And the KAC Stories Keep Coming!

HAVE YOU VOTED FOR KIRKLAND ARTS CENTER? These voters have. (You can, too!)

Submitted by MaryWh at: April 22, 2010
One summer in the early 1980s, I taught a recorder class for children in the upper room (known then as “The Skylight Room,” I think). All the kids played soprano recorders, which, even for adults, tend not to be in tune with each other. The room’s acoustics were ultra live, esp. right under the skylight, where the class met. Often, when my ears were ringing with high-pitched harmonics, an elderly water color artist would emerge from his adjoining studio and tell the children they played like angels…which they did, in a manner of speaking. I loved teaching that class despite the sound.

Submitted by Carol at: April 22, 2010
In the late 90′s I worked for several years across the street from the KAC building. It wasn’t until last summer that I spent time there taking art classes. A beautiful treasure in our area, especially the skylight room on the top floor.

Submitted by MommaT at: April 22, 2010
My family has enjoyed many an art class in this beautiful, historic building. The staff & classes are wonderful. My youngest daughter asked me to go with her to the restroom & commented that the plumbing seemed as old as the building. This was of interest to us because we own a plumbing company. She wanted to know why they didn’t have a plumber put new pipes in the building. I let her know that they probably didn’t have the funding to pay for new plumbing. So we hope that KAC recieves this grant & is able to use it for the unsung hero of a building – the plumbing!

Submitted by Lee at: April 22, 2010
I have attended showings and purchased pottery at the Kirkland Arts Center. The proposed restoration is greatly needed and would make the Center a yet more important contributor to the historic fabric of the eastside.

Submitted by Nan at: April 22, 2010
Class instructors are great and playing in the mud (ceramics) is always fun!

Submitted by Carolyn at: April 22, 2010
Twenty-two years ago, we held our daughter’s 7th grade dance on the top floor! That’s historic! Our family has always LOVED this beautiful building, inside and out!

Have a KAC story to share? Contribute here.

Cast your daily vote for Kirkland Center here, through May 12!

Thank you for supporting Kirkland Arts Center!

Share your Story: Kirkland Arts Center + Partners in Preservation

We want you to share your stories about Kirkland Art Center over the years! On the Partners in Preservation website, you can do just that. Have you ever taken a class, a workshop? Can you describe your experience in the beautiful turret room? Have you been an artist featured in one of the many past exhibitions? What is your most memorable moment at KAC? Are you a Seattle or Eastside community member who can’t imagine the arts community without KAC? Take a few moments to talk about your personal experiences and interactions at the landmark Peter Kirk building. By sharing your story – and your daily votes – you will continue to build upon the legacy of this historic site.

Do your part by posting your story and voting at this site right now!

A Brief History of Kirkland Arts Center and Why You Should Vote to Restore KAC!

From the Partners in Preservation website:

Kirkland Arts Center

Housed in the original, historic building built by Kirkland’s founder, Peter Kirk, the Kirkland Arts Center represents a realization of the dream of eleven Kirkland citizens to share the gift of art with the community. The charming brick building contains airy studios in which students, teachers, and friends come together to create and appreciate art. A Partners in Preservation grant is needed to assist in the redesign and reorganization of the building’s second story and main entrance, which will allow the Center to more effectively serve the community. Protecting this stately structure will ensure that the Kirkland Arts Center will be able to engage the Eastside community for years to come.

What is the historical significance of this site?
Built in 1892, the Peter Kirk Building provided offices for Kirkland founder and steel magnate, Peter Kirk. The building dropped out of commercial use in 1962, but citizens came together to protect the most important building associated with their city’s founder and repurposed it to serve their community. Eleven Kirkland residents, led by art instructor William Radcliffe, rallied to purchase the building with their own money, envisioning the creation of an arts center for all members of the community.

What is the current use of the site?
The original 11 owners’ dream has become a reality.  First established as the Creative Arts League, the Kirkland Arts Center promotes the creation of and appreciation for contemporary art in the community.  Today, the Kirkland Arts Center welcomes thousands of individuals from the Eastside and other Seattle areas, and in 2012 will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Why this site needs your support:
Kirkland Arts Center constantly touches the lives of thousands of youth and adults through dynamic arts education and exhibitions programming.  A Partners in Preservation grant would fund the rehabilitation of the second story and entryway as well as the restoration of historic details to the building’s signature Turret Room. The proposed renovations to the Kirkland Arts Center would allow increased efficiency in space and energy use, improve and expand programming, and more strongly connect the Eastside community to its rich history.