Yvonne Chan

Forgetting & Remembering

In recent years, as I’ve learned more and more about the history of early Chinese-American immigrants to the States, I felt surprised by how much I discovered–and how much it seemed like we had collectively just forgotten. While I had briefly learned about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act in school, I never knew the extent of the violence and discrimination that they faced right here in the Pacific Northwest. When I looked into the history of Oak Harbor, I learned that a number of these immigrants had settled here and made their lives here in the late 1800's. I thought it would be interesting to show part of their story in the mural, through the thoughts of a contemporary girl who is looking back into her roots and her past.

Timothy Haslet

Murphy Dock and the Fairhaven

Inspired from an old photo of Oak Harbor from the early 1900’s, I chose to keep the greyscale palette while capturing it through the lens of my expressionist style seen in Whidbey Island galleries and shows. Dock Street, which runs next to the mural, is important to me because there is a view straight down to the water where Maylor Dock used to be before it burned down in the 1960’s. Oak Harbor has made steps in the past to rebuild, talking of a passenger ferry to Everett even, but this is yet to be. Maybe this mural may help to see this vision fulfilled? This is the first of many projects that I dream of working on to make Whidbey Island a more dynamic and sought-after destination.

Ariel Parrow

Dutch Clogs

I loved hearing about Oak Harbors early residents, and I thought it was interesting that one of the first was a shoemaker. When Sarah shared a photo of her relatives donning classic clogs, it seemed proper to do a nod to a traditional style shoe with the mural design. Lastly, I added in a little stamp to the inside of one of the shoes to reference the annual Oak Harbor cultural celebration called "Holland Happening". This particular mural was really fun for me- my painting style often chooses one subject to depict in a highly detailed way, and I was so happy that the details of this mural celebrated the local culture of Oak Harbor.

Forest Wolf Kell

Side Eye Seagull

This composition is created using elements significant to Oak Harbor and it's history. Each symbol and object has a direct or metaphorical connection to the city in which it resides. Each of these are arranged so that the composition as a whole is balanced and so that all things are connected.

Mari

'Island People'

This mural was inspired by the history of the Fil Am Association in Oak Harbor. The mural depicts on of the founders of the Fil Am, Bert Letrondo , and the current president Florence Brewer. Both of these powerful leaders are depicted in front of a Pacific Northwest mountain scape and a Filipino mountain scape, the two landscapes converging behind the figures to represent the intersection of the identities they hold. The intention of this was to highlight the wisdom and commitment Bert and Flo have both shown contributing to the community of Oak Harbor through bringing their cultural roots and practices to the community. As a painter, I dive fully into the history and culture of projects I am working on. For this project I consulted with members of the Fil Am about the history of the Fil Am and listened to contemporary Filipino musicians while I was painting to immerse myself in different perspectives of what it is to be Filipino American. It was truly an honor to be a part of this project.

Fox

Round Up, the mural

I often reference river and mountain landscapes with the organic shapes layered within the geometric patterns. The relationship that Indigenous people have with land is often presented as mystical, but it was built over millennia as our ancestors carefully observed and listened to their environments. I do not believe it is wholly dependent on any specific physical location; instead, it is a way of moving through the world.

For this mural (Fox’s first!) he used one of his patterns, inspired by traditional Karuk basketry - and added line work mimicking the mountain ranges visible from the Whidbey Island area. In order to achieve the texture that Fox achieves in his printmaking, we collectively played with water and paint to texturize the smooth wall and add layers similar to how wet paint might affect a paper surface. The negative space will be used as a movie screen to gather locals and visitors during warm summer nights. - kw

Lina

Pilot 1.0

This mural was heavily inspired by elements of Oak Harbor that Sarah, the local property owner, found crucial to include in the pilot Allgire mural. I brought in elements of the local waterways, Skagit Bay, the flora and fauna, farms (and the delicious berries they grow!), and the future of Oak Harbor as an Art’s hub. Through my use of bright colors and patterns in murals, I designed a piece that would activate the space and bring viewers closer to the mural and find the small treasures within the design.

Extra

I have been dreaming of using a paint sprayer as the only tool to create a mural for a while and was given the opportunity to spruce up the corner of the pilot Allgire mural. Using only the paint colors we had on hand, the paint sprayer and some water, we created a piece that cascades down the wall. Kathleen as the leader of colors and I as the hand that led the paint sprayer to do its thang!

Josie

Untitled

The piece for the Allgire project was inspired by the flowers that grow on Whidbey Island. I was lucky enough to have a local farmer contact; Pam of Sonshine Farm to help me with more info. I'm obsessed with flowers, and chose my work as a florist so I could be around them all the time. I paint floral paper cutouts in gouache, and layer the compositions. I love the delicacy of what I make and also transforming it into murals!