Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Monday, November 27, 2023

Redmond Lights Holiday Haiku - Michael Dylan Welch


By Michael Dylan Welch:  Holiday Haiku features 30 haiku and senryu poems celebrating both the warmth and the cold of the holiday and winter season. These poems offer reminders of common experiences you may have had in December or later during the winter. Take a moment to dwell in each poem and feel the personal moment presented in the poem, responding with a smile or a nod of understanding.  

Michael Dylan Welch was Redmond's Poet Laureate for two years.   


Source:  redmond.gov

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Spectacular "Spectra at Marymoor" Apartments

OneRedmond, Redmond's Chamber of Commerce (and more,) recently organized a tour of  "Spectra at Marymoor" -- spectacular, innovative 450 apartment homes with amenities galore.  Spectra is only a short walk to Marymoor Park and light rail.  V.P. Brad Machat of Quarterra was our fantastic tour guide.  He shared the scissors with Mayor Birney at the ribbon cutting ceremony.  A few tour stops:  

click photo to enlarge

Phenix Salon Suites will open early 2024. Very exciting!  Much more news will come about this exciting business and two others.  Note the metallic balcony art!  

click photo to enlarge

This colorful building art was hand painted. Note the ring of evergreens!  The East Lake Sammamish Trail runs right by.  Popular community garden "pea patches" are on a wait list!  

click photo to enlarge

Spacious outdoor lounge, with full kitchen, outdoor chess, diverse art 
and roof greenery delivers tons of natural light. 

click photo to enlarge

Here's Mayor Birney relaxing by the novel green roof.


Garage art adds to the eclecticism of Spectra,
 the myriad of chairs and indoor art.  

Photos and post by Bob Yoder, 10/12/2023

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Tendril Pat Receives Humanities Washington Award.

Tendril Pat

"Tonight I received the 2023 Humanities Washington Award, the Highest Award in Washington state for Public Humanities . This award recognizes my contributions over the years to Living traditional Arts and folk life in the state of Washington.

It also recognizes my role in the formation and growth of the Center For Washington's Cultural Traditions/ CWCT ! I am immensely honored and deeply gratified to receive this award ! My eternal gratitude goes to Humanities Washington for conferring the Highest Humanities award in the State on me."

Tendril Pat
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Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Mayor Birney's Story: "Bike Days in Redmond"


This story is a little dated but it's interesting and fun.  The pixilated pedestrian 
and bike bridge is shown with the Mayor highlighting it's art. Cool....

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Redmond Rainbow Crosswalk

Beautiful art!  But don't stare down at it when you're in the crosswalk.  
Drivers may get distracted and not recognize it's a crosswalk. 

The Public Works Director was there.  He said they bought a thermo-applicator machine to paint this crosswalk and will use it for painting other asphalt art.  NAMI Eastside mental health art near the Together Center would be another good candidate!  Don't you think? 


- photo and comment by Yoder, 9/2/2023

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Redmond Town Center's Heron Art


click pictures to enlarge
 

It's all a matter of perspective and taste. By night Fairbourne's RTC art installation draws you towards an amenity of the Center; its proximity to Bear Creek.  But in daylight, what's it trying to convey?  
(After dinner, our waitress at BJ's took our picture!) 

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Nature Beckons With a Double Rainbow and Hail Shower

 



This double rainbow photograph was taken by a friend on Sunday at Cottage Lake and confirmed by my next door neighbor.  On the same day we experienced ~ 20 minute hail shower.  It came out of the blue!

Photographs by Jonathan Morrison, 3/30/2023 

Thursday, March 2, 2023

EVENT: "APex Artist Reception" at Victor's this Sunday, March 5th, 2:30-4:30

 

Marco Coady's "APex Art Corner" at Victor's 
(click picture to enlarge it)

Victors Celtic Coffee in the historic district of downtown Redmond, will be hosting a reception for Smita Yamala, "APex Artist of the Month." this Sunday, March 5th, from 2:30 - 4:30.  The "APex  Student of Month " will also be present!

Smita's artwork, "The Happy Soul," will be installed in the APex & Marco's Corner of Victor's from February 26th to March 26th.  Parking is scarce so walking is encouraged. 

Marco Peers Coady is the founder of "Artists Personal Exchange" (APex) and coins his business as 'a place for artists to meet, connect and share their work.'   

-- Bob Yoder, 3/2/23
    Photo,  by

Monday, January 16, 2023

UPDATED OPINION, 2/23/23: Redmond Town Center's New Owner Proposes Amendments Allowing 12-Story Buildings

Imagining a new town center

OPINION:  It's all so confusing and I'm still unclear.  The new owner of Redmond Town Center, Fairbourne Properties, is proposing "zone text amendments" that would allow two 12-story buildings on his property in exchange for "public benefits" such as, affordable housing, environmental stewardship, and business diversity (eg. retail retail, retail; restaurants, entrepreneurs, recreation, small business, commercial,   The benefits are vague and Council is working to clarify them.

