neighborhood villages

Below are two pictures of Redmond's Centennial "ERRATIC" art installation.  It was constructed with railroad plates to recognize Redmond's status as a railroad town.  It's called ERRATIC to recognize that glaciers shaped Redmond.  Erratics are huge boulders left behind by glaciers.   At the January 8th Council meeting Staff announced owing to light rail the ERRATIC will be moved from it's present location on 166th near Redmond Town Center to "Gilman Landing" south of the Matador near Leary Way.  Sound Transit will pay $576,000 for its re-location.  The City will move it....a laborious job. The original cost to the City for the art was $115,000.   Bob Yoder

Eva Moon , a past city arts commissioner, writer, musician and performing artist is partnering with the City of Redmond to start a Sing Along (and play along) night! The Redmond Community Sing Along (and play along) is a monthly, all-ages gathering to sing and play your favorite songs, meet your neighbors and have fun! No singing experience is required, and all are welcome to attend this free community event. Raise your voice and your spirits!  Bring your acoustic instrument, if you play.  Here�s a link to the songbook:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/ thjxfwrz1nnw961/Redmond% 20Sing%20Along%20Songbook.pdf? dl=0   We'll project your lyrics and chords.

International, national, and regional artists chalked their incredible street art at Redmond Town Center August 17 - 19.  It was the second year RTC hosted the exhibit.  Ramko van Schaik from Holland is a 3-D artist, and in my opinion, he's on par with Dale Chihuly as far as creativity.. Ramko's interactive 3-D art is displayed, along with other artists, in this video.  It's a must click! Future artists!    B. Yoder

Jessica R, City Arts Administrator gave a presentation to City Council on the Grand Opening of the Downtown Park during a July 3rd Council committee meeting.   The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th, 5PM - 10PM....hopefully without rain.  A "soft opening" is date-uncertain, This will be a time of celebrating Redmond's first urban park...."the last major construction project for the downtown" according to the City.  It sounds like a fun time.  "Everyone's invited -- they are expecting a So Bazzar type of attendance of 5,000." Ribbon cutting is 5-5:30 PM.  An afternoon scavenger hunt is being considered, in concert with the local business.  After the ribbon cutting there will be a community picnic with long picnic tables set along 161st....I think.  The Grand Lawn is available as well.  Restaurants will be partnering for to-go ordering.  Redmond's first Artist in Residence will give an interactive performance, "100 yea...

2002 manhole public art  OPINION:  Redmond is becoming a dull place to live and it will get worse.  Installing green street trees and the build out of the Downtown Park will help but Redmond needs more "punch" to make us a great city. On May 8th council discussed a much greater emphasis of art in their budget.  Major projects like Buoyant in the Down Park need funding.  It will cost >3% of the total park construction.  The present grass and concrete downtown park is of course better than another one or two 6-8 story rental buildings.  A "landmark" art installation like Buoyant near the pavilion would make it a true park and sparkle our downtown. "Signature" art installations are needed too.  They would cost 2-3% of total constructions costs at places like the main streets of Overlake, the Marymoor Village gateway, key public buildings or high traffic parks or trails like the Connector Trail  Signals art. Then there is the "Hallmark" ...

Council member Angela Birney stated on social media that this art was paid for by the builder.  At first I thought it was gaudy but now I find it a pleasant change from the plethora of our downtown monotone box buildings.  "162" is located just north and across from the Downtown Park. Can we expect more to come?  

LWSD student art May is Arts in Education Month May is Washington State�s Art Education Month � a time to celebrate the wonderful arts education in our schools and the terrific art our students create as a result. What does art mean to you? For LWSD students, art provides a way to express themselves. It is fun, magical, creative, beautiful and awesome.  I really like going to the school board meetings sometimes just to see the art.   At every board meeting there's a "host school" where the principal and staff explain their accomplishments and challenges.  The students from the host schools always draw art.  It's posted behind the dias and all around the room.  These kids have fun!  They are creative!  And they are good! B. Yoder