Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Artwork copyright Nick Goettling. Photo courtesy of Spokane Public Schools, 2023.

Learning / Experience /, 2023

Nick Goettling

Location: Franklin Elementary School, Spokane

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Learning / Experience / by Nick Goettling loops through the two-story entry space at the center of the school. It begins as a folded "paper" airplane (made of aluminum). Once outside it transforms into birds and leaves. Then it wraps back inside the school, transforming into sheets of school paper. Goettling notes, “Our public schools prepare each student to go out into the world, and through their individual experience, become teachers to the next generation. We all have lessons to learn and to teach, and this work celebrates that collaboration between teachers and students.”

Goettling's design uses simple, folded, aluminum metal sheets that transform from beginning to end. The airplanes range from a pale blue color to green, then white, and then pink, with a chrome effect.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Spokane Public Schools.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nick Goettling creates dynamic, engaging, and attractive public art and murals. He develops his designs by working with historians, community leaders, and local artists.

Goettling grew up in Washington State and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia in 2008. He also studied for two years at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is based in Gig Harbor, on southern Puget Sound.