A massive new art installation called "Migration," created by the studio Tieton Mosaic, has added bright color and light to the gray concrete palette of the approach to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, which locals often call "Sea‑Tac." The nickname comes from the first syllables of the two cities for which the airport is named: Seattle and Tacoma. Installed in May, the composition greets visitors and departing passengers and is also visible from the light rail platform.
The project resulted from a collaboration between Ed Marquand of Tieton Mosaic and Seattle muralist Angelina Villalobos. The design includes four types of curved shapes, each produced in 20 copies. Patriot Companies, formerly based in Wapato, fabricated the fiberglass pieces.
Unlike traditional mosaics, most elements are covered in colored epoxy paint rather than small pieces of glass. "That's because they are only visible from a distance," Marquand explained. However, some forms are partially or entirely adorned with gold mosaic tile to add sparkle and draw attention.
The creation process took nearly two years, and the team aimed to finish it before the World Cup matches in Seattle. While soccer is not the most popular sport in the U.S., Seattle is one of North America’s key soccer cities. The local team, the Seattle Sounders, has one of MLS’s most devoted fan bases, and their stadium, Lumen Field, draws record attendance. In addition, Seattle has already hosted matches for the 2024 Copa América and will be one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, so mentioning the FIFA World Cup in the context of Seattle is fitting.
Artist Villalobos developed the color palette, and one of the shapes earned the affectionate nickname "mighty SLUG." The composition's design evolved gradually over several months, with contributions from both Tieton Mosaic staff and representatives of the Port of Seattle.
This is Tieton Mosaic’s second public work for Sea‑Tac Airport. The first is the vibrant three-part mosaic mural in the Alaska Airlines terminal. A third piece, in the recently renovated Concourse C, was unveiled at a private reception. The studio is currently working on a mosaic for the new humanitarian building at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Based on: Art installation adds splash of color to Sea-Tac Airport entrance