Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Port of Olympia is planning to create a huge mural on the marine terminal warehouse building.
The scale of the project is so immense that the Olympia Art Space Alliance, the port’s partner for the project, claims it would be one of the biggest murals on the West Coast.
The Port of Olympia Commission met on Monday, July 14, to hear about the proposed artwork.
Port Director of Community and Economic Development Mike Reid told commissioners the idea of painting a mural on the warehouse came about from plans to repaint the building. The warehouse has not been repainted since it was built in 1985.
Reid said when the idea was brought to him, he reached out to the Olympia Art Space Alliance, which he worked with on various beautification projects during his time with the City of Olympia.
Daniell Ruse, Chair of the Olympia Artspace Alliance Board, explained to commissioners that their group aims to provide low-barrier opportunities for artists to find work. The group is responsible for various murals in downtown Olympia, including the “You Are Not Alone” mural at Plum Street YMCA.
Olympia Artspace Alliance Program Manager Mariella Luz said the group envisions five murals in total for the warehouse building, each costing $12,000.
They anticipate starting the work in August so they could complete two murals this year and three next year. Several artists and youths would contribute to the work.
It was Luz who said the project may be one of the largest murals on the West Coast. The mural would be big enough to be visible from Port Plaza and all the way across West Bay Drive.
Joe Seymour will be the artistic lead of the project.
Seymour is a local artist of Squaxin Island and of Mexican descent. Some of his recent work includes the “Welcome to Squaxin Territory” and “Land of the Raven” murals at the La Lurana building near Percival Landing. He also created the large, metal, illuminating salmon on the Views on Fifth building by Capitol Lake.
Seymour explained the concept of the mural for the marine terminal involves pop-art style postcards that incorporate indigenous names of places. He said the murals would allow people to learn what the name of the area was before it was colonized and serve as a reminder of the continuing presence of indigenous people.
“It pays more than just lip service than like the regular land acknowledgement,” Seymour said.
He added that the mural would include indigenous images, and is even considering a sasquatch version of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Vitruvian Man."
Luz added the mural would also depict the port's history, emphasizing that its creation would be a collaborative process rather than Seymour’s sole vision.
Commissioner Amy Evans Harding said she was excited for the project and appreciated how the project is “advocating for the marine terminal.”
“Not everyone thinks industrial lands are cool like I do. You're taking industrial lands and you're activating them with a different community lens,” she said.
However, Evans Harding also acknowledged a concern that the port could use its money elsewhere instead of funding the mural.
Reid said the port had already budgeted funds to repaint the site entirely gray anyway. He implied the cost of the murals would not be as expensive as one would think, but didn’t have exact numbers as to how it compares to simply repainting the building.
Commissioners did not make any decision about the mural during the meeting. Reid said he would eventually return with a contract and scope of work for the project.
9 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Snevets
Fantastic!!
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
Buffie
How can I help? I'd love to be part of the painting crew...
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
wildnature
Yes! Fantastic!
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
NewToOly
I think Joe Seymour has New Mexican heritage (Acoma Pueblo)...not Mexican!
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
BobJacobs
The Marine Terminal has lost many millions of dollars over the years and continues to do so. We taxpayers make up the losses, meaning we are subsidizing the wealthy shippers using the Terminal. Shameful.
A soon as the Marine Terminal starts turning a profit, I'll be in favor of spending some of those profits on murals.
Bob Jacobs
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
sunshine39
So right, Bob
Thursday, July 17, 2025 Report this
jtafejian
I'm all in favor of the port sending some for this mural. It's going to help put Olympia in a good place. I'd like to help with the project too!
Friday, July 18, 2025 Report this
MamaBear
I'm with Bob Jacobs. Also, I'm thinking we don't need a city council any more. Just let the Squaxin Tribe run the city since they already are.
Friday, July 18, 2025 Report this
Chris_R
From what I can tell, this will only be seen through binoculars looking out from West Bay Drive. uhh,....boondoggle
Saturday, July 19, 2025 Report this