Health & Fitness
Cynthia Knox Saw a Need, Founded SummerSet Arts Festival
Don't say "good bye" to summer quite yet. Celebrate in style this weekend.
Never underestimate the power of one woman. Especially if she’s inspired. And an artist, accustomed to transformations.
When Cynthia Knox, a Shoreline artist who felt isolated in her studio, sought a sense of community – she found a thriving artistic base. One problem – it was in Fremont. She gazed at Fremont’s Fair, Solstice Parade, and its other celebrations and thought: “Why not here, in Shoreline?”
Now, her idea has become reality.
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This weekend, SummerSet Arts Festival will take over Ronald Bog Park. The event is a suburban version of Fremont’s festivities. No naked bicyclists. No statue of Lenin.
Just pure fun. Merriment. Music. Drumming. Dance. Sculpture. Labyrinth walking. Storytelling. Art-making. Park tours. A tribute to summer, before it departs.
Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I met Cynthia, as I snapped photos for my first blog post yesterday morning. “Ah, a fellow artist,” she said. I was surprised to see her so early in the day. Hardly anyone was around. Two groundskeepers were blowing leaves. Excitedly, she explained Saturday’s events and showed me the decorated trees.
You’ve probably caught a glimpse, too. If you’ve driven by NE 175th and Meridian lately, you’ve likely seen colorful trees. Bright red. Purple. Periwinkle. In case you haven’t noticed, the trees are wearing “socks.”
To set a celebratory mood, three dozen Shoreline knitters created outfits for more than 50 trees by the park. A labor of time and love. Knitting for a tree is no small task.
Ditto the labyrinth. Schoolchildren carefully assembled recycled objects into a rope, which will shape the labyrinth. Sculptors are installing magnificent, impressive structures.
The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association, Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council, Shoreline Parks, neighborhood businesses, and volunteers have all pitched in. With the help of local grants, they’re building community.
Go. Take a few moments to breathe in the pine-scented air of the arboretum. Renew your spirit and pay homage.
Duwamish tribal members will be there. A century ago, the site was a cranberry bog. Tribal hunters fished at Richmond Beach, then stopped at the cranberry bog on their return home.
“The SummerSet Arts Festival: Celebrating Ronald Bog” runs this Saturday, September 15 at Ronald Bog Park at NE 175th and Meridian, from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the SummerSet Arts Festival on Facebook.
