SPORTS: West Seattle Junction FC mixes art and soccer in latest home-field match

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle Junction FC drew their fourth match of the season Sunday against Tacoma Stars FC. But what has been an otherwise difficult month of games had a bright spot: A community event hosted by Junction FC to highlight local artists, coinciding with their newest merchandise release, a line inspired by well-known West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen.

(Photo by Erik Sandvik)

It was a tensely-fought game with three injuries, mostly springing from a series of close shaves in both team’s goal boxes. Junction FC managed to keep up a strong defense, as goalkeeper Liam Ryan fended off several close calls in the first twenty minutes, and pressed the offense with an especially close shot by James Lear at the thirty-minute mark. The game resulted in yet another draw for both teams, though Junction FC managed to hold up with one player out of commission for the second half of the match.

Sunday’s match also marked the release of Junction FC’s third kit (a version of the team’s uniform fans can purchase and wear) inspired by Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen. The kit draws from his experience as a street artist, moving from graffiti into professional mural painting. “I’ve designed my own shirts, but never a jersey,” Hansen said. “I knew I wanted to do something colorful and incorporate actual spray paint.”

The jerseys incorporate layered spray-paint effects, giving them an identity unique to Hansen’s style, and to the West Seattle artist community.

(Photo courtesy Junction FC)

During the game, attendees were able to browse through several artist stalls set up behind the bleachers, purchase Junction FC merchandise and add to the community mural. The artist alley was a mix of established painters, community organizations and up-and-coming artists. At the end of the alley was Lora Radford, the lead artist of Potterings (WSB sponsor), a new pottery studio in the Harbor Avenue ActivSpace.

Radford started doing pottery as a form of self-expression, and as a self-described “community builder,” wanted to bring the experience to her community. Since opening in May, she’s been able to help people without any prior experience enjoy pottery.

“I decided that potters needed a place,” Radford said, “If you took a pottery class in middle school and you want to make a gift for a friend or a piece for yourself, this is the perfect place. That’s what we’re about.”

Further up the alley was Sunshine Arts and Crafts, owned by artists Marcia and Dennis Schramm. They moved back to West Seattle recently from Colorado, and have found painting as a hobby in their retirement. Marcia has been painting with acrylics for three years, and Dennis painted a set of Seattle-themed lazy susans.

Setting up an elaborate metalwork piece across the walkway, West Seattle native Jerry Austin is the founder of Mindful Metal, specializing in metalwork installations that utilize recycled metal pipes. Austin started his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Finally, sitting next to the Junction FC booth was Johnny Gillespie. Sunday’s event was his first time tabling. Gillespie has been drawing since he was a kid, and focuses on artwork that centers on animals.

Next home match for Junction FC (0-4-4) is Sunday (June 29) at 2 pm vs. Portland Bangers – tickets are available here.

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