Snohomish County community is filled with wondrous and mesmerizing natural beauty. From the ever-greens of the tree lines, the crystal clear blue waters, and the diverse array of creatures who share this home with us, there’s a picture-perfect backdrop no matter where you go in our region. To complement the area’s natural beauty, there are plenty of equally beautiful murals within Snohomish County inspired by those very backdrops.
A Mother’s Love
100 5th Ave. N, Edmonds
Installed in 2018, the mural on the south-facing wall of Sound Styles was created by Jake Wagoner and titled A Mother’s Love. The piece was inspired by the mother and calf orcas of the J pod, a pod of orcas that Whale Trail has been keeping track of. Wagoner himself holds a background in environmental graphic design, making him the perfect candidate to create such a masterpiece manifesting a deeper meaning that he hopes will inspire all those who gaze upon it.
Before Edmonds
Main St. alley between 4th & 5th Ave., Edmonds
A pair of murals give local community members a glimpse of what a day on Edmonds’ waterfront may have looked like when it was inhabited by the region’s first residents with local Native American tribes. The murals are titled Before Edmonds in conjunction with their depictions and were a collaboration between muralist Andy Eccleshall and Native American artist and member of the Tulalip tribes Ty Juvinel.
Together they worked to create an accurate representation of what life is like for the Salish people in these beautiful works of art. The mural facing the west depicts a scene looking west towards the Olympic Mountains at sunset with a fishing party out on the water, while the mural facing east depicts the beach before Edmonds existed as a town, showcasing its untouched beauty before the city was created.
Rise Everett
26th & Colby downtown, Everett
Recently our Snohomish County’s lively city of Everett got in on the mural action, hosting “Going All City NW” for the 2022 year. The city welcomed over 150 graffiti artists who worked on 30 different murals, all while competing, teaching, explaining, and sharing their skills with the public. One such mural from the special event is the blazing Rise Everett mural made unique by the event’s main organizer Hyper.
This beautiful work of art depicts a mighty Phoenix rising with a landscape portraying Port Gardner Bay to the Cascade Mountains. Accompanying the creative image representing the fair city of Everett is the wording “We can make it here” under the Rise Everett’s unique font.
Snohomish Veteran’s Mural
1201 1st St., Snohomish
Located on the outer walls of the American Legion Post 96 in the Snohomish community is a vibrant work of art honoring our fallen veterans. The Snohomish Veteran’s Mural, created by Monroe and David Hose, stands at 10 feet tall and 30 feet long and pays tribute to each branch of the military in an expansive turquoise sky. This war memorial mural includes six scenes dating from WWI and journeys through the wars our country has encountered, with the last scenes depicting images of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Species of the Westside
Olympic Hill, Arlington
What was once a draft stretch of concrete wall on Olympic Hill has been turned into a lively work of art by Harry Engstrom, now known as the Species of the Westside. This now 285-foot-long mural showcases a wide variety of native species to Puget Sound, depicting over 400 different types of plants, animals, insects, and birds.
Since its creation in 2003, it has become a brilliant representation of the beloved Snohomish County’s local wildlife and a delightful piece that community members can interact with in a quick game of “where’s Waldo?” if you’re looking for a specific something within the artwork. Harry himself is accredited with numerous other works in the Arlington community, including the Stilly Valley Victorian Farm Scene and Stream Life of the Stillaguamish River.
Grateful Steward
20915 61st Ave. W, Lynnwood
Also showcasing a colorful array of plants and animals native to Snohomish County’s Lynnwood area is the elegant piece known as Grateful Steward. The piece, created by local artist Gabrielle Abbot, draws inspiration from Native American beliefs regarding the land and how it is our duty to care for it as it has cared for us.
Abbott was commissioned by the city, who was more than happy with the piece’s outcome, which they believe showcases the South Lynnwood neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity. This beautiful masterpiece now brings positivity to all who pass it, reminding us how we are intricately connected to the plants and animals that make up the Earth.
All these murals and more can be found within Snohomish County, each one providing yet another beautiful backdrop to match our region’s already mesmerizing natural beauty.
