Work Begins at Sumner's Gathering Place

On the outskirts of Sumner's , a group of cohorts and community volunteers gathered at yesterday to begin work on a revitilization of a downtown alleyway. Donated wood, strips of metal, and empty canvasses beg for artistic creation.

Katya Matanovic welcomed people to the stage/mural-creation area. "We've laid out the rhubarb image on the canvas so that people can add painted dots. We've designed it so that everyone from the community, regardless of ability level, can be involved, and the final project is cohesive."

Matanovic is the managing director of the Pomegranate Center, which was granted funds through Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to enliven a community space in Sumner. It's Green Mountain's, and Tully's, way of saying thank you to the city for being a great place to locate.

"Green Mountain is a really great company to work for," say Elizabeth Pew from their Human Resources department, over an emerging rhubarb leaf image. "They encourage really holistic thinking, give us incentives to volunteer in the community, and prioritize buying from local businesses rather than bigger ones."

Green Mountain also donated coffee, both fresh brewed and roasted beans, to the volunteers who drifted in all day. "This particular coffee is even inspired by the project," Pew adds. "We call it Community Spaces Blend."

Community members are invited to stop by anytime this weekend and can help with a wide array of tasks: from building swivel benches to sanding entryway sculptures, to working on the beautiful mural. On Monday the volunteer work also continues: all pieces will be assembled in their final location, the alleyway next to Berryland Cafe.

"We're camping out right here in Heritage Park tonight," says Matanovic while gesturing towards the lawn. "And we'll be ready for the public tomorrow morning at 8 a.m."