A partial summary of the proposed amendments appear as follows:

1) Increase maximum height to 12-stories through an incentive program of 3 extra levels for above grade parking per building, electric bike space and decent pedestrian lighting.   

2) One amendment involves the owner offering "exceptional amenities" for additional height.  I crave colorful, covered plazas and courtyards, eclectic and cultural artworks, sustainable-public-rooftop-patios-with-pristine-views, public spaces for daycare and pets, and above all else, well lit performing arts spaces welcoming and entertaining all, including commercial and retail employees.  Pickleball is a craze and rooftop courts to activate the Center are being looked at.

3) It's my understanding, the final amendment, if passed, could expand "Town Center Mixed Use" into certain parcels along Bear Creek Parkway; serviced by an office gateway.  The expansion plan is unclear; and it may never happen.

-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 1/30/2023, Updated 2/22/23, Resident of Redmond, WA.

SOURCES:  

Council "Planning and Public Works" Committee of the Whole memo, 1/3/2023, excerpted and edited.  Unfortunately, the city red-lined this memo. 

City Council memo, 1/17/2023 - discusses privately initiated text amendments.

FAIRBOURNE Properties (owner)

Hines, RTC owner's consultant and outreach arm.  (Patrick Woodruff is the Hines lead; he's local and enthusiastically seeking ALL opinions and feedback.) 

Engage with the community and the owner HERE)

Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Development.  (Ask for Ms. Helland's contact information at info@redmond.gov or Mayor@redmond.gov)

Arnold Tomac, Past President Redmond City Council, a Town Center founder, and co-founder of the Ped/Bike Advisory Committee.  Arnie's BIO.  

-- Bob Yoder, 2/23/23

Saturday, December 10, 2022

"Redmond Lights" Redux

Pam and Zo at popular art installation
(click pic to find Zo)

It was a blustery, cold and very rainy night but we went Redmond Lights anyway. A friend was working a booth and asked me to come. Pam and Zo tagged along too but they were not a happy puppies.

There wasn't much new:  Same five light installations.  Relatively scant residents, and fun music on the pavillion.  Unfortunately, food trucks don't have much room for parking at the downtown park.  We did see an espresso wagon and ice-cream van.  Sounds silly, but the colorful restroom lights fit in well with the show.  

-- Bob Yoder, 12/10/2022, opinion 

Friday, December 2, 2022

Awesome Art Planned For Redmond Lights, "Luminary Walk" Goes by the Wayside

Michael Dylan Welch was a Redmond Poet In Residence

"Thank you for your inquiry on Redmond Lights. This year’s Redmond Lights will consist of a month-long celebration of light and art in Redmond’s Downtown Park from December 1 – January 4. Enjoy art and light installations every night from 5 – 11 p.m. and Friday night celebrations Dec. 2, 9, 16 from 6 – 9 p.m.
This does not include a luminary walk like past Redmond Light Celebrations. For more information on Redmond Lights art installations and Friday night celebrations, please visit Redmond Lights | Redmond, WA."

-- Redmond Customer Service, 12/2/2022

Comment/ Bob Yoder:

Judging by the site map it appears all the outdoor art is installed in the Downtown park.  Find descriptions of the art elsewhere on the site or probably by QR code.  

The Luminary Walk first started under Mayor Rosemarie Ive's Administration decades ago.  I'm assuming the Walk was cancelled owing to Senior and Community Center construction.  

-- posted by B. Yoder

Monday, October 31, 2022

Utility-Box-Art -Wraps On Leary, the City Can Do Better

from sidewalk 

 
facing Leary Way

Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts doesn't seem like a good mix.  Just look at it.  IMHO, the Cultural Arts Administrator and Commission need to up their game for things to come, like Redmond Town Center and Overlake and downtown buildings with plazas. Box art can be cool (library) but the 2050 goal for equity and inclusion will require a myriad of significant cross-cultural art works. 

According to the Cultural Arts Administrator, the utility box artworks were selected from a public art call as part of a pilot program by the City (a partnership between Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts) 

The utility box artworks were selected from a public art call as part of a pilot program by the City (a partnership between Traffic Operations and Cultural Arts)

 

Info on the artist can be found on the Cultural Art web pages -- Arts & Culture | Redmond, WA

and our communications team is working on some stories and posts coming soon. We will also be adding signage next to the boxes in the coming months.


The artists were paid $250 each.  


