Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kate Jessup. Video courtesy of the artist, 2020.

Welcome Sapling, 2020

Kate Jessup
American

Location: Klahowya Secondary School, Silverdale

About the Artwork

Welcome Sapling by artist Kate Jessup is meant to welcome and inspire students and staff of Klahowya Secondary School. It captures the point of view of a new plant looking up from the forest floor at the forest canopy of the Kitsap Peninsula in South Puget Sound. The point of view also presents a spiraling star-shaped galaxy. Jessup notes: “The simple metal silhouettes suggest plants that are further away, that are taller, while the mosaic forms are closest to the viewer. From this perspective, a berry is much bigger than an eagle and a sapling is almost as tall as a giant cedar tree… A reminder that every stage and moment of life is beautiful and fleeting.” 

The panels are inspired by the plants that allowed humans to live here: spruce, redcedar, ferns, rhododendrons, salmonberry, salal, serviceberry, snowberry, Oregon grape, blackberry, flowering currant, and twinberry, as well as insects and birds, all made of stained-glass mosaic. They are all growing together, and are at all stages of growth.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Central Kitsap School District.

About the Artist

Kate Jessup is a visual artist and designer based out of Seattle, Washington. She is most known for her mosaic artworks.
Jessup earned a Bachelor of Art degree (2000) from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has also studied at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and at the Chicago Mosaic School (2017).