Pulp Studio recently collaborated with sibling artists Tory and Eroyn Franklin on a project for Sound Transit’s Star Lake Station as a part of their art program, STart. This initiative is dedicated to showcasing local and nationally recognized artists’ work into transit stations and centers to create appealing destinations for commuters and the surrounding community.
“Pulp Studio was excited to collaborate with the Franklins and the Sound Transit STart program on this energetic mural at Star Lake Station,” says Kirk Johnson, Chief Executive Officer. “Our proprietary D2G️™ process allowed us to bring the Franklins’ colorful and detailed artwork to life, creating an inviting environment for the transit center.”
The project and Pulp's involvement
Located on 272nd near 26th Avenue in Kent, Washington, Star Lake Station is one of three new stations added as a part of the Federal Way Link Extension, which expands the Sound Transit regional light rail system by almost eight miles. On the perimeter of the station is a artwork titled “Gather,” designed by the Franklins. The artwork features a marine flora theme with eye-catching shapes, bright flowers and plants and patterns in a bright design. This mural also features globally recognized edible plants, allowing visitors to connect with the artwork through familiar ingredients. The art embodies the definition of its name, inviting commuters into the station and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Pulp Studio provided six vignettes, made of 324 individual pieces of digitally printed glass, for this project. To create the intricate patterns of the artwork, every panel of glass was made with multiple complex inner patterns that filled the larger areas, heavily incorporating white ink. The glass, measuring 3/8” thick, consisted of D2G️™ or Digital Ceramic Frit, was tempered and laminated, and was fully framed by the glazer, Mission Glass. By utilizing D2G️™, which is a direct to glass digitally printed image that uses ceramic inks that are fired onto the surface of the glass, Pulp Studio was able to perfectly replicate the vivid colors and energetic motifs of the artwork and bring a colorful experience to those walking along the long transit corridors to the train platforms.
Star Lake Station will be open to the public in 2026.
“Eroyn and I were inspired by the prompt ‘The Light at the Edge of the Forest,’" says Tory Franklin. “We strategically focused on a design that would respond to the different lighting conditions at the station. On sunny days, the piece casts a stained glass-like glow on the station and on cloudy days, the vibrant colors are more opaque and obscure the view of the freeway.”
