On June 12, North Seattle College unveiled a new mural celebrating the life, work, and activism of James Baldwin. The mural, located on the south wall of the library’s third floor, joins six other murals featured on the college’s campus.
The James Baldwin mural was created by students enrolled in the spring quarter Mural Art course, taught by faculty member Kelda Martensen. The students collaborated on the design with professional artist Yvonne Ferguson, gaining hands-on experience in mural execution, budgeting, design, and community engagement.
“In her statement of interest in the project, Yvonne’s inspiration for the mural was a reflection of the respect, admiration, and continued influence of James Baldwin’s life work and social commentary,” Martensen said. “In the mural, she combines elements of Baldwin’s life, personal triumphs, challenges, travel, and gifts.”
The mural’s imagery reflects the transnational impact of Baldwin’s work, offering a holistic view of this historical figure. Baldwin, a writer and civil rights activist, is best known for his semi-autobiographical novels and plays that address race, politics, and sexuality. Ferguson’s design includes Baldwin’s passport photo, the Istanbul landscape, a portrait of him at his Istanbul apartment, the Eiffel Tower to represent his cherished time in France, Harlem brownstones from his hometown, and a store entrance sign from his visit to Durham, NC.
North Seattle College’s mural program, initiated in 2014, aims to celebrate the college’s iconic campus architecture, cultural diversity, and its place on indigenous land. Each new mural project pairs students in Martensen’s ART 204: Mural Art course with the design of a professional artist.
