INSIDE OUT: Love where you live • I Heart Yakima

Over 167 proud Yakima residents came to I Heart Yakima’s INSIDE OUT photoshoots this summer to declare that they love where they live. These Yakima-loving residents had their photos taken by Sally Tonkin, and their black and white portraits were printed on paper and installed, larger than life, on the side of the Ron’s Coin & Book building in downtown Yakima in September 2017. More than two dozen local volunteers helped with installation on two very warm days – a testament to community teamwork.

The INSIDE OUT: Love Where You Live project celebrates the people of Yakima. Those who live here, doing the daily work of caring for their families, neighbors, and the greater community, are the people who create a positive future for Yakima. INSIDE OUT is a global art project designed for people to share their stories and transform messages of personal identity into works of public art. There are 260,000 people – and counting – who are part of INSIDE OUT across the world.

Brooke Neufeld

James Vera

Cesar VaqueraWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Thanks to everyone who impacted my life. As a young artist so many to name ya'll hold a special place in my heart. A job injury led me to a negative state of mind. I chose to remain positive and tap into my talents. I've recently started doing murals around Yakima after 20 years of no art. It's also great to help out at Evans Boxing Club where I boxed as a kid at the Madison House and competed in the Golden Gloves at YVC.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: All my life.

Austyn HuttonWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I have always loved living in Yakima! This is where my people are, this is where my community is. The people here have a genuine care for each other. It's hard for me to point out specific reasons because for me it has always been about the people. Yakima people are just MY PEOPLE. Even when I was in high school and so many people were talking about wanting to leave I always said I would love it if I lived in Yakima my entire life. One thing I have recently discovered is how caring the medical staff is in Yakima. All of the medical faculties I go to are affiliated with Virgina Mason Memorial and I am proud of the level of excellence that I have experienced there. Yakima is also a beautiful place to live. I love how I can drive my family 20 minutes and go on a family hike. Or we can go and pick our produce. My husband and I are happy to be raising our four small kids here. Yakima is in our blood.

WHY INSIDE OUT: The best thing about Yakima is the people and I think that that is what the INSIDE OUT project is showcasing. I think it would be cool to be a part of that. I think that it would neat to show my kids that this is somewhere that invests in its people. This is a project I can get behind and I would love to be a part of it.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 22 years

Dia LorrineWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I grew up in the Yakima valley, and honestly? I despised it. Couldn't wait to get away. And I did, to Alaska, California, New Mexico, Portland and Seattle... but I've always been drawn back. This is something that has always confounded me, until this last trip home. I've been back in the valley for a couple of years, now, and I couldn't be happier. Being an active participant in the cultural shift taking place in this valley heals my heart. I'm here to be a part of the change!

WHY INSIDE OUT:

Quinlen LogsdonWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Because I have great friends.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 6.5 years

Cristian MartinezWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I love Yakima because there are different things that make Yakima good, different, and unique at the same time.

WHY INSIDE OUT: I am in this program because I want people to know that other people care about this lovely city.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: Since birth

Hailey AdkisonWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Family has lived in Yakima their entire life. Has a very distinct culture that I love to be a part of.

WHY INSIDE OUT: Love supporting my community as an involved student. Have been involved with IHY before.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 16 years

Vienne Alrashedy

1 2 3 … 19 Next

Thank You

We are grateful for the city-wide support and enthusiasm for this project, without it—and you — INSIDE OUT Yakima wouldn’t have been possible. A big thank you also to our sponsors. Our city is filled with tremendous local talent, we are so happy to have their support.

Inside Out Yakima is – by its very nature – a temporary installation. If you’d like to keep your image forever, photographer Sally Tonkin will give you the digital file. And, you’ll live on forever right here. Thanks Yakima!

—The Team at I Heart Yakima

Thank You

Footer