July 5, 2017

Kirkland seeks art from old ferry parts

Photo from the city of Kirkland [enlarge]

The city paid about $60,000 in 2015 for pieces of the Kalakala.

The city of Kirkland wants an artist to turn salvaged pieces of the old Kalakala ferry into an art installation. Qualifications are due by July 14, according to a notice in the June 23 DJC.

The 276-foot ferry was built at Lake Washington Shipyards, which is now Carillon Point in Kirkland.

The Kalakala began service in 1935 and carried cars across Puget Sound until 1967. In the days before the Space Needle, the silver art deco style vessel was the postcard symbol of Seattle, according to an Associated Press story.

Later the ferry was used for fish processing in Alaska and then returned to Puget Sound, but plans to restore it never generated with enough money. The ferry was demolished in 2015, with some pieces saved for souvenirs.

The city paid about $60,000 that year for pieces of the Kalakala, including the wheelhouse, portholes, car doors, railings, rudder rim and window frames.

In a press release, the city calls the ferry an icon of the mid-twentieth century.

“From the outset, the Kalakala was recognized for many notable characteristics including its art deco design, streamlined structure and the first commercial radar system,” according to the city, which notes that the Kalakala was featured in the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

Up to four artists or artist teams will be selected to present art concepts. With input from the public and other stakeholders, the Kalakala Committee and Cultural Arts Commission will make a recommendation to City Council on which artist concept to pursue.

The city has not decided where the art will go or set an installation date. Among the potential sites are the waterfront and the Cross Kirkland Corridor.