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Grantee: Kate Reed

Project Title: WONDER KILLER: Exploring Curiosity and Community through art, writing and conversation
Year awarded: 2025, Round 2

Wonder Killer is a community art project exploring the power of unanswered questions through whimsical illustrations, poetry, and public engagement. Developed by Spokane artist, Kate Reed, the project invites people to slow down their impulse to “Google everything” and instead turn toward each other with curiosity. The centerpiece will be a vibrant collection of 25–35 hand-painted illustrations, each inspired by everyday questions, like “What’s the connection between dopamine and irritability?”and “How bad is weed and feed?” paired with original writing submitted by local poets and writers. A culminating event featuring live music, poetry performances, and the release of an illustrated book will cap off a season of community interaction, including pop-up showings at Kendall Yards Market, local coffee shops, and library spaces. SAGA funding will support materials, artist stipends, book production, and the immersive large-scale event planned for 2026.

The project also includes a participatory poetry campaign curated by poet Tim Greenup, inviting the public to contribute to the conversation through verse without turning to search engines for inspiration. With themes ranging from information overload to AI’s influence on human connection, Wonder Killer encourages a return to relational knowledge and collective imagination. The project builds on the artist’s past contributions to Spokane’s public art scene, including work for Spark Central, Get Lit!, and STA’s City Line stations, and reflects a commitment to making art that is as engaging as it is accessible.