We’re thrilled to have 123 West Design Collective back at the Block Party this year with The Fractured City, an interactive public art experience inviting Festival-goers to explore how cities evolve through design choices, social dynamics, environmental pressures, and community influence.

Made of a series of large-scale, hands-on fabric installations, visitors can rotate, swap, clip, and rearrange painted textile elements to transform evolving cityscapes throughout the day.

“One installation reveals contrasting visions of a city in disarray and harmony through rotating fabric panels, while another allows participants to build entirely new neighborhoods by repositioning painted fabric strips along tensioned chains. The Fractured City transforms festival-goers from observers into active participants in reimagining the future of the urban environment.” – 123 West Design Collective team

Q & A with Mary:

IN[FLUX] in design is…

Normal. Design is always changing, expanding, evolving. Accepting the change is important. Flux happens.

How can design respond to IN[FLUX] – constant change and uncertainty?

Embrace the change and showcase how the inevitability of change is beauty in itself.

Who or what inspires you?

My grandfather, Richard Anthony Bosse. He was the only grandparent I had, and even so, he passed away when I was nine years old. I cherish every memory I have of him. He was an artist through and through. Born in 1932, served in the navy and worked for Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) for thirty years. He and my grandmother, whom I am named after, raised six children, resulting in fifteen grandchildren. He peppered his life with small sketches, doodles, and small wood workings in the little moments he had. When I was born and started to show signs of artistic talent, he spent his dying years next to me, encouraging, teaching, and even though he is gone, I still feel him guiding me in everything I create.

My favorite thing about where I live is…

It feels like Port Angeles is in between time and reality. Like it hasn’t figured out where it belongs yet and it is still settling into what that is. It is a great place for artists and designers because of that.

Tell us about a project that you completed that you are most proud of.

I designed a traditional tarot card deck under an unconventional lens using my illustrative watercolor art. It was a moment where I stepped out of my typical comfort zone and created something that I was really proud of.

What design story or object most strongly influenced your interest in design?

I love that Marie Kondo always encourages people to spark joy in their life while still living their means. She has inspired me to emulate that in the public art work I do.

What is your ultimate work when it comes to your work? What do you hope to contribute?

I hope to inspire young people to believe that there is no limit to their abilities. Creativity is truly limitless.

If you could have on superpower, what would it be and why?

I hope to inspire young people to believe that there is no limit to their abilities. Creativity is truly limitless.

How should community influence design?

Design should be a mirror for the community, reflecting the values and ambitions that drive a group of people.