Convergence of art and government in new Camano building – goskagit.com

A new jewel was recently installed in the nearly completed Island County Administration Building on Camano Island.

Camano Island artist Jack Archibald helped place his 5-by-22-foot stained glass art panel Convergence on the north side of the new building at 121 N. East Camano Drive.

The colorful stained glassed art uses convergent lines and circles, which complements the buildings modern design inside and out: vertical red cedar plank siding outside and exposed wood beams inside. Outside, the glass changes mood as the sunlight shifts above. Inside, colors pop when the sun shines through.

I like the building; its sort of modern the glass is modern I like that convergence, Archibald said.

In the planning stages, Archibald had known there was no budget for a glass mural in the public buildings budget, so he proposed to build it for free. Artist Trust awarded him with a $1,500 Gap Grant, which covered most of the materials, so Archibalds donation was his many hours of labor.

Archibald and SHKS Architects worked to incorporate his design into the plans. The architects designed the window space to make installation easy. Archibald waited until the space was built then he measured it onsite and built the glass precisely. Then Archibald and Larry Bach fitted the large horizontal stained glass panel into the building.

Two old geezers up on the high lift its kind of fun, Archibald said.

He said his goal wastoadd art to a public space to inspire a vision of possibilities in ourselves and our children.

I think the entire county will be thrilled with it and grateful for Jacks contribution, said Island County Facilities Director Larry Van Horn. It looks stunning from both the inside and the outside, we couldnt be happier.

The art installation comes as construction is wrapping up on the $5.6 million project. Plus, the project is on time and on budget, Van Horn said. Phase 1 started last fall and is nearing completion a couple weeks early after COVID-19 measures initially set it back. Furniture will be installed the week of Oct. 12. Moving day has been scheduled for Oct. 23. Offices will move in over the weekend, so there's no interruption in county services.

There are hundreds of details to be finished between now and the 23rd of October, but were pretty firm that well be ready, Van Horn said.

In Phase 2, the crew will demolish the old annex building and build a secure sheriff parking area. The target date is Nov. 19 for the Sheriff's Office to move into its new building. Then all the departments will move into the same modern, artistic building.

Larry Bach helped install Jack Archibald's stained glass mural Wednesday in the Island County Administrative Building, Camano Island.

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Convergence of art and government in new Camano building - goskagit.com