Hot on the heels of the call for art for the Cheshiahud Trail Loop, the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in association this time with the Seattle Department of Transportation, has a call for artists for a project close to my heart: the First Hill streetcar.

Construction doesn’t even start until 2011 for a project expected to be completed all the way in 2013 but I’m very excited about being able to take a single streetcar down to the International District; instead of the current take the route 60 to 12th & Jackson and then wait for another bus or walk down to Uwajimaya, I’ll be able to get there much faster and more conveniently which means I’ll be able to indulge my Beard Papa habit at a moment’s whim.

Anyway, the call for art and details on how to enter can be found here. This call is open to all professional artists living in the United States, but I’d like to put out a special plea for local artists to submit their work, particularly those who live in the area and most especially those who understand that First Hill ISN’T Capitol Hill and ISN’T the ID, but is its own unique neighborhood with its own special character.