I’m a Seattle based visual artist and cultural organizer who makes ephemeral art about place. 

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PAINTING & DESIGN


SARAH KAVAGE

I’m a Seattle based visual artist who makes artwork about place. 

HOME
ABOUT
PAINTING & DESIGN

GREEN RIVER FAMILY

2023
with DirtCorps and Nicoterra Trails

Crew: Al, Andrew, Cesar, Danielle, Fedora, Jose, Kimberly, LaToya,  Roseann

This project supported by a McMillen Foundation artist fellowship

Thanks to
Beacon Food Forest, the City of Tukwila, King County, Seattle CityLight

Photos
Roseann Barnhill, Jason Neuerberg, Sarah Kavage


Once you go upstream 10 miles or so, the Duwamish River becomes the Green, a legacy of all the engineering of regional watersheds. Once upon a time, the Cedar, the Green, the White, and the Black Rivers all drained into the Duwamish. The Black mostly dried up when the cutting of the Ship Canal lowered Lake Washingon by 9 feet. The Cedar was diverted to drain into Lake Washington. A flood caused the White River to divert south. What is now left is one river with two names.

These living willow sculptures along the riverbank were created in partnership with DirtCorps and Nicoterra Trails, as part of DirtCorps’ ongoing restoration of this site. The sculptures expand the restoration area and call attention to the important work being done to create better habitat along the river. Not only will the work grow and change through the years and the seasons, but the restoration will continue to expand.

And, lastly, when people from around these parts hear the words "Green River" there is one additional word that comes to mind. Of course it's not the river's fault that one person chose to do horrible things along it, but the river is still blamed and feared because of it. During our build, we talked about the distinct personality of each piece as the work emerged, and how it related to the rest of the group, as if it were a family. So it felt right to put a new third word after "Green River" as a way to create a different future for the river and the chosen family that cares for it.

Visit
13046-10646 Green River Trail, Tukwila, WA 98188
Between the Green River Trail and the River, just south of Strander Boulevard.



------ THE BUILD, DAY BY DAY ------

DAY 1 - TUESDAY 3/21

DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 3/22
DAY 3 - THURSDAY 3/23


DAY 4 - FRIDAY 3/24


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