The Miller Community Center Solar Microgrid Project
In 2021-22, Miller Community Center in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood became home to a new solar microgrid and to “Connected Community,” a permanent wall-mounted sculpture. Please scroll down to see how the sculpture was designed, built, and installed.
“Connected Community”
March 2022: Installation
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January 2022: Packing and Crating
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Fall 2021: Painting and Riveting
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August 2021: Fabrication Phase begins
My proposal was approved (with a few minor edits) so I’m officially up to my elbows in fabrication! Step one is bending the forms and as of today I’ve done about a quarter of them. I’m using temporary rivets during bending and hole-punching; I’ll insert the permanent rivets after I apply a coat of paint. I am so grateful to be working on this in a spacious studio instead of an apartment bedroom!
The “welcome” piece for the main entrance.
A section of the south wall sculpture (borrowed chihuahua for scale).
Marigold representing Day of the Dead activities at Miller.
Basketball hoop / flower.
February 2021: Design Proposal
Atrium West wall (framing opening in wall)
Atrium North wall
Atrium East wall
Atrium South wall
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This smaller piece will be installed over the main entrance on the second floor.
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December 2020: Materials
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The design will be fabricated from thin strips of steel that will be bent, drilled, and riveted. Color will be applied by paint or powdercoat.
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January 2021: Design Vocabulary
This design vocabulary will allow a diverse range of themes, activities, and stakeholders to be combined into a larger design. The core icon represents the sun, the familiar yellow circle but with an internal curve that alludes to the collection of solar energy. The other designs derive from the sun icon and are based on community input.
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These icons represent natural resources and cycles.
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These icons represent Miller's cultural, recreational, and educational activities.
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The color scheme will be rainbow colors based on Miller's existing paintwork.
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May, 2020: Project Introduction
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WHO
Seattle artist Julia Harrison is working with the Office of Arts & Culture, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Parks and Recreation to develop an interior permanent site-specific artwork as part of a solar microgrid project at the Miller Community Center. Input from past and present MCC users and staff is a key component of this design process. If you are part of the Miller community, please consider participating by filling out the survey below or by attending a design meeting (in July, dates TBA). WHAT The Solar Microgrid project is an innovative new technology that will provide power to the community center in emergencies events such as windstorms or unplanned power outages. The solar panels will be installed on the roof, and a small exterior area surrounded by a fence will house the batteries and micro-controllers. For more information about solar microgrid project, please visit seattle.gov/light/atwork or send your questions to SCl_Microgrid@seattle.gov. The commissioned artwork will be installed inside the community center and will reflect the solar microgrid project, SCL’s goals for solar sustainability, and community of MCC patrons and users. WHERE Located at 330 19th Avenue East, the Miller Community Center is surrounded by Miller Playfield and next to Meany Middle School. The MCC provides Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with facilities and services including a gym, basketball court, playground, meeting rooms, and recreational and enrichment activities for visitors of all ages. Unique programs include a Korean seniors club, LGBTQ+ fitness and recreation, middle school teen activities and a robust volleyball program and other sports. The MCC is already home to several artworks, including a sculptural fountain dedicated to Ron K. Bills. WHEN The design phase for this project began in July with research and public outreach. A design will be finalized and submitted for approval by the end of October. Fabrication will start immediately following design approval, with installation anticipated in early spring 2021. You can follow the progress of the project on this webpage. |
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DESIGN PHASE
This art project aims to involve and reflect as many of Miller Community Center’s patrons as possible. Please consider participating in one or more of these ways:
1. complete a short survey (below)
2. attend an online public meeting:
Tuesday, August 11, 4:30-5 pm
Monday, August 17, 12-12:30 pm
Please RSVP to MillerCenterArt@gmail.com for the Zoom meeting link.
3. share your Miller Community Center stories and photos (to MillerCenterArt@gmail.com)
4. create new images based on your Miller experiences; try the fun, easy sketching activity in the video below
1. complete a short survey (below)
2. attend an online public meeting:
Tuesday, August 11, 4:30-5 pm
Monday, August 17, 12-12:30 pm
Please RSVP to MillerCenterArt@gmail.com for the Zoom meeting link.
3. share your Miller Community Center stories and photos (to MillerCenterArt@gmail.com)
4. create new images based on your Miller experiences; try the fun, easy sketching activity in the video below
COMMUNITY MEMBER SURVEY
Your input is an important part of the design process! I'm interested in hearing about how you use the Miller Community Center, and about your experiences there. Please consider filling out the survey below and feel free to share this survey with former Miller Community Center patrons who may have left the area.
Thank you!
Thank you!