"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.

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                                                                                                                                

"Bird's Eye View" -A Poem by Redmond's Poet Laureate

The City of Redmond is proud to announce the 2022 Poet Laureate, Laura Da'. 

Our new Poet Laureate, a poet and a public-school teacher, Da’ studied creative writing at the University of Washington and the Institute of American Indian Arts. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da’ is the recipient of fellowships from the Native Arts and Culture Foundation, Richard Hugo House, and the Jack Straw Writers Program. She is the author of Tributaries, winner of the American Book Award, and Instruments of the True Measure, winner of the Washington State Book Award. Da’ is Eastern Shawnee. She lives near Renton with her husband and son.

If you're a bird watcher you'll truly love Da's work of art. If you're not a watcher, close your eyes, listen, and feel their special presence. Your journey is just beginning!  -- B. Yoder, 2/8/2022 

UPDATED, 12/21: Art Is Back In Redmond!

Laura Lee Bennett (correct spelling,) is Executive V.P. of the Redmond Historical Society and a VALA Board member. She gave me a tour of VALA, highlighting community Penny farthing art. 

Laura Lee is standing next to Dawn Laurant's "In Place" oil painting.  Dawn is a past VALA Board member and art appraiser.  (double click to see Dawn's artwork.) 

Crystal Edwards is President of VALA Eastside ("Venues for Artists in the Local Area.")  The Penny farthing is her creation. VALA's Mission is "Connecting artists to artists, artists to the community, and the community to art." Years ago VALA had an art center at Redmond Town Center, then moved to Kirkland.  This is their new space back in Redmond, and the first exhibit is called "We Are Here!" Many past VALA Board members, volunteers, and other contributors are in the show.  

VALA is an official blinker stop for "Redmond Lights 2021." Stop by and pick up a holiday blinker!  Their art center is at 8020-161 Av. Ne. #104, just a hop across the street from NW  Downtown Park.  Find hours of operation at their website! 

-- Bob Yoder, 12/18/2021

   Photos, Yoder

CURIOUS ?

"Curious 2020"  Art: Matt Babcock/ Photo: Bob Yoder

"I make public art because public spaces reflect the ways communities and individuals think of themselves in relation to others and to the larger world."

-- Matt Babcock, Seattle-based artist and architect

Updated opinion:  When I saw this orange blob next to Radiant Apartments I was curious so parked to see what it was.  After walking around it multiple times from all angles I decided it was an elephant.  I saw a trunk!  But after looking at this photo I could see it was a bear.  The artwork is close to Bear Creek Parkway.  Does that have any meaning?  

The City is bland.  We need colors to cheer our spirits, and outdoor art to celebrate our cultural diversity.  Many significant downtown projects were recently approved and numerous others are cued up. Is it too late to reward these developers (and taxpayers) with art installations; or incentivize them?  If it is too late, our government has really messed up.  

A few apartment buildings display art in their lobby. Excellent for the tenants; of little value to the neighborhoods.  Winter Lights has wonderful outdoor art but it's temporary.  Marymoor Village is eclectic, but how much is outdoor art, or is architecture their answer?  Overlake??  What a great place to celebrate our cultural diversity. The Downtown Park concrete plaza?  Interactive art?  The 22-acre Nelson Master Plan is a huge opportunity.

We need color and personality in our "villages" and artworks to celebrate our cultural diversity.  

Kudos to Radiant Apartments.   

"Curious" (clip) is located at the entrance to Radiate Apartments on
Bear Creek Trail just west of the Downtown Park. 

.-- Bob Yoder, 12/10/2021

Heron Canyon

It's beginning to look a lot like a City!  

Everywhere...you go!

 

In the photo, you are looking north along 159th Place NE, to where it intersects with the western end of Bear Creek Parkway.  

In the photo, the building on the left is known as Blackbird Apartments.    The one on the right is Heron Flats and Lofts.  The Flats and Lofts abut the Heron Rockery.  The building on the right that is just south of the Heron building is known as The Carter on the Park. (named after the wood-carving artist Dudley Carter.)  The building straight-ahead is Radiant Apartments. 

Fredrick Appliance will be torn down in 2-3 years for a 6-story building, enlarging Heron Canyon further.  The new Osprey building will be the southern entrance to Heron Canyon.  

It's my understanding Eric Campbell developed the Heron and Carter buildings.  He was an active member of the LWSD Bond Committee.  With care, he developed Perrigo Heights and other environmentally vulnerable lands.

-- Photo by John Reinke

    Bob Yoder

    12/3/2021

Chihuly Museum, Seattle
Chihuly Exhibitions

 

HEARING On Huge "LMC" Marymoor Development

The City received only five (5) comments on this gargantuan Development and Master Plan. Tomorrow's Hearing 8/17/2021 is the last opportunity to make a comment.

