A Federal Way woman is among the artists whose designs will be featured at the upcoming Kent/Des Moines link light rail station.
Ivone Langford, who is originally from Brazil, came to Federal Way by way of Seattle and has lived in town since 2001 with her husband, Luke. When she learned years ago that Sound Transit was seeking public art for one of their stations, she jumped at the opportunity.
“They gave you the opportunity to create your own story,” she said. “I’m so connected to Federal Way, that the first thing that came to mind was Federal Way.”
From the center to the edge, Langford’s design is filled with meaning.
A vibrant sunflower fills the inner part, connected to green, circulating vines — representing the area’s abundance of natural green space. That part is enclosed by sets of eyes, representing the many kinds of people in Federal Way seeing and meeting each other. Next, blue ripples of water wrap around the piece, representing the many aquatic resources in the area.
“My idea is to emphasize the nature itself,” she said.
Langford said she wanted to express the natural social interactions that happen among people who come together to grow enjoy each other’s company. It also reflects her love of local parks.
“Those elements lead (people) to get together, for hiking, for fishing, for everything,” she said. “Those elements bring that the feeling of connection with community.”
Langford and the other artists’ work will be displayed at the under-construction Kent/Des Moines station of the Federal Way Link Extension, located north of South 240th Street and west of Interstate 5. The art project is called “Cambium,” named after the growth tissue just under the bark in trees and other woody plants. The designs will adorn a mural of trees and branches placed across an arch bridging South 236th Street.
Specifically, each approved drawing, including Langford’s, will appear as a cross-section of a tree — those cross sections visible where they hit a glass surface on the art installation.
Houston, Texas-based RE:site Studio is responsible for the overall design of the art project, which will include the works of approximately 25 artists, according to Sound Transit.
The Federal Way Link Extension project, which will bring light rail from the Angle Lake Station to the Federal Way Transit Center, is estimated to open in 2026, according to Sound Transit.
Langford is an artist whose work includes architectural and clothing projects back in Brazil. She worked as a nurse for 12 years, including in the years of the COVID pandemic, but retired from that work after a car accident.
Learning that her art would be included in the final project was a wonderful surprise, she said.
“It takes me by surprise, but it gives me this sense of happiness,” Langford said. “I’m very happy to be part of this community.”
Her hope is that the city’s profile will continue to grow, for the right reasons — like the natural beauty and diversity here.
“I want people to have eyes on Federal Way,” Langford said. “That’s my desire. I love the city, and I want everybody to see that, too.”
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