Public art unites. It beautifies. It tells stories and builds common ground. We believe that art is of great value to the community, and we invest in art throughout the community.
From simple signal box wraps to large-scale sculptures and murals, public art takes many shapes and sizes. All of our diverse pieces share one purpose: to make you proud to live in Lakewood. The Lakewood Arts Commission makes recommendations to City Council about the installation of art.
Art Receptions
Lakewood honors local artists by hosting artist receptions at City Hall. For each event, artists hang their artwork at City Hall for a limited time. Then, we host the public on a special reception night to meet the artists, enjoy light snacks, and admire the art. Join us at the next event.
Upcoming Receptions
MP Auto Photography Art Gallery
Who: MP Auto
Date: Monday, July 20, 2026
Time: 5p.m. -7 p.m.
Location: Lakewood City Hall – 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
Check out some incredible car show photography and chat with local car show experts. The artwork will be displayed from July 1 to September 30 at City Hall. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the show curator, MP Auto, and even register for the Bombs Away Car Show at SummerFEST.
Past Art Receptions
Whispers of Korean
Who: Korean-American Artists Association of Washington State
Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Time: 5p.m. -7 p.m.
Location: Lakewood City Hall – 6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
Whispers of Korean brings together artists of the Korean-American Artists Association of Washington (KAAW) in a collective exploration of cultural memory, identity, and artistic expression. Through diverse visual approaches inspired by both traditional and contemporary influences, the participating artists share personal narratives while honoring their shared cultural roots.
“Culture Clash: Art Edition“
Date: April 7, 2025
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW
This one-of-a-kind artist reception will feature works of local artists ranging in age from 8 to 80 years old who are part of the Hwa Sil Studio. Main artist Kellis Parlett is from Seoul, South Korea. She has dedicated her life to the exploration and creation of modern and traditional art forms. Her work reflects her desire to seek hidden, overlooked locations and transform them into artistic experiences. She redefines the boundaries of where and how art can exist.
Local musician Hyewon Kim will perform three pieces as part of the event. Her performances complement and co-mingle with the art on display. Kim is also from South Korea and holds a master’s degree in music, specializing in voice performance and choral conducting.
While there, enjoy traditional Korean refreshments including Korean moon bread, Korean snacks, herb cakes and traditional Korean drinks and teas. Local Korean Grocery Association and Boo Han Market are providing the culinary items for the event.
About the Artist: Kellis Parlett studied integrated art at Kaywon University of Art and Design and studied art and design at Hongik University, mastering a multi-disciplinary approach that harmonizes visual art with music, dance, photography, poetry and curation.
MLK Beloved Community Art Show
Date: March 2, 2026
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main Street SW
SHALOM ABURU
Shalom Aburu is a Ugandan mixed media artist whose work blends fabric, paint, and storytelling to explore emotion, memory, and the landscapes we carry within. Her pieces merge texture and color to create worlds that feel both intimate and expansive. Her favorite art piece is “Wings I Didn’t Ask For.”
SANDRA BOCAS
Sandra Bocas is a multi-media artist living in Olympia with a passion to contribute to the depth and richness of Puget Sound’s art scene. Sandra grew up in Trinidad having moved there with her family when she was five. She enjoyed an extensive career in fashion that spanned over 30 years becoming a highly skilled hair and make-up artist hired by Andy Warhol’s The Factory and Interview Magazine’s top celebrities and super-models.Sandra has always been fascinated by the character behind the mask, which is revealed in her array of bold portraits. Sandra’s style could be described as a blend of emotion and ‘soul expressionism’, which is particularly on display in her two portraits examining relationships. Likewise, the memories of the light and colors of Trinidad and Tobago, her mother’s birthplace, can be seen as THE influence in her play with color.
‘CHARDE’ BROWN
“Charde’ Brown (she/her) is a self-taught visual artist based in Auburn, Washington, and the creative force behind Mirrors of Melanin. Over the past five years, she has developed a powerful body of work using acrylics, mixed media, and soft/oil pastels to explore themes of emotional depth, mental health, and cultural identity. Her art often features expressive nudity and introspective symbolism, offering a raw and therapeutic lens into her personal journey as a Black woman and single mother. Inspired by her daughter, Brown also creates regal portraits of Black youth, celebrating their brilliance and affirming their place as future leaders and innovators. Through Mirrors of Melanin, Brown aims to create a sanctuary for those who feel unseen or misrepresented. Her work invites viewers to look beyond the surface and engage with the complexities of healing, empowerment, and emotional truth.”
