Water Carry

Located along the Green River Trail in Tukwila, Water Carry by Claudia Fitch is a striking blend of sculpture and poetry that reimagines public art in an infrastructure setting—one of the first of its kind in King County.


The installation is integrated into a staircase leading to the Interurban Pump Station and reflects the history of the nearby Duwamish River. A cascading tile pattern flows down the steps like a stream, interrupted by three basket-shaped sculptures that also serve as seating for those walking the trail. Nearby, a suitcase, a map, and a symbolic figure enhance the piece’s layered narrative. Text sandblasted into the stairs—written by Fitch in collaboration with poet Judith Roach—speaks to the deep, lasting ties between the land, water, and its people.

About the Artist:
Northwest artist Claudia Fitch creates imaginative sculptures and installations for public places. She states, "My work in public art playfully re-invents icons familiar in pop culture and art history, with the intention of linking a contemporary site with its over-arching cultural narratives."
Fitch received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1979. She received the 2014 Twining Humber Award for lifetime artistic achievement. (From the Washington State Arts Commission).