EVERETT, DEC. 19: Bunker Arts Collective (BAC), a local nonprofit revitalizing Snohomish County through widespread clean-up efforts, visual art initiatives, and overall advocacy, wrapped up its first year in Everett.
Everett local Evan Reed announced the creation of his nonprofit last year, focusing on commissioning robust mural arts and forming a community volunteer program to help combat vandalism and blight in the city.
The idea for the nonprofit came after Reed lost his job. He would go on walks and “kick the same soda can over and over”. Reed then decided to start picking up the trash in Everett.
BAC hosted 42 citywide clean-up sessions, accumulating 10 tons (20,000 pounds) of garbage. In BAC’s first year, they registered close to 150 volunteers.
“We would not be successful without volunteers, so I feel extremely privileged to have them so enthusiastic about the nonprofit,” Reed said.
This year, the mural program has commissioned seven projects in collaboration with local businesses, organizations and artists. BAC also removed 60 graffiti “tags” on private property including the Cascade Boys and Girls Club in the Lions Park neighborhood. Tags are spray-painted signatures or symbols that represent a certain artist or gang activity.
Reed was able to support the murals through a $10,000 grant received from Snohomish County. The goal was to bring exposure to local artists as much as possible, Reed said. BAC also does not charge the receiving businesses.
“We don’t want to charge our small businesses, community organizations, and schools for receiving these public art pieces. They are usually the ones that would benefit the most from the art, but may not always have the resources, time or money to make it happen,” Reed said.
No. 7 Liberty Elementary School, December 2024
BAC volunteers helped create their last mural of the year for Liberty Elementary School in Marysville. Three of the seven murals commissioned this year went to schools in the Marysville School District that are at risk of closing in 2025 due to budget constraints.
Reed, who is the director of the Marysville Boys and Girls Club, knows a lot of the students from schools that are facing potential closures in 2025.
“I have grown an enormous attachment for that community and making sure that the kids are set up for success,” Reed said, “One of the biggest things for me that has been eye-opening starting this non-profit is that there are so many kids that are lacking bare necessities.”
The school district is planning to close schools in order to balance the district’s budget. The Board of Directors plans to decide on the school closures at the end of the month.
The mural is complete but won’t be installed until January, Reed said.
No. 6 “sunday in the park with you!! Painted by BAC board member Jen McGarvey, September 3, 2024

This mural was donated to the Interfaith Family Shelter, a center for providing those facing homelessness with resources and permanent housing. Although the mural is not open to the public, it provides some color and light to the families at the shelter, Reed said.
“This mural is a vibrant celebration of family, fun, and the great outdoors! The purpose of this piece is to inspire families to spend quality time outside. My hope is that it serves as a reminder to enjoy all of nature’s simple pleasures with the people you love most,” artist Jen McGarvey said.
“The engagement that we saw just from the kids that were staying there, kind of broke our hearts a little bit but it was also really rewarding knowing that they were getting that [the mural] instead of beige wall,” Reed said.
No. 5 Untitled, created by Co-Salish artist Jason Laclair, August 27, 2024

This mural was donated to Totem Middle School in Marysville, a school that also faces the threat of closure for the 2025-2026 school year. The mural was created by Coast Salish artist Jason Laclair.
The painting incorporates two orcas to represent the Tulalip Tribe, Reed said, and a salmon emblem to represent the Stillaguamish Tribe.
No. 4 “Forget-me-not” by Abby Kizziar, August 9, 2024

This piece was donated to Cascade Elementary School in Marysville, the third school that could potentially close. This mural, as well as Liberty Elementary’s mural, was painted on portable plywood panels in the event of a permanent closure.
“I’m so excited to share this with the community and specifically the elementary school as I’m hoping it brings some brightness and joy into the lives of students and staff. After working at an elementary school myself over the past year, I’ve been able to see firsthand how much the environment of a school can impact student’s learning and I truly believe art can change a space,” artist Abby Kizziar wrote.
The mural spans 20 ft. wide and 8 ft. tall, Reed said.
No. 3 “Finding the Deer” by Mackenzie Colby, August 5, 2024

This mural was created for the Snohomish County Diversion Center, a 44-bed facility offering short-term placement and shelter for homeless adults with substance use disorder and or other behavioral health issues.
“Among different cultures, the deer has many meanings including beauty, gentleness, creativity, wisdom, survival, love, renewal, and intuition. These things are always within us, but sometimes it takes time in nature to remind us of ourselves. I hope my art celebrates life, appreciates all that is, and reminds us to take a moment to explore the beautiful world around us,” artist Mackenzie Colby wrote.
No. 2 Armstrong’s Barber Co., Deavan Samuels, August 3, 2024

This mural is based on a physical sign that the owner of Armstrong’s Barber Co. salvaged from a music venue in Bellingham, Reed said. The artist is a sailor with the USS Barry, which is stationed at the Everett Naval Base.
BAC has formed a relationship with the USS Barry, with sailors volunteering with the nonprofit.
No. 1 The “12”, November 9, 2023

This is BAC’s first mural and was initially created to cover reoccurring vandalism at the location.
“The ’12’ is easy to get behind as Washington residents and it was what the property owner had requested when we pitched ideas,” Reed said.
Looking to the future
Reed hopes to double the efforts next year. The goal is to collect 20 tons of garbage, and commission 14 murals. Reed also plans on expanding outside of Everett, working to clean up more of Snohomish County.
“That’s really the vision long term is to get a space centralized in Everett as a community gathering space first and foremost, but also something for families to do, see, watch, whatever that is. Ideally, we build the one brick and mortar and then we start spanning out to other cities,” Reed said.
Due to time constraints this year, BAC’s Art in the Park program took a back seat. In 2025, Reed plans to start the program, offering free arts and crafts activities in parks to help families be more comfortable going to parks again Reed said.
In 2026, Reed is hoping to have a physical location for BAC, preferably in South Everett.
“I hope that the work that we produced in 2024 is representative of the quality and attention to detail and care that we have for this community, to really make 2025 bigger and better,” Reed said.