MILES XAVIER BYRD
Miles Xavier Byrd is an artist from Tacoma, Washington’s Hilltop district. Named after Miles Davis and raised by jazz-loving parents, they were drawn early to abstraction through sound, texture, and pattern—from childhood experiments with bark rubbings and TV static to ink and stippling today. After their parents’ separation, Miles’ mother played a key role in nurturing their creativity. At 14, Miles began attending the Tacoma School of the Arts, where encouragement from graphic design teacher Cornelius Brudi helped them develop an interest in symbolism, logos, and simple forms—elements that continue to shape their abstract practice. After graduating in 2019, Miles worked as an educator at the Tacoma Art Museum, though a house fire and the COVID pandemic temporarily pulled them away from art. Returning to the museum reignited their creative spark and led to rapid artistic growth. Strongly influenced by Søren Solkær’s Black Sun series, Miles’ work explores murmurations as symbols of community and collective freedom, reflecting their belief that true freedom is found in what we create together.
LORRA JACKSON
Lorra Jackson creates idiosyncratic, figure-driven oil paintings that probe the complexities of identity, intimacy, and family dynamics. Her work, known for its emotional charge and nuanced surfaces, has been exhibited in New York and Chicago and collected nationally and internationally, including in New York, Chicago, Seattle, and China.
TYRESHA JONES-SMITH
I am an artist and interior designer born and raised in Seattle, Washington. What inspired my passion for art and design is personal interest to explore and illustrate vast ideas which has led to into my unique niche of creating dynamic art collection series. Showcasing one my most popular and favorite art pieces SUAVE, this series collection is one my most favorites as each painting (10 in counting) are capture the embodiment of elegance, feminine and the divine tapestry of highlighting of Black African woman. Much of my artwork comes from my inspired idea of envisioning “What type of interior spaces does my artwork reflect and live in?” as some art pieces within a collection have a dual functionality. Some of my art pieces are represented in diptych form (two paintings that make one) as the sole purpose is to give viewer to opportunity to enhance, arrange and the art on wall as a focal piece or wall accents, giving aesthetic arrangement to your space. In cultivating this niche, it has given birth to my signature style that I described as “Functuay” as it brings everything together. Your wall space, your interior space, your aesthetics.
RODNEY H. KING
My name is Rodney H. King, artist and owner of Kingspen LLC. My work celebrates the beauty and legacy of Black culture, drawing inspiration from hip hop, jazz, and basketball. Known for bold use of color, I create vibrant images that spark pride and nostalgia. My art has been featured by Komo, Public Display Art, Seattle Refined, PBS, Converge Media, Q13, King 5 Evening, the Renton Reporter, and more. Beyond my craft, I am a husband, father of three, and man of faith. Through every piece, I aim to spread love and honor the culture that shaped me. I am Kingspen.
EDIMBO LEKEA
Edimbo Lekea is a “Franco-Congolais” artist painter born in a small town of Creil, France. around the ages of 5 to 6, Edimbo developed his creative skill through various sketches. From there, it would be an on and off relationship. After moving to Kent, WA in 2003, Edimbo was exposed to so many different cultures. Within the African diaspora, there was a saying that Black folks didn’t know there history enough or at all. Being so fascinated with different sound in black music (from reggae, Rumba, Hip Hop, jazz, Old School R&B, zouk and other genre), Edimbo decided to take it upon himself to unearth the mystic of Black History, and merge it into the his Paintings. In 2015 that Edimbo started The NDI movement (Natty Dread Illustration) for 1 soul purpose, to create a sanctuary were African diaspora could find/learn about themselves. As of today, Edimbo is the founder of The KABULA ART EXHIBITION, a yearly event that celebrates congolese artists and their work (Next one is June 2026). He is also the Award recipient of the 2024 Black ARTISTS Exhibition at Tacoma Community College, a muralist, host workshop amongst other things.
