City and MIVAL light up Island Lanterns event

January 26, 2023 11:30 am
Residents are invited to participate in the city’s Island Lanterns event. Photo courtesy of the city of Mercer Island
Residents are invited to participate in the city’s Island Lanterns event. Photo courtesy of the city of Mercer Island

The city and the Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) are lighting up another Island Lanterns event over the next month.

Community members of all ages are invited to decorate or design paper lanterns that will be displayed as an illuminated installation at the Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery.

The event —- which is supported by ArtsWA and the National Endowment for the Arts —- will kick off with free lanterns available for pick-up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St. Residents can create their lanterns at home, or use a variety of art supplies available at the community center that day. Participants can collect free lantern supplies through Feb. 11 at the community center during the regular business hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Monday-Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

People can drop off their completed lanterns at the community center during regular business hours and city staffers will collect the items through Feb. 24. Community installation day will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the outdoor sculpture gallery, which is located on Sunset Highway in between 77th and 80th avenues southeast.

For more information, visit https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/island-lanterns