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.
Joy DumasWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I love living in Yakima because it is the place I have called home for most of my life and is also home to many of my family members. I appreciate living in an area where you can experience all four seasons. We are fortunate to live in an area rich with agriculture. There is more to experience than people realize. To name a few, I enjoy hiking with friends, attending the symphony, live music events, and eating good authentic Mexican food.
WHY INSIDE OUT: As the ASB president of Davis High School, I represent the youth in our community.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 11 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: As the ASB president of Davis High School, I represent the youth in our community.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 11 years
Brenda BarriosWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I love Yakima because my family lives here. It's a great small town to be able to take time to breathe and think. It allows you to be intentional and goal oriented.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 21 years
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 21 years
Ed BirgeWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Near the mountains. Cooler than Arizona. The rivers actually have water in them.
WHY INSIDE OUT: La Casa
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 13 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: La Casa
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 13 years
Jamaica ZoglmanWHY I HEART YAKIMA: When I first moved to Yakima I didn't expect to love it. It was a hard transition from my former home in Seattle. Everything was different, from the weather, to the politics, to the food, to the landscape. But here I am, almost a decade later, and Yakima has become so dear to me that the idea of leaving makes my heart ache. I love the craggy basalt columns of the canyon, where I feel like I'm looking at the very bikes of the earth. I love the deep winters that have taught me how to lean into the cold and darkness. I love the people-- the ones who think like me and the ones who laugh and call me a tree hugger-- because they are unfailingly friendly and kind, no matter what our differences may be. I love the smell of hops in the fall and the boom of the orchard cannons and the sight of sunlight glinting off of the irrigation canal running right through the middle of town, because this city is fundamentally a place where things GROW. I love Yakima. I never expected to, and now I will never stop.
WHY INSIDE OUT: Yakima nurtures its artists in surprising ways. I came here from a city where you needed to prove that you mattered before you were welcome to join the artistic conversation. You needed credentials or credibility in order to call yourself an artist. Here in Yakima, I feel like that space has been opened up for anyone willing to join in. I love it. I believe so strongly in the power of public art and the importance of holding that artistic space for anyone brave enough to participate.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 8 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: Yakima nurtures its artists in surprising ways. I came here from a city where you needed to prove that you mattered before you were welcome to join the artistic conversation. You needed credentials or credibility in order to call yourself an artist. Here in Yakima, I feel like that space has been opened up for anyone willing to join in. I love it. I believe so strongly in the power of public art and the importance of holding that artistic space for anyone brave enough to participate.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 8 years
Quinn DalanWHY I HEART YAKIMA: It's become home in a way that no place ever has been. The people are wonderful and there is always something to do. When I was looking at jobs I initially avoided applying to Yakima because of things I had heard growing up, but when I came for a job interview I knew that this would be home. And it has been. I met my husband here, I had my sons here and raise them both in the Yakima Valley. Even my two year old knows that he lives in "Yakima" and has an IHY shirt to show his love. I have met some of the best people in Yakima - it's great to be part of such an amazing community! The sun, the mountains, the wine, the beer - if people are bored in Yakima then they aren't paying attention. I always want to do everything but when I pack our day full of five different events, my husband reminds me that we don't have time for all of it and that I should pick three events.
WHY INSIDE OUT: I'm always willing to be part of something that makes Yakima better or shows others how great Yakima is. I've lived a lot of places and Yakima is my favorite.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 9 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: I'm always willing to be part of something that makes Yakima better or shows others how great Yakima is. I've lived a lot of places and Yakima is my favorite.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 9 years
Samuel SanchezWHY I HEART YAKIMA: This was my childhood - My elementary school McKinley, had all these cool events and great and loving teachers in my time. I was very comfortable with all the schools I attended in Yakima, including, my favorite high school, A.C. Davis. When I was in high school, my grandparents told me to get a job, so I did. And my first job was Subway. Even though I also worked at the fairgrounds at the summer time. Del Monte on walnut kept me busy during school at the time. I enjoy heading to some of Yakima's best known restaurants like Sub Shop, Cowiche Canyon, Miners, Ron's Tacos and Burgers (for their ice cream), Yo Yakima, Taco El Rey, and Mel's Diner. Yakima has great shows that happens in the Capitol Theatre. Yakima builds a community open to the public and for those in need. I help out with one that gave me a better life – Rod’s House.
WHY INSIDE OUT: Because I'm sick and tired of people that say Yakima sucks and there's nothing to do. I'm here to tell you that there's a lot to do. Just show up and participate in Yakima's events or their outreach. Yakima has restaurants after restaurants, a mall, local music stores, local game shops, lots of barbershops, and a great big welcome. I'm one of the guys that don't want to complain or hear complaints. Keep your head up.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 12 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: Because I'm sick and tired of people that say Yakima sucks and there's nothing to do. I'm here to tell you that there's a lot to do. Just show up and participate in Yakima's events or their outreach. Yakima has restaurants after restaurants, a mall, local music stores, local game shops, lots of barbershops, and a great big welcome. I'm one of the guys that don't want to complain or hear complaints. Keep your head up.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 12 years
Belle SinselWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Married to Brad Sinsel and I love Yakima. Could never move back to the Big City again.
WHY INSIDE OUT: Fun project, cool photographer
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 7 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: Fun project, cool photographer
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 7 years
Belijica CortezWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I grew up as a migrant farm worker. My parents followed the crops across the valley. Living in this area has showed me what hard work and dedication is. being able to be a successful young women can inspire others to become the best in Yakima.
WHY INSIDE OUT: I want to be able to participate in community event s and share a part of me to my community.
HOW LONG IN YAKIMA: My whole life, 28 years
WHY INSIDE OUT: I want to be able to participate in community event s and share a part of me to my community.
HOW LONG IN YAKIMA: My whole life, 28 years
Amanda ShipmanWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I love living in Yakima because my neighborhood is so friendly and the schools my kids go to are so awesome. We have block parties on my street, we all know each other. At school the staff is friendly and through PTA I know all the kids. It's close knit communities that make Yakima great. We all watch out for each other.
WHY INSIDE OUT: This project is amazing and I would love to be a part. I think it would be cool for the kids to see my face and say “I know her. She does so much for our school.” Plus, my heart is Yakima and I already represent us in Olympia anytime I can so why not be a face here in a town I'm advocating for?
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 4 yrs resident, Yakima Valley 35 yrs
WHY INSIDE OUT: This project is amazing and I would love to be a part. I think it would be cool for the kids to see my face and say “I know her. She does so much for our school.” Plus, my heart is Yakima and I already represent us in Olympia anytime I can so why not be a face here in a town I'm advocating for?
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 4 yrs resident, Yakima Valley 35 yrs
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
