Kenmore Mural Project Launch

The Kenmore Art Project at St. Vincent de Paul: Painting Begins in Early May 2016

Kenmore, WA - Artists A Gaul Culley and Staci Adman, in collaboration with the City of Kenmore and St. Vincent de Paul, are launching a part-community funded campaign for a mural that tells the “Living History” of Kenmore on St. Vincent de Paul’s 12-foot by 188-foot thrift store wall. The wall’s location is on 73rd Ave NE, just off of Bothell Way.

The group has been working on the mural project for almost a year, with actual painting scheduled to begin on May 1, 2016. The artists estimate the mural will be finished in early September.

According to Culley and Adman everything in this mural is collaborative, including the one-third funding structure (one third from the City of Kenmore, one-third from St. Vincent de Paul, and one-third from local businesses and community members’ donations.)

Current community partners include: Plywood supply, Kenmore Air, Cal Portland, Snapdoodle Toys, RC Painting, AudioVisual in Lynnwood, WA, Seattle Water Sports, Kenmore Lanes, Kenmore Camera, Seattle Outboard Association, 192 Brewing Company, Arts of Kenmore, James G. Murphy.

Businesses groups and individuals that would like to make a donation or become a community partner, are asked to email the artists at kenmoremural@gmail.com

Several fundraising events are slated for the start of the project. An Opening Party BBQ, is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th, from Noon until 3 p.m. near the St. Vincent de Paul wall. The event is hosted by the Northshore Fire Foundation, Cal Portland, the Kenmore Fire and Police Departments, and the Kenmore Heritage Society.

For more information about other events, please log onto either the Kenmore Mural Facebook page or onto the City of Kenmore’s community event page.

The Kenmore Mural Project began with a simple exchange of emails between the City of Kenmore and St. Vincent de Paul staff in May of 2015.

The city wrote the non-profit saying: “We have been looking for creative ways to surprise and delight residents through artwork, activities and events. We specifically think there’s a great opportunity at St. Vincent de Paul for a community mural. This would add a sense of place to Kenmore, and it would be a fun way for St. Vincent de Paul to engage the community as well.”

St. Vincent senior management saw the potential impact such a project could have and the organization began meeting the city in earnest early it in the summer of 2015 to begin the long process of discussing all the details associated with a project of this magnitude.

“We wanted to deepen our connection with the community that has been so generous and gracious to us. Our Kenmore store is the flagship of our five stores in King County, where we have the most donations and the best sales performance record,” said Ned Delmore, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul.

One of King county’s oldest and most respected charitable organizations, St. Vincent de Paul has a network of five thrift stores and manages numerous social service programs. Proceeds from St. Vincent de Paul’s thrift stores fund programs to help people all over King County.

Then in October of 2015, the Kenmore City Council approved the project and unanimously voted to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for a mural along the western wall of the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Kenmore.

In January of 2016, the City of Kenmore entered into a 20-year lease agreement with St. Vincent de Paul for the use of the wall space at no cost to the city. St. Vincent de Paul and the City of Kenmore will work together over the life of the mural to fund-raise for the needed maintenance.

“This project would not be possible without the collaboration, resources and insights offered by the board and the members of the Kenmore Heritage Society. Their cooperation and enthusiasm to work with us has been wonderful,” noted artist A Gaul Culley.

“Because the scale of this mural and location are quite significant, our hope is that this stimulate a larger vision of integrating arts and culture into Kenmore, deepening sense of place for community members and those who visit here,” explained Gaul and Staci.

Kenmore Mayor David Baker said: “the Council’s vote was based on a proposal put forth by Kenmore artists Amberly “Gaul” Culley and Staci Adman, who proposed to design and paint a mural that would will tell the story of Kenmore through imagery that resonates with the community.” The Mayor went on to say that “we are excited to move forward with this exciting project that will contribute to a sense of place in its cultural richness.”

In addition to the artists email address at kenmoremural@gmail.com you may email St. Vincent de Paul at communications@svdpseattle.org or visit www.svdpseattle.org/mural

The Kenmore Mural Project at St. Vincent de Paul

Fundraising Calendar Key Dates

MID APRIL-May 30 Snapdoodle Toys Coloring Nights

Once a week Snapdoodle will sponsor a coloring night specifically with pages from the Story of Kenmore Coloring book. Open to all ages and free! Call Snapdoodle for exact time for these events.

April 16TH 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Kenmore Hydroplane Cup

Artists A Gaul Culley and Staci Adman will will be selling The Story of Kenmore coloring book and shirts. This will be the first opportunity to purchase any merchandise. This event is free!

April 24TH 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Bowling night at Kenmore Lanes

Come bowl with us! $20 per person that includes a game and shoes.

May 7th Noon - 3 p.m. Opening party/BBQ with the Fire Department at the wall.

Sponsored by the Kenmore Fire Foundation, Cal-Portland, Kenmore Fire and Police Departments, & the Kenmore Heritage Society. Kenmore’s first fire truck the “Whoopie Wagon” will be on display.

May 13th 5PM cocktail hour, 6-9PM Inglewood Golf Course Art Auction.

Sponsored by Inglewood Golf Course, Kenmore Business Alliance, Arts of Kenmore and James G. Murphy. A limited edition print of each of the 21 drawings will be auctioned. Artists A Gaul Culley & Staci Adman to share stories of their inspiration of each of the drawings. Guests will enjoy dinner and a cash bar. $50 per person; limited to 200 guests.

Featured is artwork from the conceptualization of the mural by artists A Gaul Culley and Staci Adman.

Photo features (from left to right): Kenmore City Manager Rob Karlinsey, A Gaul Culley, City Intern Brennan Jernigan and Staci Adman. Photo taken by Kathleen Hicks.