Summary

Newcastle brick monument will be featured in renewed public space at Newcastle Commons.

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn announced today that Newcastle’s Community Activities Commission will receive $10,000 as part of the Building for Culture program approved by the County Council.

Building for Culture provides funds for renovations to existing cultural facilities in King County, and provides an opportunity to create new ones.

“The arts are fundamental to culture in King County,” said Dunn. “Too often these facilities are seen as non-essential when they are anything but. The Building for Culture program is incredibly important, and I am glad these deserving candidates are receiving the funds they need to upgrade their institutions.”

“The Newcastle brick monument is a cherished piece of public art in our city,” said Newcastle City Manager Rob Wyman. “It serves as an important reminder of our rich, coal mining history and simultaneously pays homage to the former Mutual Materials brick plant. The sign’s new location at the Newcastle Commons gives passersby a much closer view at the ornate details carved into the structure. This grant will really make a difference in transforming that spot into a welcoming space where the community can gather and learn more about Newcastle history.”

The Newcastle Community Activities Commission will receive $10,000 to create a park-like setting around an elaborate brick sign, which doubles as a piece of public art, made from bricks fabricated at the plant previously located within the Newcastle Commons development.

Carvings located on the outward facing side of each leg portray the early mining history of Newcastle and gold lettering spells out “Newcastle.” The funding will be used to place two interpretive signs next to the installment; one that will highlight the artist, Mara Smith, and the historical aspect of the carving, and one that will focus on the history of the Mutual Materials brick plant. Two benches, a walkway, landscaping and lighting will also be installed to create a park-like atmosphere.

Building for Culture is a partnership between King County and 4Culture, King County’s cultural services agency, using bonds backed by the hotel-motel tax to build, maintain, expand, preserve, and improve new and existing cultural facilities.

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