KRISTEN “KCIE” MONK
Kristen “Kcie” Monk, based in Tacoma, Washington, is an artist and illustrator who specializes in all things fantasy and whimsy. She loves drawing mermaids, witches and fairies among other mythical creatures. Her medium of choice is primarily digital art but she is also very passionate about traditional techniques. Kcie is ambitious and always willing to experiment with mixed media. Her drawings are highly detailed, vibrantly colorful and picturesque.
DARRYL OWENS
My earliest memories were of gazing at certain album covers while seated between Mom and Dad. I suppose the intersection of Art and Music began here because of my”interest” in the liner notes and titles, never mind I couldn’t read either of them! I remember a conversation between my art and music teachers in junior high school that really inspired me. I asked them, “Well, why can’t do both Music and my Art?’ “Why not?” was their reply! So I set out to prove I might. Not all, but many of my themes revolve around musicians either I’ve admired or their instrumentation. I often try to capture a gesture or posture that intrigues me. I went on to obtain a Bachelors degree in Art at Western Washington University, with a concentration in Printmaking Fine Arts and Art History. Currently I’m on the faculty at Clover Park Technical College specializing in creating digital art in Graphic Design.
JONARRA SWANSON
Based in Seattle, Washington, contemporary artist Jonarra Swanson uses her creative practice to drive meaningful change, solve problems, and strengthen community bonds. With a passion for human connection, she delves into the intricate balance of self-expression and community connection, seeking to capture the profound essence of humanity. Her compelling work champions the idea that our universal human experience is the bedrock for equality, inviting viewers to perceive the inherent flow of connection among all people. Jonarra’s commitment to fostering connection extends beyond her personal art. She regularly teaches art to youth and adults, contributes to city murals, exhibits in group shows, and creates high-quality commissioned pieces. Further demonstrating her dedication to community and empowerment, Jonarra founded MUVA, a unique consignment retail space on the third floor of the Columbia Tower that supports creative mothers by giving them a vital platform to sell their work and expand their entrepreneurial ventures.
“Souls & Stories” Laurie Davenport and Sylví Estrella
Laurie featured the beautiful art she created, inspired by the people she sees in her community and beyond. Sylví showed portraits of extraordinary people along with a story from them or about them.
Pierce College Collection
In April faculty members of Pierce College displayed artwork, showcasing differing artistic styles and mediums.
Ron Snowden
In March local artist Ron Snowden showcased his art at Lakewood City Hall. Snowden has been painting watercolors for many years and enjoys time spent painting and teaching art. He is a member of the American Watercolor Society and a Signature Member of The Northwest Watercolor Society and has participated in many classes and workshops taught by artists whose work he admires, including watercolorists Alvaro Castagnet, Mary Gibbs, Stan Miller, Joe Garcia, Iain Stewart, Eric Wiegardt, Bev Jozwiak and Ron Stocke.
Signal Box Wraps
Large utility boxes are located next to traffic lights at many Lakewood intersections. While you’re stuck at a red light, why not enjoy a more pleasant view?
The City is sprucing up a series of boxes, fitting them with unique wraps made by local artists.
Public Art Projects
Colonial Plaza Gateway Arch
Colonial Plaza was renovated in 2019 to become a community centerpiece. On top of the cobbled street and classic architecture, sits a welcoming metallic gateway arc.
Metal strands etched with phrases from residents and community groups are entwined within the piece.
The sweeping steel arcs sit on the Gravelly Lake Drive entrance to Motor Avenue, inviting visitors to one of Lakewood’s community gathering places. Made from inch-thick curved steel plates, the pieces form a gateway. The larger stretches 50 feet wide and the smaller 34 feet. Both rise about 4 feet from the ground.
Aluminum “story strips” are found within the arc, each etched with quotes and memories gathered from the community. In Spring 2022, the city gathered phrases, quotes, and stories about life in Lakewood to include in the piece.
When walking Motor Avenue, people can read these stories and memories up close. From the street, the aluminum strips reflect a luminous glow through triangular cutouts.
The artwork was installed Jan. 25, 2023.
The Lotus Blossom
Designed and produced by artist Karsten Boysen, the Lotus Blossom was commissioned by the Lakewood City Council and the Lakewood Arts Commission in 2017.
Gallery
