Tahlequah and Baby Orca Story and Art
Comfort and Joy for Adults and Children Navigating Grief
Julie Seitz, a U.S. Patented Artist, Award-Winning Heritage Specialist, and Certified Life and Pet Celebrant, is creating a groundbreaking public art and heritage project that transforms the profound story of Tahlequah, the mother orca, into a healing experience for communities navigating grief. This innovative initiative draws inspiration from one of Puget Sound's most beloved and endangered Southern Resident Orcas, whose public expressions of mourning captured global attention and sparked widespread reflection on loss, love, and resilience.
The project centers on the true story of Tahlequah (J-35) and her baby orcas, including her newest calf J-61 who lived for just over a week in December 2024 before Tahlequah carried her through Puget Sound waters. Seitz, who was interviewed by The Seattle Times for their coverage of this story, recognizes the universal power of Tahlequah's journey to help humans understand and process their own experiences with grief and continuous loving bonds.
At the heart of this free public event is the creation of a custom handcrafted orca-themed version of Seitz's patented fabric urn, The Loving Heart™—soft to embrace and deeply symbolic. This special piece anchors a new collection inspired by Tahlequah's mourning rituals in both 2018 and 2024.
The tactile storytelling experience at the Greater Kent Historical Society and Museum features an original storybook based on extensive research, complete with original illustrations, that Seitz will read aloud to guests.
Each participant receives a custom handcrafted plushie baby orca to hold and keep, offering lasting comfort as they connect with themes of eternal love and enduring bonds. This unique project blends textile art, storytelling, heritage preservation, and environmental awareness to create a compassionate, inclusive space for artistic grief support—particularly serving marginalized and underserved communities whose grief is often minimized or overlooked.
Supported by a City of Kent Arts Commission "Give Me Culture" Grant Award 2025 and fiscal sponsorship through Allied Arts Foundation, the project represents a pioneering approach to community healing through the intersection of art, nature, and shared human experience.
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