This year the theme for the Season of Creation is “To hope and act with Creation.”
Labyrinth of Lanterns: A Community Art Installation
OSLC and the non-profit Issaquah Arts have partnered up to provide opportunities to encourage hope and action for Christians and non-Christians alike. As a visible sign for hope, we will create a temporary labyrinth on the meadow in the back of the church building, transforming industrial-sized cans into lanterns. Lanterns and garlands will form the shape of the labyrinth.
Workshops will be offered for people to make these out of locally sourced materials. All are invited to participate. From Saturday, September 21 until October 6, the labyrinth will be accessible to all during the daytime. The lanterns will be lit every night from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
The initial shape of the labyrinth has been staked out with more than 500 white flags in the meadow behind the church. There’s a nature mandala being assembled under the cedar tree in the lawn along Front Street S (offering a visual treat to commuters); bring some flowers, leaves, or branches to add, if you’d like. Artistic wooden signs have been specially created from pallets for signage along Front Street S. Lantern making workshops continue, using the hundreds of cans donated by six Issaquah restaurants.
Check out this short video made by artist Liz St. Andre showcasing community involvement and preparations for the Season of Creation/Arts Sanctuary here at OSLC. Be sure to turn on the sound!
Resident Artist and Art Workshops
Artist in Residence Janice King is working to assemble her fabric art piece, Trees of Memory Future. downstairs at OSLC (Room 14/15). During this month, more artists will offer workshops with a focus on art rooted in nature.
To learn more about events and/or to RSVP, click the button below. All events are free except for the Cyanotype Botanical Print Workshops on September 24 and 26. Each Cyanotype workshop costs $85; that fee includes all materials. Space is limited, and registration is required.
RSVP is not required for free events, but we would love to know you ‘re coming!
Other Organizations Getting Involved
- Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is loaning 100 baby trees from its nursery for the labyrinth (Thanks, Ken Konigsmark!).
- Issaquah Parks Department has salvaged cedar boughs and a large rock for the center of the labyrinth from a trail renovation at Hillside Park. The cedar will complement the lanterns, forming the rings of the labyrinth, while the rock grounds the center of the design.
- Musicians from the Issaquah Philharmonic and Suzuki Strings will play in the sanctuary on the opening night of the labyrinth.
Schedule of Events
Sunday, September 15
Artist Talk with Janice King at OSLC Coffee Hour in Anderson Hall at 11:00 a.m.
Drop-in Lantern Making in Anderson Hall from 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17
Harvest Moon Celebration, Anderson Hall from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
This will be a get-together of all those who are creating and participating in this Season of Creation/Arts Sanctuary. It will include snacks and hot cider. Anderson Hall will be specially decorated to offer a sneak peek at the lanterns and the elements that will be used to shape the labyrinth. Artist Liz St. Andre will be making luminaries from her cyanotype prints. You can also make lanterns for the last time and spend time with Janice King in the art studio.
Saturday, September 21
Autumn Equinox: Opening of the Labyrinth of Lanterns from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
This is the official opening night of the labyrinth. You can walk the illuminated labyrinth in the meadow behind the church, relax around a fire pit, and even drop in to hear Issaquah Philharmonic and Suzuki Strings’ musicians in the sanctuary. The sanctuary will offer a reflective space to sit down before or after you walk the labyrinth, including a display of dozens of cyanotype-art-wrapped candles (with LED lights).
Sunday, September 22
Guided Walk with Issaquah Alps Trails Club, Labyrinth, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24
Cyanotype Botanical Print Workshop, Anderson Hall, 1:00-3:30 p.m., registration required – click here to sign up
Thursday, September 26
Open Studio with Janice King, OSLC Atelier, Ground Floor, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 28
Cyanotype Botanical Print Workshop, Anderson Hall, 1:00-3:30 p.m., registration required – click here to sign up
Sunday, September 29
Labyrinth Gathering with Pr. Kristin-Luana Baumann: Blessed are the Peacemakers, 2:00 -3:00 p.m.
We will gather in the labyrinth and hold people in war-torn areas in our thoughts and prayers.
To learn more about Issaquah Arts and the Trees of Memory Future, click the button below.