“Point of Connection" a new public artwork by artist Yegizaw Michael, known as Yeggy, was installed at Marymoor Village Station in Redmond this fall.
The piece speaks to both the station, which opens next year, and the surrounding community. The artist’s goal was to craft a work that blends Redmond’s past, present, and future into one unified vision.
Featuring a mix of organic forms and vibrant colors, the artwork transcends mere aesthetics—it visually reflects the city’s ongoing evolution, from its early days as a trade hub to its present identity as a center for technology and innovation.
The piece draws on powerful symbols, each rich with meaning:
Birds, symbols of freedom, resilience, and the collective hopes of the community.
In particular, the Sankofa bird, from West African Adinkra symbols, which encourages us to look back to the past in order to build a stronger future.
The Afro comb, a representation of the wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations.
The mandala, which symbolizes unity and interconnectedness—echoing Redmond’s growing, diverse community.
Together, these symbols tell a story of connection, growth, and a shared future.
From concept to concrete: Yeggy’s vision for the future
Yeggy Michael’s work is celebrated for its ability to move with the viewer—inviting reflection and connection. With over 200 exhibitions worldwide and more than 20 public art projects to his name, Yeggy’s experience speaks for itself. But for “Point of Connection,” his goal went beyond mere representation of Redmond’s growth. He sought to create a piece that could become a part of that growth, both artistically and culturally.
Lucile Chich, project manager for Sound Transit’s Public Art program, explains the broader vision behind the project: “For this project, Sound Transit put together a selection panel with a specific focus on involving the community. We had city staff from Redmond, members of the arts commission, local artists, and station architects—people who were familiar with the site’s configuration and where the artwork would be integrated."
This collaborative process ensured that the final piece truly represented the city and its diverse communities.
“We were really intentional about opening the doors to more varied voices and underrepresented minorities in our collection,” Chich said. “We wanted to make sure that we had a diverse group of voices on the selection committee as well, including BIPOC and other diverse perspectives.”
A unique selection process
The process itself was notable for being the first time Sound Transit conducted a virtual selection panel, which took place in May 2020.
"It was a new experience for everyone, but it allowed us to still bring together a diverse group of people from different backgrounds,” Chich said.
Yeggy had been short-listed for a previous public art project for the Downtown Redmond Station, where 10 artists were selected to showcase their work in a community-centric, festive display.
While his work wasn’t chosen for that opportunity, the selection committee recognized his potential and felt that his vision was better suited for Marymoor Village Station.
Chich reflects on the decision: “[The Marymoor site] is a larger space, and his piece really speaks to the connection between people, nature, and time, which aligns beautifully with the station’s role as a hub for community and connectivity.”
Supporting artists in public art
In addition to selecting Yeggy’s piece, STart (Sound Transit Art Program) provided valuable support to artists with less experience in large-scale public art installations.
Chich said the agency “hired fabricators for” design-only projects”, to ensure that artists who may not have worked on such large-scale public art projects had the opportunity to do so. The Downtown Redmond Link Extensions artworks were the first projects where we applied this new method of contracting. For these projects in particular, we chose 2D artists, whose designs (either digital or created through traditional means and then digitally reproduced) could be translated into durable materials like mosaic or porcelain enamel.”
This approach opened up public art opportunities to a wider pool of artists, allowing them to expand their practices and bring their work to public spaces, even if they had little to no prior experience with installation-scale projects.
By partnering with skilled fabricators, Sound Transit made it possible for these artists to see their designs come to life in a meaningful way, ensuring the artwork’s longevity and visual impact.
A milestone for Marymoor Village Station
Although the Marymoor Village Station won’t open until 2025, the installation of “Point of Connection” marks a significant milestone for the project. The station is designed to be a community hub, and the artwork already sets the tone for the future.
“When complete, Marymoor Village Station will be a place of movement and connection—a space where people come together from all walks of life,” Yeggy said. “But for now, the installation of ‘Point of Connection’ offers a glimpse of what’s to come: a public space that invites people to stop, reflect, and feel part of something bigger.”
Stay tuned for more updates as the Marymoor Village Station continues to take shape. In the meantime, the community can look forward to “Point of Connection” becoming a permanent part of Redmond’s landscape, a symbol of the city’s dynamic journey and its interconnected future.
