AUG. 1 UPDATE & SLIDESHOW:

Mural artist Augustina Droze finds some shade and talks to the Highline Times about her colorful 160-by-15-foot mural on the western wall of the Burien Dollar Tree building at 4th Ave. SW & SW 151st that began July 16.

What the mural depicts

"There are like these circular meditations based on photographs I took in this area, things I saw when i came to visit, the nature, the urban life. That's why the bicycle tires. In the center there will be rhododendrons, shells, different circular formations for a calming zen sort of feeling.

"The hands represent the water that surrounds the town. You will see as it moves on. There will be waves forming, big blue waves in the background. The background patterns were designed by local children. I'm given a lot of freedom to design and do things that speak to me and I think that's how artists make their best work.

Her creative career involves travel, & a lot of it

"I have lived in Detroit, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Chicago, and now Buffalo. My undergraduate degree is in business. But I went to the School for Creative Performing Arts in Cincinnati. It was great. 'Taking the Stage' is a musical reality show on MTV based on the school.

"I just came from Cleveland. I did a mural across the street from their historic West Side Market. Last year I did a project in Nagpur, India. It was on the side of a cultural arts building. It had black and white faces of tribal people, artisans, dancers. I worked with local artist who helped me accurately capture the background folk art. It was a different experience (than the US.) They have different tools. The people there were wonderful, very hardworking, eager to come and learn from me. The street was dusty with cows wandering by. I love India. I go there a lot. The more work I can do there the better."

Check out her website with samples of her public, commercial, and residential art here.
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Press release:

Saturday, August 4th, 6-7:30pm
Burien Dollar Tree Back Parking Lot at 4th Ave. SW & SW 151st

The community is invited to meet artist Augustina Droze and learn more about the mural she is creating on the Dollar Tree wall across from the Burien Library. Funded by the City of Burien 1% for Art Fund, the mural will bring a new focal point to our city. The work is being created by Augustina and a fabulous group of community volunteers.

Come by to learn more about the mural process, have some cake provided by the Dollar Tree, find your own creativity with a hands-on art project, and meet Bucky the Dollar Tree Mascot!

For more information please call Burien Parks and Recreation at 206-988-3700.
Event is weather permitting.