Public Art — Overview
Welcome to the Public Art section. Here, you’ll see how Kaa Shaayi applies Tlingit Formline design to public spaces. These works aim to bring Tlingit culture into everyday environments, from murals on city walls to designs on utility boxes.
Each piece tells a story rooted in Tlingit tradition while connecting with today’s community. Explore this page to learn about these projects and the ideas behind them.
To commission Kaa Shaayí for public art, please head over to the contact page form to initiate contact with me. I would love to connect about future projects.
For Mom — Overview
“For Mom” is Kaa Shaayí’s mural project, part of the OverAll Walls 2024 mural festival in Blaine, Washington. This eye-catching artwork serves as the seed for a potential art alley, offering a perfect backdrop for selfies and photos.
You’ll find “For Mom” tucked away in an alley next to the Blaine Arts Council Gallery at 922 Peace Portal Drive. To see it, park at the gallery and walk through the white vinyl fence on the right side of the building.
When I was asked to paint this mural, I knew I wanted to create something that would transform this overlooked space. I chose bold reds, magentas, pinks, and teal – colors that catch the eye and lift the spirit, even on gray Pacific Northwest days.
The mural features two main elements that are close to my heart: a healing heart and a hummingbird. I designed these using curvilinear Formline, the visual language of my Tlingit ancestors. For me, bringing these traditional designs into a modern, urban setting is a way of keeping our culture alive and relevant.
The name “For Mom” is deeply personal to me. While I am Tlingit through my father’s lineage, Tlingit culture is strongly matrilineal. My mother is non-Indigenous, which has led to challenges in establishing my identity as a Tlingit person. This experience has given me insight into the struggles many other Tlingit people face who have a patrilineal connection. The healing heart in the mural represents this journey and the healing that comes with understanding and accepting our complex identities.
The hummingbird symbolizes the freedom of my spirit’s connection with nature, bridging my Tlingit heritage with the world around us.
Creating this mural was a wonderful experience, largely due to the warm reception from the Blaine community. Many residents stopped to chat while I was working, giving me the opportunity to share my background and express how honored I felt to be selected for this project. These interactions reinforced for me the power of public art to create connections and foster understanding between cultures.
If you’re in Blaine, I’d love for you to experience this piece for yourself. It’s meant to be interactive – a backdrop for photos, a splash of color in your day, a moment of connection with Tlingit culture. If you do stop by, please share your photos! Tag me on Instagram @kaashaayi and the festival @overallwalls.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in this project. It means a lot to me to share our Tlingit designs with the wider community, and I hope “For Mom” brings a bit of joy and reflection to everyone who sees it.
Flukes Vision — Overview
“Fluke’s Vision” was my contribution to the 2nd annual Downtown Redmond Art Walk in 2024. This 8′ by 8′ mural was part of a unique live painting event, bringing Tlingit design into the heart of Redmond’s community celebration.
Picture this: It’s September 19, 2024, and Downtown Redmond is buzzing with energy. I’m standing in front of an 8′ by 8′ primed plywood panel, part of a cube shared with three other talented artists. We’re not just creating art – we’re performing it.
“Fluke’s Vision” draws on traditional Tlingit colors – bold red and black on a background reminiscent of yellow cedar. At its center is my signature “questioning eye,” surrounded by sweeping curvilinear forms that might be found in customary Tlingit designs. To me, the overall shape recalls the powerful fluke of a whale – hence the title.
I chose this abstract approach deliberately. At first glance, it might look like a contemporary design, but a closer look reveals many shapes used in traditional Formline art. I wanted to create something that would spark curiosity, encouraging viewers to engage with me about my Indigenous connections.
One of the most interesting aspects of this event was its temporary nature. The mural would only be on display for about four days, which saddened some onlookers. But I found joy in explaining that this was like a visual artist’s version of a live concert. You can buy recordings to keep, but there’s something special about being there in the moment. This perspective seemed to resonate with people, helping them appreciate the fleeting nature of the experience.
It was humbling to know I was painting over someone else’s work from the previous year, and that in the future, another artist would create over mine. There’s something beautiful about being part of this ongoing artistic conversation, each of us contributing to the evolving story of Redmond’s art scene.
