In the Yakima Valley, among the plentiful hills of orchards and the view of the Cascade Mountain Range on the horizon, a thriving artistic community draws its inspiration from the natural and cultural beauty of its home. Many of these artists are displayed in local galleries and exhibitions.
One such exhibition, lining the storefronts of Yakima Avenue, brings the experience of a curated art gallery directly to the public. Windows Alive!, an ongoing exhibition of local artists coordinated by the Yakima Arts Commission, brings to life the stretch of store windows between Hotel Maison and Third Street by showcasing the work of local artists in themed displays.
Thinking Back: The Passion and Process Behind Yakima’s Windows Alive!
Windows Alive!, now entering its twelfth year of displays, highlights the work of five or six local artists at a time, with displays changing every six months. The project was initially started by mixed media artist Cheryl Hahn, whose dream was “to fill unused storefront windows with beautiful art and create a more engaging and vibrant environment downtown… [while giving] local artists a wonderful opportunity to showcase their work.” Since then, the Yakima Arts Commission (YAC) has partnered with Jane Cooper, who uses her professional background in window display to curate each space alongside the selected artists.
While Jane has helped to bring Windows Alive! to life for over a decade now, she never tires of meeting with the artists and hearing their stories. “You never know who’s chosen until you meet them in front of their window,” she shares, speaking of her experience and role within the project.
After YAC selects the artists, Jane meets with each individually to listen, learn, and craft a master plan for their final display. “I ask, ‘What scene do you have?’ and we try to put a display together with the art so it really emphasizes this scene,” she says. From forest-inspired paper displays complete with real branches to an artist who created a faux campfire inside his window of mountainside photographs to invite the viewer into the exact moment the picture captures, the artwork and display work together seamlessly for a stunning result.
During its tenure thus far, Windows Alive! has showcased over 140 local artists, and there’s no shortage of variety in medium within this growing community. “We’ve had 13-year-old twins, 83-year-old quilters, a sand painter, a miniaturist — some of the best artists in this area,” Jane says. “Each window is amazing, and each one is different.”
Stepping Closer: Each Windows Alive! Tells a Story in Yakima
If you’ve ever driven on Yakima Avenue, you’ll have seen the window displays brightening up storefronts down the length of the old mall. Take some time to walk along the street to admire the detail in each and every one as the displays invite you in for a closer look.
This season, six local artists are showcased in Windows Alive!, with mediums ranging from papier-mâché and folk art to landscape photography and fiber weaving. For several of the artists, this was their first experience putting their art on display, but the welcoming reception and encouragement from the community of artists and visitors alike put any nerves to rest.
“As an artist,” shares Lynda Clayton, a self-taught papier-mâché artist and a member of the current Windows Alive! cohort, “we spend countless hours [on our work]. It is our affection that we put on display for others to see. I know what it means to me, but it’s lovely to occasionally hear from others that we’ve touched their lives.”
Lynda is no stranger to crafting displays with her work. The Yakima Rosauers has been the home of her beloved creations for nearly 22 years. Inspired by her job as a florist there, she began making paper displays that quickly took on a life of their own. “There’s a childish thing that lights up in people when they see [my work],” Lynda says. “People bring their families over; they send photos of the new pieces to each other. It’s fun!”
Connecting with the community and with one’s own family is an essential inspiration for several of the featured artists. For modern folk artist Michelle Lea Fortier, family is central to her designs. “I draw endless inspiration from my work with youth and families of Washington Middle School,” she says. “This body of work encompasses ecological awareness, working with children, and the impact of a number of different generations.”
Her artistic passion allows her to connect with her students and bring a sense of personal history and meaning to the classroom. “The cultural connections, the symbolism of animals, the language of flowers, it’s all very meaningful for me,” Michelle shares. “I want to cultivate an appreciation of the arts among future generations.”
Many of this season’s artists also find inspiration from their favorite views and experiences around the Valley. Tony Clark, whose current window display blends bold abstract shapes and colors to create an emotional connection with a landscape, often drives out to a scenic overlook to paint plein air.
“The thing about the mountains is that they look like giant waves,” Tony says. “When you’re out there, and the grass is waving, the movement of the clouds turns the mountains into waves.” His work focuses on the interplay of unexpected materials to “create something that nobody’s ever seen before — spontaneously, from your head.”
The photography of Eva Marquez Mohorovich also draws from colors, characters, and landscapes, both from her birthplace in Mexico and her home in the Yakima Valley. As a young girl, she was given a Kodak film camera, and the process and precision of film photography were instantly captivating. “From there, I just continued to take photos,” Eva says. “I try to get out in nature as much as I can. Being in the Yakima area, passing the orchards, there are just so many beautiful things out here.”
Windows Alive! Looks Ahead With Community Engagement (That Means You!)
This season’s artists have genuinely showcased the heart of Windows Alive! in their displays– but the current exhibit is soon coming to an end. On March 31, the current window displays will be carefully taken down, to be replaced with work from the incoming cohort of artists in mid-April.
If you’re interested in becoming a part of the project, there’s still time to send in your artwork to apply. “YAC is seeking new artists as well as the tried and true,” Jane shares. “If you’re wondering if your art will work, our advice is to just send it in.” Applications are available here, and artists chosen to display their work will be allotted a $250 stipend.
The current Windows Alive! artists are unanimous in their encouragement for local artists who are looking to get involved in the community. In Lynda’s words, “If you want to try, you should!” The artistic community in Yakima is thriving, and whether it be through local galleries, pop-up exhibits, festivals, or public art displays like those from YAC, there are plenty of ways to get involved. “You won’t know what happens until you put yourself out there,” Eva says. “There’s something out there for everyone.”
