Nancy Rawles by Ingrid Pape-Sheldon
Represent! 98118 was dreamed up by Nancy Rawles, a writer and teacher who lives, works, and plays in the 98118 zip code. The 98118 has often been described as “the most diverse zip code in America.” Nobody seems to know exactly what that means, so Nancy decided to find out. About three years ago, she started talking to her neighbors about their experiences living in the 98118. Describing the diversity of one American community was a much bigger challenge than she could imagine. So she began to ask more people to join the discussion.
Sheila Arthur by Nancy Rawles
First she asked her friend Sheila Arthur, a photographer, to take some photos of people and places in the 98118. Sheila started by taking photos of people at South Shore School where Nancy taught. The resulting portraits were so interesting and alive that they gave Nancy the idea of using photography as a way to capture the feeling of a place. The photos Sheila took at the Columbia City Farmers Market confirmed the ability of photography to tell complex stories.
Niki Riley
Next, Nancy spoke with world traveler and tour guide Niki Riley, who suggested “A Day in the Life of 98118” as a way to include lots of people from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. In this way, individuals could record their own experiences. Soon the idea became a “community project” designed to include clinics, schools, organizations, businesses, and places of worship.
The more people heard about Represent! 98118, the more they wanted to know, “Why just writers and photographers?” and “Do they have to be professionals?” Well, no. Anyone should be able to participate. All talents, viewpoints, and voices would be welcomed. In fact, a multiplicity of viewpoints were vital if we were attempting to create a collective portrait of our community.
- Maryna Ajaja by Atilla Janisch
Maryna Ajaja, film programmer for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) thought it would be a great idea to add film to the art forms included in “A Day in the Life of 98118”. Maryna helped form a Represent! 98118 Advisory Group, an informal group of interested people who meet regularly to lend their ideas, opinions, and skills to the project.
Nancy applied to the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to sponsor the project. Happily, they agreed. With sponsorship from the Department of Neighborhoods and with the help of Felicia Gonzalez, “Represent! 98118” was born. Now many people are helping prepare for “A Day in the Life of 98118” on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. We hope you will join us by lending your talents and ideas… and by spreading the word to your friends and neighbors.
