Erin Kollar

Art making is a way to bring people together, spark empathy and create joy.

When we are working on a shared project, there is a practice of looking at each other, listening and exercise bravery of sharing ideas out loud.

The heart of my work is collaborative projects in that space. I have the honor to work with people of all ages on projects throughout the last several years.

I have been an active teaching artist over the last 4 years with Delridge Neighborhood Development Association which has allowed me to have the tools, funding, and community support to facilitate these projects.

Cicada Dreams Container Mural in process

Topographical Story Map: 18 ft map of our neighborhood of Delridge, over 100 people from the neighborhood came to add 3d symbols to places of significance to them. This project highlighted Longfellow Creek- a salmon bearing creek that runs through the center of West Seattle. People shared that they didn’t even know Longfellow creek was there until seeing this map.

Cicada Dreams: Collaborative Container Mural added to by residents of Delridge Neighborhood at a forest restoration event. I created the base design and the conditions for people to paint by numbers so that they could engage with a huge painting. The reason I chose a cicada was because this was the year that the broods of cicadas with different dormancy times were waking up at the same time as each other. The next time this cicada event where they are waking up at the same time would occur is in 75 years. Participants were asked to consider what world they wanted to live in 75 years from now. Artmaking was a way to spark conversations about future hopes and dreams for our community.

Community Benches in Rainer Vista: I facilitated summer youth programs with Seattle Housing Authority where I collaborated with residents young and old to paint the benches in their central park. Each week, we would come together and design and make progress on adding more color and joy to the park benches. Students felt like their choices were honored and that they mattered.

Merlantis is a community built, interactive exhibit space dedicated to bringing attention to our oceans. Through our narrative art we draw attention to the damaging effects of commodification and rampant capitalism on our planet, additionally normalizing LGBTQIA viewpoints through performance art. We hope this art will make the world safer for those who seek non-normative approaches to life and gender, and encourages self-reflection on how to create a healthier world. I Worked on the mixed media mural at the entrance of the space as well as other sculpture pieces throughout the exhibit.