“A Call for Inspiration” -- Participate in Designing the New Gateway to Skagit County Sign

What imagery represents the true essence of Skagit Valley? A 2010 Leadership Skagit team wants your ideas about what makes our valley unique. This Call for Inspiration is open to everyone interested in helping inspire the design of a new Scenic Agricultural Corridor sign being installed on both northbound and southbound Interstate 5 shoulders just after you enter Skagit County.Remember that feeling of “I’m home” as you crest the hill at Starbird Road or Bow Hill? Leadership Skagit’s Team Freative, with the collaboration of state, county and local governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, is creating signage to welcome locals home and help tourists return to our pictorial valley. Be part of this historic gateway landmark by summiting your design ideas.With the passage of Senate bill 6211, I-5 through Skagit County is now a designated Agricultural Scenic Corridor. Along with this designation, the 2010 Leadership Skagit Team Freative, consisting of Kate Bratches, Kathy Larson, Jill Rohrs, Scott Sutton and Anthony Young, took on this project and has gained governmental and community support and funding for this gateway signage.One organization to make a significant difference in the passage of SB 6211 is Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF). “The designation of the State’s first Agricultural Scenic Corridor will have an enormous impact on the way people view and value Skagit Valley and the natural resources, beauty and quality of life that Skagit Valley represents” says Allen Rozema, Executive Director of SPF. “Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland is pleased and excited to work with this Leadership Skagit Team on the first project of this new corridor, a gateway sign to notify travelers they are entering one of the State’s most treasured places.”The Leadership Skagit Team will receive matching grant funding from Skagit County to help cover the costs of the signs. Additionally, the cities of Burlington and Mount Vernon have both contributed to this project; Anacortes’s contribution is pending. Sharon Dillon commenting on behalf of the three commissioners, “We all know that feeling of home when we enter the Valley. The Skagit County Commissioners are proud to be part of this Leadership Skagit project that will show the pride we all have to live in a valley that is so rich in agricultural benefits to the state.” The Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG), Skagit County Chamber Executive Directors Association (SCCEDA) and various other organizations have also been important supporters of this venture.The ten foot by ten foot signs will not only welcome visitors into our stunning valley, but an area on each sign approximately six feet by nine feet will include a mural or artwork depicting the intrinsic values and iconic images that make this scenic agricultural corridor truly unique.This Call for Inspiration is open to everyone who may be interested in helping inspire the design of the signs including artists, farmers, naturalists, teachers, students, retirees, scientists, graphic designers, architects, and you! Groups and families can get involved too. Children are encouraged to provide input as well. “We welcome ideas from everyone. It would be exciting to see families or classrooms take this opportunity to explore the characteristics of our valley that make Skagit Valley stunningly unique,” said Jill Rohrs team member of Leadership Skagit.Drawings and ideas can be submitted in either hard copy, paper and pencil sketches, crayon, water colors, etc. or electronic formats (jpg, tif, pdf, ppt, doc, or rtf). Finished artwork/products are not expected. A committee from various government and community organizations will make the final design concept selection. Installation is anticipated later this year.Submissions are due no later than Wednesday June 30, 2010. They can be delivered to the Leadership Skagit office at:Mailing address:Leadership SkagitP.O. Box 40Mount Vernon WA 98273Street Address:Leadership Skagit 204 West MontgomeryMount Vernon, WA 98273Or send by e-mail to:Kathy Larson at kathy.larson@pse.comShould you have questions about this project or the “Call for Inspiration”, please call LS Team Member Kathy Larson at 360-941-2019.