Arlington lures tourists with fishy art
Published on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
Summertime art projects aren't just for kids at camp. The city of Arlington and the Arlington Arts Council have developed a community art project, entitled Some Things Fishy in Arlington, which encourages participation from businesses, community groups and individuals.
Named as a tribute to the frequent appearances of fish in Arlington's public art collection, Some Things Fishy in Arlington will be used to create attention along the I-5 corridor this winter, and is especially designed to attract Olympic visitors into town.
"We want to see visitors from all over the world stop in town for lunch and a walk about," said Sarah Hegge, the city's recreation manager.
"Our goal is to have at least 100 fish decorated for display," said Sarah Arney, president of the Arlington Arts Council. "We want to see schools of fish along I-5."
Amateur artists can order plywood cutouts, four feet or eight feet in length, of a trout, salmon, sturgeon or rockfish. Similar to the 2003 Cow Parade during Arlington's Centennial, the fish will be creatively painted and decorated, then may be displayed in storefronts or lawns until the highway installation this fall. The smaller fish cutouts are $5, with the larger size available for $10.
Terry Marsh, a retired local teacher, volunteered to do the cutouts. The plywood is being furnished at cost by Arlington Hardware.
Arlington's public art collection honors fish and the city's natural environment, and includes a sculpted granite bench near Burke Street entitled "Salmon Spawning Pool" by Verena Schwippert, Marguerite Goff's "Council of Fish" at City Hall, and a mural by Harry Engstrom entitled "Life on the Stillaguamish River."
The decorated cutouts will be installed next to the freeway at Island Crossing on October 24.
Order forms for the fish cutouts are available at City Hall, or by e-mail from shegge@arlington.wa.us, or by phoning Jean Olson at (360) 435-5866. Fish will be cut as they're ordered, with periodic pickup dates at Olson's home by appointment.
Named as a tribute to the frequent appearances of fish in Arlington's public art collection, Some Things Fishy in Arlington will be used to create attention along the I-5 corridor this winter, and is especially designed to attract Olympic visitors into town.
"We want to see visitors from all over the world stop in town for lunch and a walk about," said Sarah Hegge, the city's recreation manager.
"Our goal is to have at least 100 fish decorated for display," said Sarah Arney, president of the Arlington Arts Council. "We want to see schools of fish along I-5."
Amateur artists can order plywood cutouts, four feet or eight feet in length, of a trout, salmon, sturgeon or rockfish. Similar to the 2003 Cow Parade during Arlington's Centennial, the fish will be creatively painted and decorated, then may be displayed in storefronts or lawns until the highway installation this fall. The smaller fish cutouts are $5, with the larger size available for $10.
Terry Marsh, a retired local teacher, volunteered to do the cutouts. The plywood is being furnished at cost by Arlington Hardware.
Arlington's public art collection honors fish and the city's natural environment, and includes a sculpted granite bench near Burke Street entitled "Salmon Spawning Pool" by Verena Schwippert, Marguerite Goff's "Council of Fish" at City Hall, and a mural by Harry Engstrom entitled "Life on the Stillaguamish River."
The decorated cutouts will be installed next to the freeway at Island Crossing on October 24.
Order forms for the fish cutouts are available at City Hall, or by e-mail from shegge@arlington.wa.us, or by phoning Jean Olson at (360) 435-5866. Fish will be cut as they're ordered, with periodic pickup dates at Olson's home by appointment.
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