BLACK ART MADE ITS MARK DURING THE 2026 WORLD CUP IN SEATTLE

With twenty designated free watch parties (including one at ARTE NOIR for the Juneteenth Match) and hundreds more across the state over three weeks this summer, PLUS ranking as the top U.S. host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Seattle surely made its mark on the global stage this year. But for those of us who reside here, we already know that when Seattle goes all in for a celebration, the energy can be extraordinary. And what sets any party over the top? The setting. Beyond the big, beautiful game itself, there were some big, beautiful moments of ART, thanks in part to a handful of Black artists who were commissioned to bring the city to life with their tributes to the game and global connection.

The Unity Loop, a 4+ mile public art path that included 168 local businesses and cultural highlights throughout the city, curated by Seattle FWC26 as a legacy project, was designed to connect visitors across 10 neighborhoods, from the waterfront to the Central District and back. One of the highlights was in Pioneer Square, where work by Al-Baseer Holly, barry johnson, Chloe King and dozens more artists greeted visitors in an open-air gallery curated by Forest For The Trees entitled Beyond the Pitch and hosted by RailSpur Studios and Populus Seattle.

Artwork by Al-Baseer Holly, barry johnson, and Chloe King on display in Pioneer Square. Courtesy of Seattle FWC26.

Another highlight is the artwork displayed across 53 monorail columns, which were activated in June and will be on display through September. The artwork rotated throughout the tournament, with work decorating the columns to highlight the flags of World Cup participant nations, as well as featured designs by Puyallup Tribe artists, patients receiving care at Seattle Children's Hospital, and works celebrating Pride and Juneteenth.

Damon Brown's Juneteenth Match Design, Legacy art on the monorail columns, Samray Estifanos' Juneteenth Match Design. Courtesy of SeattleFWC26.

The Juneteenth artworks were selected as part of a design contest open exclusively to members of ARTE NOIR's Black Artist Roster. We were honored to collaborate with SeattleFWC26 to facilitate this incredible opportunity for Black artists to have their work displayed for hundreds of thousands of visitors during the Juneteenth Matchday. The selected artists, Damon Brown and Samray Estifanos, created designs meant to inspire conversation, tell the stories of Black soccer legends, and inspire the next generation of Black soccer players while honoring the meaning and spirit of Juneteenth. During our USA vs. Australia watch party in Midtown Square, we were able to hand out free, special-edition Juneteenth match scarves, stickers, and pins featuring Damon and Samray's artwork. It was such a joyful celebration, and made for an extra special moment when Samray's mother stopped by the table and exclaimed with pride, "This is my son's artwork!"

Watch party viewers picking up stickers and pins; Samray Estifanos' Mom with a Juneteenth Match scarf designed by her son; a community member selecting one of Damon Brown's special-edition scarves. Credit: Hilary Northcraft.