Working alongside the other artists – Abigail Kirsten, Sasha Tai, and Soo Hong – was a highlight of the experience. The City of Redmond did an incredible job organizing the event, creating an atmosphere of creativity and community that was truly inspiring.
If you missed seeing “Fluke’s Vision” in person, I hope this description gives you a sense of what it was like. While the physical mural may be gone, the connections made and conversations started during those few days in September continue to ripple outward.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in this project. It’s experiences like these that remind me of the power of art to bring people together and spark meaningful dialogues about culture, tradition, and creativity.
Wisdoms Embrace — Overview
“Wisdom’s Embrace” is a mural I created for the Laurel Forest Village in Bellingham, Washington. This 5′ tall by 38′ wide piece adorns the concrete foundation of an affordable housing development for seniors, reflecting themes of dignity, inter-generational connections, and the rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
In May 2024, I had the honor of bringing “Wisdom’s Embrace” to life at 1000 N Forest St in Bellingham. This project, commissioned by Opportunity Council, was more than just a mural – it was a chance to visually represent the spirit of inter-generational learning and community that defines Laurel Forest Village.
The mural features a Formline-style spirit face – a human head atop the upper part of a torso, with arms stretched wide across the entire 38-foot span. This spirit face represents the wisdom of the senior residents. The outstretched arms symbolize the embrace of multiple generations, a visual metaphor for the connections created within this unique living space.
Within the embrace, you’ll find a lifecycle of salmon: eggs, alevin, fry, parr, smolt, and adult salmon. I chose salmon for their deep connection to the people of the Pacific Northwest, but also as a representation of life’s stages. The younger stages of salmon represent the children from the co-located childcare center and the broader community.
The color palette was a careful balance. I incorporated the bold reds and blacks traditional to Tlingit artwork, but also integrated colors used in the building itself. This blend of colors echoes the project’s goal of bridging generations and cultures.
Creating this mural on the concrete foundation presented its own unique challenges, but it was deeply rewarding to see the design come to life on such a grand scale. As I worked, I often thought about the conversations this piece might spark between the residents and the children, imagining the stories and wisdom that might be shared in its presence.
If you’d like to see “Wisdom’s Embrace” in person, you can find it by heading east on North Forest Street in Bellingham, then pulling into the parking lot on the east side of the building. The mural spans the north wall of the foundation.
This project was a powerful reminder of art’s ability to strengthen community bonds and bridge generations. It’s my hope that “Wisdom’s Embrace” will continue to inspire conversations, connections, and a sense of shared history among the residents of Laurel Forest Village and visitors alike.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in this mural. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of our Tlingit artistic traditions and their ability to speak to universal themes of wisdom, growth, and community.
Indigeversal Collective — Overview
In 2023, I had the opportunity to be part of something special – the Indigeversal Collective Mural project. This massive 150-foot wide mural adorns the field of Bellingham’s waterfront pump track, with the historic Granary Building as its backdrop.
In 2023, Kaa Shaayi participated in a significant collaborative art project This project brought together seven Indigenous artists, each of us bringing our unique cultural perspective and artistic style to the wall. My fellow artists were:
- Brian Perry (Port Gamble S’klallam)
- Jason LaClair (Lhaq’temish & Nooksack)
- Thayne Yazzie (Dine, Cherokee, & Mohawk)
- Savannah LeCornu (Tsimshian, Haida, & Nimiipuu)
- Free Eagle Borsey (Lhaq’temish)
- Kaplan Bunce (Apache)
For my section, I wanted to showcase traditional Tlingit Formline design elements while adding my own contemporary twist. I included my signature “Long in the Tooth” design – a variation on the Tlingit Spirit Face found in Formline designs.
If you look closely at my section, you’ll see that one side of the face appears as a profile when covered. The top of the lips curves up to form nostrils, and the bridge of the nose extends into the mask or eye orbits. A thin line separates the brow. Instead of the traditional “chicklet” style teeth, I used long, thin teeth – that’s where the “Long in the Tooth” name comes from.