Some details:  3.68-acre site • 284 dwelling units • At least 5% 3-bedroom units • 28 low-cost affordable units • Public plaza • Public Art walk and artist in residence • Connection to Marymoor Park

The applicant (LMC - South) is seeking a Master Plan and Development Agreement from the City Council. With respect to the Development Agreement, the City is receiving the following benefits: 

o Commitment to provide at least 5 percent of the units (14) as 3-bedroom units; [Good]

o 10 percent of live/work units reserved for occupancy by local commercial tenant(s); 

o Public Art walk; 

o Public Plaza; 

o Public Play Plaza with children’s play features and other entertainment features for all ages; 

o Public outdoor dog washing station; 

o Community Gardens; 

o Art Studio and artist in residence; and 

o Multi-modal trail connections to Marymoor Park with self-service bicycle repair station. [I'm very excited to see the art.] 

In return, the applicant is requesting: 

o A ten-year vesting period with a potential five-year extension; 

o Ground floor amenity space to be classified as commercial space; 

o Live/work units to be classified as commercial space; 

o Construction phasing is proposed in two phases: § Phase I will include a majority of the infrastructure improvements (includes the construction of 173rd Avenue NE and 174th Avenue NE), the development of the garage, west building, north and south public plazas; and § Phase II will include the east building and its residential amenities, children’s play plaza, community garden, and art walk.

Regular Council meeting memo, 8/16/2021

Outdoor Art Mutes Apartment Construction

(double click to enlarge)

Outdoor butterfly art is resting on the Downtown Park.  Porch + Park apartment construction is in the background.  I saw this art while participating in Janet Richards' council campaign.

-- Bob Yoder, 8/1/2021

    Photo, Yoder

Redmond Pool Outdoor Art

 

Do you see: 5 bicycles?  A flying fish?  A salmon?  Moose?  Whale?  Squid?  A Dog?  Dog bone? Bass? My daughter?

The Pool is Open

The Redmond Pools was previously closed for a two-phase improvement project. Construction was completed at the end of April 2021, and the pool is open. The City's Operational partner, Wave Aquatics, has information on programs and activities. To plan your visit, please go to www.waveaquatics.org.  Again, the pool is open.  I saw few swimmers there today, Saturday.  Go for it!  It's an awesome renovation. The City did a great job!

-- Bob Yoder & redmond.gov, 7/31/2021

   Photo, Yoder

Click this link for the artist's website. His background is amazing.  

Redmond Light Rail Station Art

The two images on the left @ Overlake Village Station
 Three images on the right @ Redmond Technology Station 

When light rail begins servicing Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood in 2023, riders will experience more than fast, convenient connections throughout the region. Sound Transit commissioned four artists for the Overlake Village Station and Redmond Technology Station.

-- redmond.gov

The commissioned art is paid by the City of Redmond.  You are looking at five different images.

We Need Color Downtown

We need more color in our downtown!  If you agree email info@redmond.gov

Pure Redmond Apartments (Avondale & Union Hill)  Photo/P. Yoder
This is one of my favorites. Blue is so rare on Redmond buildings. And you can't argue with the roof-line.

162ten Apartments 
Redmond's first building artwork -- bold & innovative

Opinion, Yoder -Photo: B. Yoder

UPDATE: Vividly Colored "Bike-Ped" Tunnel Is Complete

The tunnel is now open! Trail users will be treated to a vivid color and design experience as they travel through the newly upgraded tunnel along the SR 520 trail at NE 40th Street. The tunnel also improves safety by moving much of the pedestrian and bicycle traffic away from the vehicle traffic in that area. Do you see the wall tiles? The **entrances are tiled with a rainbow to honor the diversity within Redmond. Councilmember Hank Myers objected, saying the gay population is only a sliver of Redmond's population.

**The rainbow entrances might have more to do with bike-ped bridge.

-- Sources: Facebook, 5/28/2021, Bob Yoder, 5/28/2021, Photo, redmond.gov

2020 Redmond Lights Extended For Safety

Downtown Park

Festivities have been extended this year (December 4 - January 3) to allow for physical distancing and safety precautions. I assume for physical distancing.) Redmond Lights is a celebration of light, art, and culture. This winter experience is a month-long art and light installation at Downtown Park. Follow the lights down Cleveland and 164th by foot or by car to Redmond Town Center where the festivities continue with Santa, business window decorating contests, and blinker stops. Honoring the holiday spirit that is an integral part of the community, this years’ experience will emphasize hope, joy, and safety in a new way.

13 art installations are on display in the Downtown Park.  "Mexican Lanterns" is just one.

