Painting a Brighter Welcome at Emerson Elementary

A once-blank outdoor wall at Emerson Elementary has become a vibrant celebration of learning, friendship, creativity and community, thanks to a partnership between Seattle Public Schools, Amazon, and Urban ArtWorks. 

The new mural was created as Emerson prepared to reopen for the 2026-27 school year after unexpected flooding closed the building last year. More than a beautiful addition to the campus, the project gave students a chance to help shape the space welcoming them back to school. 

Students and staff shared their ideas and inspiration for the mural, which local artist Jen Vickers transformed into a colorful design. The artwork incorporates themes identified for the project including friendship and kindness, focused learning, school subjects, the playground and students doing things together. At the center of the design, the Emerson Eagle soars across a landscape filled with colorful scenes and details.  

Look closely, and there’s even more to discover. 

The design is filled with playful details inspired by school life and learning, from books, science and math to music, art, play and friendship.  

Urban ArtWorks worked with the school community throughout the project, while Amazon employees joined in across several painting days to help bring the mural to life. Emerson fifth graders also had the opportunity to pick up brushes and contribute to the painting themselves, literally leaving their mark on their school. 

That hands-on participation made the finished artwork not simply something created for Emerson students, but something created with them. 

More Than a Mural 

The mural is part of a broader back-to-school partnership between Amazon and Seattle Public Schools supporting Emerson students, staff and classrooms. 

In addition to sponsoring the outdoor mural with Urban ArtWorks, Amazon provided $5,000 for back-to-school supplies and Fire TV sticks for Emerson classrooms. 

The partnership also extended beyond the school campus with a special invitation connected to the Seattle Mariners. Emerson Principal Wilson was invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, with an Emerson staff member invited to turn on the Fire TV center field videoboard. 

Together, those contributions helped make Emerson’s return to its building a little brighter. 

A Colorful Welcome Back 

The finished mural stretches across more than 900 square feet of Emerson’s exterior space, transforming the wall into a visual reflection of the school community. 

Bright and welcoming were among the goals identified in the mural proposal, along with representing the things that matter to Emerson students: learning, playing, creating, building friendships and doing things together.  

That spirit of togetherness carried through the entire project. 

From the students who shared their ideas and helped paint, to the artist who turned those ideas into a cohesive work of art, to school staff, Urban ArtWorks and Amazon volunteers who helped make it possible, the mural is a community creation. 

And now, every day Emerson students arrive at school, they have something new to explore, discover and call their own.