Hydrants of South Renton
Community artists have been "adopting" fire hydrants within the South Renton neighborhood and transforming these everyday objects into art
South Renton Neighborhood Location
The South Renton Neighborhood includes downtown Renton and the community just south
The Program
The South Renton Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, is adding some flair to its neighborhood in unsuspecting spots. Community artists have been "adopting" fire hydrants within the South Renton neighborhood and transforming these everyday objects into incredibly unique works of art.
Each hydrant features a one of a kind design created and implemented by local artists whose proposed designs were reviewed and accepted by a Selection Committee made up on South Renton neighbors.
The goal of this program is to embrace the artistic talents of local individuals while displaying creative artwork throughout the community.
There is no specific theme for the program, though artists are encouraged to incorporate the character and history of the surrounding environment and neighborhood into their artwork.
The Selection Committee is still reviewing proposals, so get your application in today! Visit rentondowntown.com/hydrants for more information.
The Launch
Engineer George was the first hydrant to launch the program. Sybil McIntyre, a South Renton resident, was the first to try her hand at this new medium and set the bar high for the following artists.
The support from the City's Water Department is what earned George his name. Renton's Water Maintenance Manager, George Stahl, has led the charge on the project and made each installation possible. The department delivers cleaned hydrants to each artist so they can paint in the comfort of their own studios and then picks them up and very gingerly installs them back in the neighborhood.
The hydrants are about 150 lbs. Sybil said it took two public works employees to lift it onto her front porch, and then her and her husband’s combined strength to drag it into the living room. This project has been the effort of a number of community members, artists, residents and city employees. We hope you enjoy your tour!
Hydrant Tour North
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Hydrant Tour South
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Get Involved
The South Renton Neighborhood Association*, in collaboration with the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, is seeking artists to participate in an exciting new public art campaign! Interested artists will be permitted to “adopt” fire hydrants within the South Renton neighborhood and create artistic designs for them. Applications are open to all who are interested.
The goal of this program is to embrace the artistic talents of local individuals while displaying creative artwork throughout the community.
There is no specific theme for this program, though artists are encouraged to incorporate the character and history of the surrounding environment and neighborhood into their artwork.
The program is free and open to the public. Due to the popularity of the program, the original limit to 20 hydrants has been removed and the program will continue until the neighborhood runs out of hydrants…or artists!
Selected artists will receive $300 per hydrant to cover the cost of materials, supplies and design fees.
Applicants are welcome to submit multiple designs for consideration.
Submit your proposal today! For more information check out the full application here .
Hydrant Prep for Art
