Normandy Park City Scene      Fall 2026
14
T
he much-loved mural 
on the concrete block 
restroom at Marvista 
Park lasted far beyond its 
expected lifespan. After many 
years of Pacific Northwest rain and 
exposure to our Normandy Park 
Western sun, the time had come 
for a refresh. And now it’s here! 
A new mural has been unveiled, 
decorating the building in cool 
blues and greens, with birds tucked 
into scenes of the local landscape, 
painted by Rocky Road Studios, the 
husband-and-wife team of Zach and 
Marry Rockstad.
With the upgrades planned for 
Marvista Park this year - new bocce 
courts, trails, and landscaping - 
the City of Normandy Park Arts 
Commission felt the time was right 
to make sure the restroom building 
got the same improvements as 
everything surrounding it. “We 
wanted to take the opportunity 
to refresh the aging mural with 
a piece that is reflective of our 
community and the beauty of 
Normandy Park,” said Kolin Quick-
Gunther, chair of the Commission’s 
Public Art subcommittee.
The Commission opened a call 
to artists that asked for a letter of 
interest, a professional resume, 
at least three images of past 
work, and references. Twenty-six 
talented and worthy artists applied. 
A subcommittee of five, Quick-
Gunther and fellow Commission 
members Dina Skeels and Paul 
de Barros, joined by Kelly Steffen 
and Matt Deller from the Parks 
Commission, along with city staff, 
scored each submission across 
eight categories: how compelling, 
original, approachable, and skillful 
the work was, whether it would fit 
the space, and whether the artist 
could execute a project this size. A 
shortlist emerged, conversations 
ensued, and it was narrowed down 
to one. 
Three priorities drove the pick. 
The subcommittee wanted a design 
with staying power, nothing that 
would look dated in five years. It 
wanted something approachable 
and family-friendly, which is why 
the palette stayed narrow rather 
than loud. And it wanted the piece 
to reflect what already defines 
Normandy Park: water, birds, trees.
Rocky Road Studios, whose 
name nods to a nickname for 
Zach’s father, built the design 
around exactly those things. 
“We pulled inspiration from the 
landscape and wildlife around 
the park and Normandy Park in 
general, using vivid, cool-toned 
colors and little vignettes of birds 
New Mural Makes Marvista Park Worth a Second Look
BY LAWRENCE PERYER
A barred owl adorns the back of the restroom facility.

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