One eye in the design contains what I call my “questioning eye.” This element reflects on the cultural disruption many of us have experienced and the need to view things from both Indigenous and contemporary perspectives.
Working on this project was a powerful experience. It was amazing to see how each artist’s unique style and cultural background came together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. The mural stands as a testament to the diversity and resilience of Indigenous art forms.
If you’re in Bellingham, I encourage you to visit the waterfront pump track and see this mural for yourself. It’s a striking visual representation of the ongoing dialogue between traditional Indigenous art forms and contemporary expression.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in this project. It’s collaborations like these that remind me of the strength and diversity of Indigenous art in our region.
Ancestral Spirit — Overview
In 2023, I had the opportunity to paint “Ancestral Spirits,” a 43-foot wide mural featuring Tlingit designs of a Kéet (Orca) and Cháak (Eagle). You can find this piece on the east wall of Kevin’s Car Wash in Ferndale, WA.
The main design of this mural is a Kéet (Orca), which I created after doing some research at the Burke Museum in Seattle. Inside the Orca, you’ll see a Cháak (Eagle). This isn’t just for looks – it’s a nod to the Tlingit Eagle moiety of Kevin Lee, the car wash owner.
I named this mural “Ancestral Spirits” because these animals hold significant spiritual and social importance in Tlingit culture. They’re more than just beautiful creatures – they’re connections to our heritage.
This project was special because it brought Tlingit art into a everyday setting. For Ferndale residents and local Tribal members who pass by, I hope this artwork offers a moment of recognition and connection to their heritage.
What made this project even more meaningful was the collaboration behind it. Kevin Lee and I are both enrolled Tlingit Alaska Natives, and we worked with the Ferndale Arts Commission to make this happen. It was part of Ferndale’s Downtown Mural Project, with funding from both the commission and Kevin Lee.
If you’re in Ferndale, I encourage you to stop by Kevin’s Car Wash and take a look. This mural is more than just decoration – it’s a cultural landmark, a piece of Tlingit heritage right there in the heart of the community.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in this mural. Projects like these are how I hope to make Tlingit art more accessible and encourage cultural understanding in our communities.
Boxhead Happy — Overview
In Ferndale, at the intersection of Douglas Rd. and Main Street near Bensons Market, you’ll find two traffic control boxes wrapped in my designs. These pieces, “Boxhead Happy” and a Formline chum salmon design, were selected by the Ferndale Arts Commission to bring art into everyday spaces and honor the local Native community.
When the Ferndale Arts Commission put out a call for artwork designs to wrap traffic control boxes throughout the city, I knew exactly where I wanted my work to be. I chose the location at 2254 Douglas Rd, Ferndale, WA 98248 for a specific reason – it’s on the way to Lummi Nation, my local Native community and a Tribe I deeply respect and am grateful for.
The first box features “Boxhead Happy,” my interpretation of a traditional bent box design. The character’s hands are turned inward, representing care and empathy. It’s a nod to our cultural heritage, reimagined in a contemporary context.
On the larger box next to it, you’ll see a Formline chum salmon design. I’ve used salmon in my work before, and here it represents the holistic connection between people and nature that’s so fundamental to Native cultures in this region. The bright blue-green color isn’t traditional, but I chose it to catch the eye of passersby, making sure our presence is noticed.
These designs are more than just decorative. They’re a visual reminder to the community that we, as Native people, are still here and an integral part of the local community. I dedicated these boxes to the Tribal youth of this region, hoping they’ll see themselves represented in the public art of their hometown.
Creating these designs was a way for me to honor Lummi Nation and all they do for our community. It’s my hope that as people drive by, whether they’re headed to Lummi Nation or just going about their day in Ferndale, these boxes will spark thought and conversation about the Native presence in our area.
If you’re in Ferndale, I encourage you to stop by and take a look. These boxes stand as a colorful testament to the ongoing story of Native people in this land, bridging our rich cultural traditions with the everyday life of a modern city.
Gunalchéesh (thank you) for your interest in these pieces. They represent my ongoing commitment to bringing Tlingit and broader Native art into public spaces, reminding everyone of the living, breathing Native cultures that continue to thrive here.