Mexican Lanterns by Hinojos & Jimenez Art

Hinojos & Jimenez Art presents, "Mexican Lanterns", inspired by papel picado or "pecked paper," a popular design form in Mexico used in banners and festivals. The lanterns contain luminous and colorful patterns of angels, the three wise men's crowns, doves, and other rich cultural images for this holiday season.  Of note, Mr. Jimenez ran for City Council this year.

-- Redmond.gov, 12/28/2020

   Photos, Yoder

ERRATIC Art Relocation Costs A Million Dollars

"As shown on the spreadsheet we provided, the total (city) cost to relocate the Erratic Artwork, including landscaping, was $486,756.  Sound Transit has agreed to pay for all the relocation costs up to $576,300."

Regards,

Tess

Tess Wilkinson

CIP Coordinator

City of Redmond

425-556-2434

8/18/2020

Total costs for the relocation is $1,060,054 including land.  The original construction cost for this ERRATIC art was  $155,000.  The art was relocated because it was built too close to the light rail easement! It's new location is south of the Matador near Leary.  Residents pay taxes to Sound Transit so there is no free lunch here.  Bob Yoder, 8/29

Spirit Stones

Does anyone know who is painting these charming stones and placing them randomly around  Education Hill? This one was found on 166th and 104th. I've seen others in the grasses of the Powerline Trail.  I call them "Spirit Stones" because they lift my spirits during these Covid times.

I just learned there is community-building Facebook group called "Redmond ROCKS!" that finds their stones, paints and places them.  Right now they already have over 900 members and eager for more.  Here is their website.  What fun!  Some of the very best outdoor art I've ever seen in Redmond!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RedmondRocks/

-- Bob Yoder

Outdoor Census Art

Outdoor art is reminding citizens to register for the Census 2020.  Four other pieces have been scattered around town.  Have you seen any of them?  There is one on Avondale (westside.) This one is in the Downtown Park.

-- Photo by Yoder

2020 Census Art

Pam  wearing mask in Downtown Park

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond has partnered with Centro Cultural Mexicano and King County’s 4Culture Creative Consultancy grant program to promote the 2020 Census through art. Over the next few months, residents of Redmond will find five vibrant sculptures created by local artists Angie Hinojos Yusuf and Carlos Jimenez in key locations throughout the City.

All five sculptures debuted in Downtown Park this month and will be there until May 15 before being deployed across the City of Redmond for the remainder of the summer. Centro Cultural Mexicano will host a virtual scavenger hunt to find each sculpture and to post the images on social media. Learn more on their Facebook page @centroculturalmexicano.

City Announces Redmond Art Grant Recipients

Art displayed on Luminary Trail
during 2019 Redmond Lights

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is pleased to announce the 2020 Redmond Art Season Grant recipients: afrose ahmed, Centro Cultural Mexicano, Redmond High School’s Latinos Unidos Club, APex, Redmond Association of Spokenword, SecondStory Repertory, Semilla Flamenca, Tasveer, Tifa Tomb, Vedic Cultural Center, and Wolfberry Studio. The Redmond Art Season Grant, established in 2012, were created to support quality arts and culture programming that is accessible to Redmond residents and visitors throughout the year. This year’s recipients will help sustain the thriving art scene, promote inclusivity, and showcase the City of Redmond’s vibrant communities.  

“I look forward to the artwork, events and unique perspectives that will come from this year’s Redmond Art Season Grant recipients,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “Art provides an opportunity to share our stories and celebrate the diversity that makes Redmond such a wonderful place to live.”

The Redmond Art Season Grant aligns with the City’s commitment towards a culturally inclusive community. The City is partnering with local artists and organizations in bringing to our residents compelling programs from all arts disciplines. The program includes works from all arts disciplines that celebrate the variety of cultures, abilities and interests that make up our community including: theater, poetry, dance, independent film, an art gallery showcases, and cultural celebrations.

For more information on each project, go to www.redmond.gov/Arts.  

School Musical About Student's Journey With Schizophrenia.

We went to this musical.  The students were amazing!  A must see!!  B. Yoder

Panther Playhouse & Kirkland Middle School PTSA proudly present WORLD PREMIER MUSICAL "(SCUZZY) Summer Arts School"  at Lake Washington High School, Performing Arts Center, Kirkland. 

During the summer of 1979, a twelve year old boy starts hearing voices and finds his thoughts are being scrambled while he unknowingly starts a journey with schizophrenia.

Join us for this heart-warming original musical where one boy's adventure to find himself helps an entire school discover who they are, too. Written and directed by Johnmichael P. Monteith

Friday November 22 at 7pm
Saturday November 23 at 2pm and 7pm at Lake Washington High School’s Performance Art Center 12033 NE 80th St, Kirkland, WA 98033.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for youth at www.pantherplayhouse.org or $10 at the door.  Also, click the link for a fabulous website about what's to come.

PRICING $5 for everyone 18 years old or younger, $9 online for adults or $10 at the door.