Visit Seattle - Seattle Bookmarked | Banned Edition | Lawn Boy

In Seattle Bookmarked: Banned Edition, accomplished Seattleites read excerpts from books by Seattle authors that have been challenged, banned or censored somewhere in the United States.

In this episode, artist and activist Angelina Villalobos reads an excerpt from Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison.

The American Library Association reported a record-breaking number of attempts to ban books in 2023, with most “written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.” As a UNESCO City of Literature, Seattle embraces intellectual freedom and celebrates—rather than censors—diverse voices.

I was stoked when Visit Seattle asked me to do this reading! I grabbed the book right away and dove into it during my trip to South Dakota for the 2024 Red Can. After returning home, still sticky from the 90-degree heat, bug spray, and spray paint, stepping into the cool, fresh air of Seattle felt like a dream. And there I was, at one of the dopest libraries on the West Coast, sitting in a makeup chair, transforming from a scruffy muralist to a bookworm in the blink of an eye. 📚✨

Visit Seattle and I go way back—I worked with them on their SODO Motive documentary in 2018, where three other artists and I painted murals at the Seattle Center to celebrate the upcoming shiny new Climate Pledge Arena. They captured everything, from the sketches to the big reveal. So when they hit me up for this Banned Book project, my inner book nerd couldn’t say no. I mean, how could I pass up the chance to geek out about books with my city again?

After nailing my lines and a few takes, I headed straight to Fremont to finish up the Rowlock Apartment murals. Honestly, little Angel would never have imagined this life. 💫

Thanks for reading ✌️,
Angelina V.