PORT OF FRIDAY HARBOR

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List of news stories about the Port of Friday Harbor

Tile mural installed at Spring Street Landing

Ms. Wight's third-grade class yesterday (May 22, 2000) inspected the recently installed tile mural at the Spring Street Landing building at the Port of Friday. The Friday Harbor Elementary School students and many other children painted tiles for the mural commemorating the port's 50th anniversary. Donations are still being accepted to help pay for the public art project (see below).

Donations requested to cover
San Juan Island's largest public art project

posted 04/28/00
Artists Chinmayo and Beth Spadafora won't have to choose which tiles painted by San Juan Island children will be placed in a mural to be installed at the Port of Friday's Spring Street Landing. Instead of only 129 tiles, 300-plus will become part of the art project that commemorates the port's 50th anniversary.

Port of Friday Harbor commissioners, during an April 26 meeting, approved expanding the mural, which will cover a 22-foot by 4-foot area. After Chinmayo and Spadafora asked for permission to seek $1,350 in donations to pay for the expansion, Commissioner Greg Hertel, noting he'd have "a hard time" telling some child their tile wasn't included, offered to loan the artists money while the additional funds are being solicited and collected.

Chinmayo and Spadafora said some islanders have already offered to donate to the project. For more information about contributing to San Juan Island's largest public art project, call Chinmayo at 378-2523 or Beth Spadafora at 378-4368.

The two artists, who proposed the project, taught more than 25 classes at local schools and the public library.

"Our community has had a huge response," Chinmayo told the commissioners.

"We've spent a heck of a lot of time in the schools," Spadafora added.

Port commissioners and staff were impressed with the tiles, which feature mussels, a mermaid, a starfish, many species of fish and other vibrantly colored sea creatures. Commissioner Charlie Nash, a longtime fisherman, smiled when the artists pointed out a salmon painted by one of his young relatives.

"I think it's going to look great," Hertel said.

Chinmayo and Spadafora plan to install the mural by May 15, 2000 two weeks earlier than previously estimated.

Tile mural planned for Port of Friday Harbor's 50th Anniversary

By Matt Pranger

Starting this summer visitors arriving in Friday Harbor via Spring Street Landing will be greeted by a 4-by-10-foot "Welcome Tile Map" of San Juan Island. During a Jan. 26, 2000 meeting, Port of Friday Harbor commissioners approved funding for the community art project, which will commemorate the port’s five decades of service to islanders.

Port commissioners Charlie Nash and Greg Hertel approved paying up to $6,400 to artists Chinmayo and Beth Spadafora for the installation of the ceramic tile map on a blank wall of the Spring Street Landing building. The project, proposed by Chinmayo, will be completed by local residents.

"The whole idea is to do public art - art for the people, by the people," Chinmayo said.

While adults’ assistance will be appreciated, Chinmayo and Spadafora will be actively encouraging submissions from young artists. "The art teachers at the schools are willing to work with us," Spadafora said.

The children’s participation will help the young artists establish more of "an investment in their community," Spadafora added.

Homeschoolers are also welcome to work on the mural.

Hertel suggested there should be "ome sort of quality control" for the public art piece. "It should be casual but timeless," he said.

There is no guarantee all of the bright-colored tiles created will be included in the mural. Chinmayo noted tiles not acceptable for the mural, plus any excess tiles, might be used in other public arts projects in Friday Harbor. "It’s all inclusive. If we run out of tiles, we can find places for them," she said

Spadafora and Chinmayo hope to complete the project by Memorial Day.

Chinmayo creates art in Chinmayo Studio. Beth Spadafora crafts functional and ornate hand-painted ceramic tiles in Wild Tiles.

Call Chinmayo at 378-2523 for more information about the project.