Channeling Mr. Rogers

The call came while I sat with my sketchbook on my lap, playing with ideas for the transformational design of the new South Whidbey Community Center.  I answered.  It was Mr. Rogers saying, “Hello Neighbor.” “Hello Mr. Rogers.” He showed up at the perfect time, reminding me of the importance of PLAY and LOVE.  He said, ”Make it fun, playful, inviting. Warm and connecting. YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. After all, we’ve been neighbors since you were a kid!"  

Yes, I absolutely know how to do that!  So with the intention to create something FAST, as in less than 48-hours fast, Mr. Rogers inspired my pen to hit the paper and I started to play!  

South Whidbey Community Center, formerly Langley High School and Middle School on Whidbey Island, was hosting its first big public event, their open house. Island residents would be experiencing the Center in its new incarnation, a hub of artists, artisans, body workers and social justice advocates, for the first time. Formerly a pedagogical institution, is now a house of nurture and nourish.  A place that formerly grew students and learners is now a place that grows community and opportunities.

Mr Rogers inspired SAY HELLO, an art installation with the distinct intention for people to look up, smile and connect.  Even while installing the hand painted signage on the wall, the signs that read SAY HELLO, people walked in, looked up at us and said HELLO. It was working already.  Just as Mr. Rogers would have designed it.

Thanks, Mr. Rogers.  You taught me well. 

~THE WOLF

BAM.

 ART finds me.  It pokes at me.  Pay attention.  It screams at me.  Listen.  It shines it's high beams at me.  SEE.  Creativity won't let me sleep.  Won't let me take a back seat.  Won't let me walk away.  I hear you.  I see you.  I feel you.  

Okay, you got my attention.

~the Wolf

SWINGERATORS

Here's what we know - 

Office workers sit too much. Startups are intense. Movement increases brain function.  Brain function is to startups as oxygen is to breathing. Sitting stagnates. As a dear friend of mine says, “sitting is the new smoking…just plain bad for you”.

As kids, swings were the draw. On swings we flew. We were daring. Testing the limits of the chain and structure, at peak height we soared into the air landing with a thud in the sand. We were free. Flying. The world was ours.

As teens, swings took on new purpose, as a place to gather. Sway and talk. Connect with our bffs. Gush about our latest crush. Dreaming about what was to come. 

We designed the Swingerators for Ivy Softworks with that lens to the past, knowing that freedom of thought and creativity come with motion. 

The Swingerators are idea generators.  When work is intense, blocks occur, and stress overwhelms, the Swingerators free your mind. Creativity through motion. The pure joy of flying through indoor space, on top of the world, nature seen through the storybook windows. 

The Swingerators are built from salvaged bleacher board from Shoreline High School.  Determined to use every bit of material, many of the furnishings throughout Ivy Softworks have accents of these bleacher boards. The boards tell stories through ABC (already been chewed) gum stuck to their bottoms, visions of football, track, baseball, crowds gathering in community, victory, defeat.  A collective. 

Salvaged bleacher boards in the raw from local Seattle high school.

And boy can you fly! 

Ivy Softworks front entry.  Pioneer Square, Seattle.