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.

Renee DiazWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I've lived here my whole life. It's my home, it's who I am. And I love everything about it.

WHY INSIDE OUT: It shows our unique, beautiful, diverse community.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 17 years

Brianna HenryWHY I HEART YAKIMA: Yakima is my home. I grew up here and then left to attend WWU. I returned and currently work as a high school teacher at Stanton Academy. After spending time on the west side, I gained an appreciation for Yakima. The weather is fabulous and I have come to love the small-town feel. I have seen the effort our community is putting in to reviving downtown and making it a place that is welcoming to all and even one that a millennial like myself can enjoy. The local beer shops, music shows, wineries, and new restaurants and businesses make it a place I am excited to invite my friends to visit. Many have assumptions about Yakima and one of my favorite things to do is show them how wonderful it really is.

WHY INSIDE OUT: For my students. Many have grown up downtown. I want to show them that there is nothing to be ashamed of in living in Yakima. I want them to take pride in their community and if they leave, one day come back and contribute in a positive way. I want to show them that people value this place and want to be here; that it is somewhere wonderful. I also want to send a message (to those in their 20's) that Yakima is a cool, exciting, and fun place to be and thrive right now.  

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 20 years (I was born and raised here then left for college and came back)

Byron Gumz

Luke RojanWHY I HEART YAKIMA: It's my home. I want to live here my whole life and I want to live next door to my parents when I'm a grown up.

WHY INSIDE OUT: It sounds fun and I love art.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: Entire life. Born here.

Amikay Lefthand

Sara ShieldsWHY I HEART YAKIMA: I'm from Wapato, born & raised. I was born in a Yakima hospital. Like agriculture here, I have deep roots to the valley. I've moved away but keep coming back. My favorite part of the area is the diversity. The diversity and pride that each group represents is visible on every person and I love being able to talk to people about that. I am enrolled Yakama. There is diversity in the landscape of the Yakima valley and Yakama reservation. Where ever you look, the people or the land, the diversity is beautiful and makes Yakima so special.

WHY INSIDE OUT: As a proud Native American, minority of the minorities, I want to be heard. I want to be seen. We are still here. And central Washington deserves to be fully represented by people the love and embrace the uniqueness of Yakima.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 36 years

Skylee MooreWHY I HEART YAKIMA: My dad moved here before I was born, so I didn't really have a choice. But I love Yakima and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

WHY INSIDE OUT: I love supporting the community.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 16 years

Mary MilamWHY I HEART YAKIMA: The open spaces all around us, blue skies, shadows on the hills, and easy living.

WHY INSIDE OUT: To support arts and support Yakima's image. I believe Yakima can be an inclusive, open, and compassionate community.

LIVED IN YAKIMA: 26 years

Vienne Alrashedy

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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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