In test run last December a single projector showed some brief animations and graphics on the wall of the Alaska House in the West Seattle Junction. Next holiday season the plan, funded by a Department of Neighborhoods grant, is to use three projectors to fill the whole wall with community generated art.
Photo courtesy West Seattle Junction Association
In a growing tradition, with the goal of putting West Seattle holiday lights on the map, the West Seattle Junction Association was just awarded a $29,500 grant to create an artificial intelligence projection light show as part of the annual tree lighting ceremonies.
"This past season I was watching the tree lighting and I was looking at the wall of the Alaska House (the senior living facility on 42nd SW0 and i realized we had a huge blank canvas," said West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA) Executive Director Chris Mackay. Her vision was to employ a series of projectors that would put pictures, animations, and other images on the wall as part of the ceremonies. Using some aspect of artificial intelligence the projectors will show ideas and art work submitted to the WSJA by the public. That art will be shown for one week after the festival.
But that's not all. The previous success of the Glorious Lights of West Seattle (GLOWS) that featured both paid costumed artists and members of the public as part of an illuminated costume contest means it will return.
The entire event is being restaged as well with the stage moving to face south from it's new location on 42nd SW. Entrances to the parking lot on 42nd SW and the entrance to QFC will remain open. The Night Market will then straddle 42nd along Alaska Street. Both Alaska Street SW and 42nd Street SW will be blocked off for the one night event.
The process of finding live music, the company to produce the projection elements and more are going out for bid soon.
