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.

Maria MartinezWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I chose Yakima because it is where my family is.

WHY INSIDE OUT: Because I wanted to support my daughter and I Heart Yakima.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 22 years

Lavender ZoglmanWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I love Yakima because I have kitties here and I grew up here and I like my yard because it's beautiful and has chickens.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 6 years

Diego Stone

Colleen Smith

Dana KovatsWHY I HEART YAKIMA: It's beautiful, and so vibrant with growth. Agriculture, art, music, community and climate late all in the verge of greatness here, yet there's a warmth *even during the endless winter of 2016-2017* within the small town vibe. I embrace the Latino culture of my husband's family who have been here for generations, and love the proximity to my former hometown Seattle. I love this side of our amazing State, and all it has to offer. The low cost of living affords such a rich lifestyle, and the surrounding wilderness is our playground so many months of the year too! I was once a city girl, yet found my life transplanted in Yakima, encouraged by both my professional trades, and welcomed by a whole new world of friends.

WHY INSIDE OUT: There's misconception about Yakima. It's beauty and appeal are slow to reveal themselves, I am one of the last people anyone would expect to find roots in this Valley, yet here I am. Raising a glass and changing people's minds are two things I do well. If like to share my testimony.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 11 years

Becky TeagardenWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Because the first time we came here, Yakima felt like home.

Felicia HernandezWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I Heart Yakima for so many reasons. I love the valley for its geographical and natural beauty; the activities, opportunity, and healing that our landscape affords us is invaluable. In one direction, we can find desert; in another direction you find rainforest, and in another, a ski resort. How many valleys can boast such qualities? I love that our landscape also affords the greatest bounty in fruit, hops, grapes for wine, and vegetables. This bounty that makes us world renowned is such a source of pride. I love that our landscape calls so many to it, resulting in a variety of cultures, languages, and perspectives that help shape the Yakima narrative. I don't dare call it a melting pot, but more of a potluck; we all have our own offering that we bring to the table, that helps to feed the soul of those who live here, without giving up the integrity of our origins. I love that Yakima continues to grow in arts and entertainment; we are salsa dancing, Roots and Vine-ing, Wine Diva-ing, chinookfesting, and Hackett Ranching; we are Tour of Artists' home-ing, Maker Space-ing, mural-ing, PechaKucha-ing, and TED-ing. I love that in times of injustice, stress, uncertainty, and violence, community members are standing up for Yakima. We are naming problems and asking for accountability-- we are not passive observers. I love that Yakima is looking to tackle those issues, by focusing on prevention for young people and their families. I love Yakima because I love myself; without the influences and hands of this town, I would not be me.

WHY INSIDE OUT: want to participate in INSIDE OUT because I am proud of who I am; I am proud of Yakima. I have so many good things to say about this place, and so many things I want to do to make this place better. There are so many people who think Yakima is going downhill, that it has nothing to offer. I would like to use my portrait to show that Yakima is moving forward; that Yakima has promise and purpose.

Vienne Alrashedy

Agus RankinWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I moved from Argentina 10 years ago, I really think is a great place to raise my 2 boys, I love the people, I was able to make my own American family. To show that immigrants can blend in Yakima, this is home to me.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 10 Years

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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

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