PRESS RELEASE- Artist Chosen for Skate Park Mural Commission
Jesse Joshua Watson will begin engaging the community in the development of the new public art project later this summer.
July 7, 2026 - PORT TOWNSEND – After an extensive selection process, artist Jesse Joshua Watson has been awarded the commission to create a new public art mural at the Seamus Sims Skate Park.Watson’s work was chosen from 17 applications by Jefferson County based artists. The concept for the mural includes an underwater seascape with elements from Port Townsend’s architecture and landmarks, which will be further developed through a collaborative process involving skate park users and the wider community.
Watson’s multifaceted arts practice ranges from commercial illustration to large-scale public murals across the state. He is the illustrator of 38 books, including the New York Times Bestselling Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, I And I - Bob Marley, written by Tony Medina, the award-winning Chess Rumble as well as Ghetto Cowboy and Polo Cowboy, all three by G. Neri, and many more. In efforts to bring awareness and support to the Haitian people after the 2010 earthquake, he traveled to Haiti and wrote and illustrated HOPE FOR HAITI, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. His artwork has been displayed in galleries, cafes, nightclubs, libraries, and museums. He has created murals for schools and other institutions throughout Washington, including pieces at OCEAN and Port Townsend High School that were created in collaboration with students.
“I’m so stoked that I’ve been chosen for this amazing project,” Watson stated,” It’s a great opportunity to work with the community to create something very special for our town. I am looking forward to input from the skaters and seeing how the concept evolves into the perfect solution for this unique canvas.”
In February, the City was awarded a Creative District Capital Grant by Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) to create a site-specific mural at the Seamus Sims Skatepark in downtown Port Townsend. This permanent painted artwork will be the first public art commissioned by the City since 2014.
Located at 250 Monroe Street, at the corner of Jefferson Street, the 0.33-acre Seamus Sims Skatepark was built by the City in 2006 after decades of youth advocacy for a sanctioned place to skateboard. In 2024 the park was renamed for Seamus Sims, who spearheaded the effort. In 2025 the City added solar-powered lights after a local high school student led a campaign to add lighting for extended use of the park. Community activation and interest in this park is growing, and with its central location on a main downtown artery and free public parking lot, murals created at this site will be seen by locals and visitors, becoming a central visual landmark for the Creative District and community at large. The new mural will span approximately 1,700 square feet of wall space at the park (it will not include the skateable surfaces in the park).
The City will provide a partial match of ArtsWA's investment of $30,000 in this project with contributions from the Municipal Arts Fund, support from staff in Parks and Facilities, and private donations. The Seamus Sims Skatepark is part of the City of Port Townsend's park system and is maintained by City staff.
Proposals were reviewed by a selection panel made up of members of the Port Townsend Arts Commission’s Public Art Committee, members of other relevant City Advisory Boards, community members, and a local artist. Three finalists presented their concepts to the public at a forum attended by more than 50 community members on June 23rd at the Cotton Building. Comments from attendees were used by the committee to inform the decision to award the commission to Watson. The committee’s recommendation was supported by the Arts Commission and City Council. The project is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and be completed by early 2027.
With the Creative District and Community Services Department, the City is proud to continue to support inclusive, community-driven art through this project by building more opportunities for the arts to be seen and appreciated in our built environment.
“It was incredible to see so many high-quality applications from local artists, and it will be great to see Jesse’s work and community spirit come to life at the Skate Park,” says Katy Goodman, the City’s Arts and Culture Coordinator, “I am excited to help support more public art commissions like this project so that artists can continue to make Port Townsend a more beautiful and interesting place to live.”
# # #
Learn more about the Port Townsend Creative District: https://ptcreativedistrict.org/
See the artist’s portfolio of work: https://www.jessewatson.com
