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.
![Mary Patterson](https://iheartyakima.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mary-Patterson-420x620.jpg)
WHY INSIDE OUT: I want to spread the news of our town and what people of different nationalities can do together and learn from each other. Sometimes you have to go within to really see who is there. The outside does not always tell the whole story.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 24 Years
![Missa Uhlman](https://iheartyakima.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Missa-Uhlman-420x620.jpg)
WHY INSIDE OUT: Although I am new to Yakima, this is my husband's hometown. He has a deep history here and now we are making a history here as a couple and a family. We love this town and we want to see it grow and thrive. I think things like Inside Out showcase the best parts of a place like Yakima and help to inspire people to love and invest in their communities. Yakima is an awesome place to live and I want to be part of things like this that help Yakima keep evolving and improving. We have a gem here and I want people to know that!
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 10 months
![Stephanie Carlson](https://iheartyakima.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Stephanie-Carlson-420x620.jpg)
WHY INSIDE OUT: Yakima is a hidden city. From the outside we don't look like much, but once you get to the nucleus you see how wonderful it really is. I want to represent a family that moved from the metropolitan area, intentionally to Yakima, and has fallen in love with the city.
LIVED IN YAKIMA: 2 years
![Jamaica Zoglman](https://iheartyakima.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Jamaica-Zoglman-420x620.jpg)
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
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
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