-- Photos and opinion by Bob Yoder, 10/31/2022

   click on the photos to enlarge

Sunday, September 11, 2022

"Lyrical Currents," A Poetic Map of Redmond and the Sammamish River

Redmond's Poet Laureate, Laura Da' created this lyrical nature walk through the downtown natural, cultural and historical places of Redmond.  QR Code will open the map guiding you through five special places.  

Laura Da' is a poet and teacher.  A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da' studied creative writing at the University of Washington and this Institute of American Indian Arts.  She is Eastern Shawnee.  Da' lives near Seattle with her husband and son.  

To take the tour, on your phone, click on the small Google square next to the microphone symbol, hover over the QR code and click on it as if taking a picture. 

A map of Redmond landmarks between the Sammamish River, Redmond Way, and Leary Way.


For more on indigenous indians, culture and nature, find links to a fabulous library booklist care of the Snoqualmie tribe and Redmond Historical Society 

-- brought to you by Redmond Parks and Recreation, 9/11/2022.  Library flyer courtesy of John Reinke

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Thursday, August 4, 2022

"Water Lily Impressions" by Lynn Colwell

 

"Water Lily Impressions"  by Lynn Colwell

"When I am complimented on my photography, I admit to having “a good eye.”
"I was walking back to the condo after a disappointing half hour shooting when I noticed striped light falling on these lily pads. I added a bit of contrast to end up with a keep-worthy shot. The secret to developing a good eye is to LOOK and light is almost always key."

Viewpoint neighborhood

Lynn Colwell, who had been told by a teacher at age 10 or 11 that she should engage in other endeavors than art, finally gained the courage to try it anyway at the age of 69. For the last eight years, she has been turning out almost one piece a day, all of which she gives away for a donation of $25 or more to any nonprofit or person in need. Photography has been a lifelong passion. She often combines her art and photography to create new digital pieces. She’s lived in Redmond with her husband of 53 years, for seven years.

Comment Below:

Thursday, July 7, 2022

11th Annual Redmond Arts Festival

 

Redmond Town Center, 2022

VALA Eastside and Redmond Town Center are excited to gather artists, craftspeople, and designers for the 11th Annual Redmond Arts Festival at Redmond Town Center. This two-day outdoor festival takes place July 8th-9th, 2022, and features approximately 60 artist booths, a community art project, and live entertainment. The festival is produced in conjunction with Redmond’s annual Derby Days celebration at Redmond City Hall which features a parade, music, food, and kids' activities, and has an expected combined attendance of over 15,000 people. The entire City of Redmond is activated with art and festivities on these days. 


ARTS FESTIVAL DATES/TIMES

Friday, July 8th            12pm-8pm
Saturday, July 9th        12pm-8pm

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

"Emotions and Motions," 2021

 


"Emotions and Motions," 2021
Josef Kote (American born, 1964)
acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48"


Saturday, March 26, 2022

"Art and Memory" Exhibition

 Exhibition on Display March 1st - 31st at VALA Art Center, 8020 161st Ave NE, #104, Redmond

“Art and Memory" is an exhibition created in partnership between the Redmond Historical Society and VALA. This exhibition features artists and Redmond residents Dorisjean Colvin and Loana “Barney” Johnson Reilly. These artistic women each captured a unique view of Redmond in their works, offering an opportunity to see the city we share through their eyes.
Some locations you may still recognize, while others are now just a memory.
How will today’s artists shape our view of Redmond in the future? What will you remember?

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Dorisjean Colvin’s detailed works depict scenes from Redmond’s landscape as they were in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. However, our town has continued to grow and change.
Loana “Barney” Johnson Reilly shows Redmond as she remembers it in her childhood, giving a glimpse into life in the 1920s and ‘30s.

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Redmond Historical Society Office And Displays Are Open!

 Schedule a meeting to see the office and displays

Halee Turner, Redmond Historical Society's Administrative and Collections Manager.
 
If you have any interest in Redmond history I recommend  you tour the Redmond Historical Society's new office and displays.  My wife and I took the tour. The office is spacious and display space professionally organized with fascinating content.  Halee Turner gave us excellent meeting times.  She's the primary staff member for this project. Who could be better to answer our questions? 

One of our favorite displays was Redmond's chicken industry.  The society mapped each farm, and there were many.  As I remember, some of  the farmland was sold to Microsoft. The posters were very interesting.

Probably, the most cherished and fascinating exhibit was of  wood sculptor Dudley Carter.  View the intriguing film clip, see some special pictures of him, you'll be amazed!  Do you see the animal art he carved into this log?  Hint: click both pics!

Dudley Carter art is displayed in the office.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/6/2022