This March, in honor of International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight ‘INHERITANCE,’ a public artwork by Michelle de la Vega that celebrates not only community heritage and the dynamic impact of the Kent/Des Moines area, but also the rare and remarkable collaboration between women artists, fabricators, and project managers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Located at the future Kent/Des Moines Station, ‘INHERITANCE’ is a powerful reflection of people’s connections to place, time, and each other.
Commissioned by Sound Transit, the large-scale, permanent sculpture captures the generational stories of local families through the intricate latticework of stainless steel, blending family trees and the metaphor of home into a striking architectural form.
The vision: Family, place, and generational legacy
Artist Michelle de la Vega’s conceptual design for ‘INHERITANCE’ was inspired by a deep commitment to community engagement.
Beginning in 2018, de la Vega worked closely with residents of Kent and Des Moines, inviting them to draw their family trees and share their thoughts on how the new transit system would impact their lives. These community-generated family trees became the foundation for her design—a testament to the heritage and interconnectedness of those who live in the area.
Her vision for the sculpture is rooted in the idea that home is not just a physical space but a product of family, community, and history. The lattice structure, in the shape of the classic, iconic house, serves as a public monument to belonging and inheritance, while reflecting the evolving changes brought by the new transit system.
“Public art has to be accessible—it’s about breaking down barriers and making art something that anyone can experience, especially when it speaks to their lived reality,” she said. “’INHERITANCE’ is about the generational legacy of families, but also about the inheritance of place, identity, and the power dynamics of land ownership.”
A collaboration led by women in public art
An all-female team brought this project to life, From Michelle de la Vega, a talented artist, to Ashley Long, a STart Program (Sound Transit Art) project manager, and Chelsea Gaddy, the owner and fabricator at Force/Collide, an all-women-led team was at the helm. This collaboration was a groundbreaking moment in the public art sector, which historically has been dominated by men.
“Finding a woman-owned fabrication shop that can deliver a large-scale sculpture like Force/Collide was a unicorn moment,” recalls Long, the project manager for Sound Transit.
Having a team of women lead such a large-scale project, from conceptual design to the final installation, was incredibly meaningful. It’s a reminder that women can—and do—lead in fields where we are often underrepresented.
The partnership between de la Vega and Gaddy was particularly special.
In 2021, Force/Collide was hired to fabricate the design through a competitive RFP process. While Force/Collide had predominantly worked on functional art pieces for homes and small-scale applications, this was their first public art fabrication project of this magnitude. Gaddy's background in fine art and metal fabrication was instrumental in translating de la Vega’s vision into a reality.
“It was an incredible collaboration,” Gaddy said. “We worked through each challenge together, from material choices to engineering requirements. This piece is a testament to the power of working with a team you trust and respect.”
From 2021 to 2023, Force/Collide fabricated the artwork in their south Seattle shop with de la Vega’s guidance. By 2023, the structure fabrication was completed and delivered to the site, with the installation of the structure taking place in the fall. The final phase of the project, the art panel fabrication, was completed and delivered in 2024, and the installation was completed in December 2024.
The resulting structure, a 30 ft. x 15 ft. x 26.5 ft. latticework, was fabricated with thousands of hours of work, each panel uniquely representing the interconnectedness of the families and communities it honors. The intricate design allows for light and shadow play, offering a new experience with every passing moment, and allowing the public to walk under and through the sculpture, making it an interactive and ever-changing installation.
A legacy of access, sustainability, and community engagement
As ‘INHERITANCE’ stands in the corner plaza near Kent/Des Moines Station, it’s more than just a sculpture—it’s a living conversation piece.
The artist’s goal was always to create something that would be accessible, not just in location but in meaning. By incorporating public engagement and community input at every stage of the project, the artwork invites dialogue about family, belonging, sustainability, and the impacts of public transit on everyday lives.
“The most important thing for me is that this work is accessible to everyone,” de la Vega reflected. “Art shouldn’t be behind the walls of a museum or gallery. It should be something that people can experience, feel part of, and reflect on in their daily lives.”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, ‘INHERITANCE’ serves as an important reminder of the power of diverse voices in the arts, particularly the underrepresented voices of women and minorities in the fields of public art, fabrication, and project management. This project not only honors the legacy of those who came before but also paves the way for future generations of women in the arts.
“We need more women in these spaces—more women leading, creating, and influencing,” de la Vega said. “This project is a beautiful example of what happens when women come together to bring their vision to life. It’s a model for what is possible when we support and uplift each other.”
‘INHERITANCE’ is more than just an artwork; it’s a beacon of hope, a celebration of women’s leadership, and a lasting symbol of the power of community, heritage, and connection. As commuters pass through the station each day, they will encounter a sculpture that speaks not only to the diverse history of the Kent/Des Moines community but also to the enduring strength and vision of the women who made it possible.