Don’t Miss the 6th Annual Sunnyland Stomp

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By Stacee Sledge

Sunnyland Stomp Community
Each year the community gathers to enjoy an afternoon of fun during the Sunnyland Stomp.

Spend just a little time in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood and it quickly becomes clear why it’s one of our community’s favorite spots.

Thirsty? Hit Kulshan Brewery or Wander Brewing for some of the areas best craft beers.

Hungry? HomeSkillet has that covered in its colorful, crazy, delicious (and diminutive) diner. There’s also Coconut Kenny’s, Avenue Bread, LaLa Eatery, Lee’s Drive In, the StrEAT Food trailer, and much more for munching.

Looking for bargains? Labels and Wee Ones Reruns have fantastic finds for you and your littles, with high-quality consignment clothing, accessories, toys and furniture.

Hardware Sales has anchored the neighborhood for more than 50 years, an independent family-owned hardware store whose success underscores the importance Sunnyland residents put on buying and supporting local businesses.

When Trader Joe’s moved into the Sunnyland Square shopping center in 2007, something shifted. People poured into the area and new businesses popped up alongside the national grocery chain.

One magnificent marker of this micro-community’s welcoming, vibrant vibe is its annual community arts event, the Sunnyland Summer Backyard Art Stomp.

Artwork is displayed in backyards across Sunnyland during the Sunnyland Stomp.
Interesting artwork is displayed in backyards across Sunnyland.

Alice Clark – longtime executive director at Pickford Film Center, until stepping down late last year, and now owner of Alice’s Pies – was inspired to start the Stomp several years ago.

Her mother had just returned from a trip to Sweden where she attended a backyard potluck that also included paintings hung from a tree and live music.

“I thought, that is a really good idea for a potluck,” Clark says. “I also started thinking about my own neighbors and how I didn’t really know them well enough to invite them to a potluck at my house.”

A light bulb went off and Clark began to envision a multi-yard potluck/art walk-type event in Sunnyland.

Clark and her husband distributed fliers across the neighborhood and Clark made a website. Sponsors came aboard to help make the first year a success.

Now in its sixth year, the 2014 Sunnyland Stomp takes place on Saturday, July 12th.

Anyone can attend the event, ambling from backyard gallery to backyard gallery.

Biking is a great way to experience the Sunnyland Stomp.
Biking is a great way to experience this annual event.

“People can expect 20 to 25 galleries to visit, which they can find out about on the map,” says Clark. “It’s a lot to take in in one afternoon, so they need to be strategic.”

Clark suggests if folks want to see more galleries, they should travel by bicycle.

“Driving is silly and walking will be a lot of miles,” she says. “Biking makes the most sense.”

Sunnyland resident and Western Washington University professor Lauren McClanahan sums up her love of the Stomp in one word: community.

“It’s the one event each year that encourages neighbors to interact with one another around the common denominator of art,” McClanahan says. “And I love that art is defined broadly to include not just the visual arts, but also the musical and culinary arts.”

“You’ll find all sorts of interesting things going on,” Clark says. “Food being made, art on display, music being played, performances.”

Visitors can certainly expect the unexpected at the Sunnyland Stomp.

“People are using their backyards, so whatever they can think up to do – the sky’s the limit,” says Clark.

Live music performances entertain the community during the Sunnyland Stomp.
Live music performances entertain the community during the Sunnland Stomp.

“You will run into people you know,” she continues, “and they will tell you where they’ve been and where you should go. You’ll be inspired!”

Clark thinks that part of the allure of the Stomp is its organic nature. She semi-organizes the event, but what really happens is different every year and completely in the hands of the residents who open up their backyards and create galleries to share with all comers.

“It brings people together in our neighborhood, so for us Sunnylanders it’s great in that way,” says Clark. “We’ve gotten to know each other.”

For those coming into the neighborhood, they appreciate that it’s also quintessentially Bellingham, she says. “It’s a little quirky, a lot DIY, and free.”

Every year, McClanahan is impressed anew by the myriad talents of her neighbors.

“And it makes my heart happy to celebrate those talents in such a dynamic, creative and interactive way,” she says.

McClanahan would love to see the Sunnyland Stomp grow beyond its geographic borders, into other neighborhoods.

“Bellingham is a city of neighborhoods, and each one is home to talented, resourceful, creative people,” she says. “Let’s celebrate that creativity as loudly and proudly as we can.”

Watch this video, created by Lauren McClanahan, to see highlights from the 2013 Sunnyland Stomp.

The Sunnyland Summer Backyard Art Stomp takes place on Saturday, July 12, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. For more information about this event, click here.

 

All photos provided by Lauren McClanahan

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