'Rise Above' in Edmonds: Teenage Artist Creates New On the Fence Project

Color and form emerged in the sunshine recently as Dustin Whaley, 17, of Marysville created the second On The Fence temporary public art installation sponsored by the Edmonds Arts Commission.

Working for five hours on site at the city owned fence outside at Second Avenue South and Dayton Street, Whaley used spray paint to create a 4-foot by 20-foot art work called “Rise Above.”

Although an experienced graffiti artist, Whaley was challenged to translate his art, which is generally done on a more porous wood or concrete surface to create a temporary installation using spray paint on the slick surface of sign vinyl.

Whaley has studied with artists Mary Peterson and Henri Wilson in the Reclaiming Futures PAIR Art Program. Along with mentor Margaret Howard, they assisted with his application for the temporary art project. 

“I hope to give the message to people that you can rise above your past,”  Whaley says. "I want to give hope to other people, especially kids. The balloons in my artwork are rising up from the dark to the light. Balloons represent happiness, childhood memories, and innocence. Balloons rise, and so can we! This idea originated from my experiences as an artist from being criminalized for my art to learning how to use my art to give back to the community and others.”

When he was 5 years old, Whaley was seriously injured in a car accident. After several years in a wheelchair, he was eventually able to walk, then finally able to run and even skateboard.

The red balloons symbolize difficult parts of life, such as his car accident. The yellow balloons symbolize the good parts of life, which he sees happening more and more as he emerges from his past.

The City of Edmonds Arts Commission offers an ongoing opportunity for regional artists to create temporary outdoor art installations on the City-owned fence at 201 Second Ave S. Interested artists should review the guidelines at www.edmondsartscommission.org under Public Art or call 425-771-0228.