Tacoma artist Curtis Ashbyacoma artist Curtis Ashby wants people to notice more of the nature around them—even in the middle of the city. That idea runs through his public art, which often features the plants and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.
One of Ashby’s recent murals is at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. He told the Weekly Volcano that, after noticing hospital windows facing the mural, he began thinking about the children who might see it while spending time inside. Then a group of kids walked by, spotted the painted birds and called out “penguins.”
Ashby has also been getting more interested in birdwatching, sharing what he learns in videos on Instagram. It’s another way he encourages people to tune in to the birds and wildlife already around them.
The Weekly Volcano’s profile of Ashby offers more about how he got started in Tacoma’s mural scene and what he hopes people take away from his work..
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