Wallingford’s Animal Storm Sculpture
Animal Storm is a bronze and aluminum sculpture at the southeast corner of N. 45th St. and Wallingford Ave. N. in Seattle. Dedicated in 1985, it has long been one of the Wallingford neighborhood’s iconic outdoor public art installations. On the eve of Animal Storm’s 40th anniversary, Historic Wallingford has partnered with sculptor Ronald Petty to commemorate this neighborhood treasure.
Ron and his wife Marjan Petty have generously provided personal recollections, photographs, clippings, and videos about Animal Storm to Historic Wallingford to share with the community.
Jump to video features.
Jump to scanned clippings and photographs.
Animal Storm feature in Seattle Times’ Now & Then column
See also: Now & Then web extra
Ronald Petty, Sculptor
Ron and Marjan have lived in south Wallingford since the mid-1970s. Animal Storm was Ron’s first public art commission in Seattle, and since its unveiling in 1985, he has done other art installations around the city. For example, he created the large Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Sculpture and granite walls (1988) at Fisherman’s Terminal, commemorating workers who lost their lives in the commercial fishing industry. His Salmon Dance (1996), granite columns topped by three ascending salmon, is downtown at One Union Square. Ron was elected to the prestigious National Sculpture Society in 1991 and, at the time, was one of just three artists from Washington State to be inducted.
Materials & Specifications
Materials: Concrete base, bronze shaft, aluminum cap
Height: Approximately 16 feet
Weight: 1,634 pounds
Cast at Robert Mortenson Foundry
Video Features
Credits (produced Spring 2025):
Vintage photos, Ron & Marjan Petty
News clippings from the North Central Outlook & The Forum
Music, by Joe Jeszeck first produced for The Wallingford Local, 2023
Tyson Baty, videographer
Sarah Martin, editor & commentator
Bonus Video
Ron Petty on His Early Career as a Sculptor
Vintage Video, courtesy Ron Petty
Animal Storm Installation and Dedication, July 1985
Vintage Video, courtesy Ron Petty
Foundry Pour: The Making of Animal Storm with Vince Lyons & Bill Broeske, March 28, 1985
History & Dedication
The idea of public art at 45th and Wallingford took shape in 1983 as the old Interlake Elementary School building was being converted into shops and apartments as the Wallingford Center. The Wallingford Community Council and Wallingford Chamber of Commerce held a competition to select public art to mark the busy corner that, for many, is the epicenter of Wallingford. The guidelines called for the creation of “a permanent exterior artwork that reflects the spirit of the Wallingford Community.” Three finalists were selected to create mockups of their proposals, which were then exhibited in the Williamsburg Savings Bank lobby, where the Chase Bank branch is now. Neighbors were invited to visit the display and vote for their favorite. The overwhelming winner was Animal Storm by Wallingford resident Ronald Petty.
Ron saw the spirit of Wallingford reflected in the affection shown for animals by the residents of the neighborhood. As a resident himself, he marveled the number of wild creatures living here, which inspired him to create a sculpture representing more than 30 species of animals he had observed. Absent from the sculpture are species now commonly found in Wallingford, such as an eagle, coyote, possum, and hummingbird.
The Wallingford community rallied to raise nearly $30,000 to fund the project, or about $90,000 today. Ron built the sculpture between 1983 and 1985 in his home studio. A dedication celebration was held on July 27, 1985. Local newspapers and neighborhood bulletins tell a wonderful story of a community coming together to raise funds and celebrate the unveiling of the sculpture.
The sculpture features more than 60 animals from 32 species presented in bas-relief on the approximately 16-foot-tall column that weighs 1,634 pounds. If you step behind the bench that wraps around the back of the site you will find a small plaque that lists many, but not all, of the animals represented on the column. There are at least 13 different birds, seven fish, seven mammals, and a garter snake. A fun way to introduce children to the sculpture is to ask them to find the particular animal listed as you call them out. Admittedly, it’s hard for most to tell the difference between a bass and a perch, but that is half the fun.
The sculpture and animals themselves reflect many special memories for Ron. For example, he recalls walking by one afternoon and seeing a group of young schoolchildren with their teacher who were discussing the sculpture. He stopped to talk with them and learned the children were visually impaired. They were experiencing Animal Storm by touching the sculpture, giving Ron an entirely new appreciation for how the public related to his work. Another example involves the cat perched atop the sculpture. It is modeled after Ron and Marjan’s cat named Mama Cat, who watched Ron design and create the sculpture in his studio.
Newspaper Clippings
This sampling of 29 clippings documents the story of Animal Storm. The clippings are arranged in chronological order. Click on a photo to enlarge it and shuffle through the story.
Photographs
These 15 photographs document Ron Petty creating Animal Storm in 1984 and 1985. The photos are arranged in chronological order. Click on one to enlarge and shuffle through the images.
Photographs
These 9 photographs document the installation and unveiling of Animal Storm in July 1985. The photos are arranged in chronological order. Click on one to enlarge and shuffle through the images.
Webpage Credits
Text: Sarah Martin, with references from articles by Mike Ruby and Paul Dorpat
Images: Provided by Ron and Marjan Petty, digitized by Sarah Martin