A one-of-a-kind work of art now has a permanent home at Lexington Elementary—and the community is invited to help celebrate it. Kelso School District will host a dedication ceremony Thursday, September 24, from 4:30–5:00 p.m. at Lexington Elementary for the school’s new glass art installation, created by Silverdale, Washington, artist Lisa Stirrett through the Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program (AIPP).

The centerpiece of the installation is three striking glass salmon inspired by Lexington Elementary, the Kelso community, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The salmon represent perseverance, resilience, and the enduring connection to home.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the artwork is one that belongs entirely to Lexington’s students: their handprints are incorporated into the piece. Approximately 100 handprints are embossed into the back of one salmon, with many more handprints integrated throughout the installation—creating a permanent snapshot of the children who were part of Lexington at this moment in the school’s history.

“This artwork has quickly become a special part of Lexington, and we’re excited to open our doors and share it with the larger community,” said Lexington Principal Tim Yore. “It tells a story about who we are, where we live, and the students at the heart of our school. We hope people will come see it, discover all the incredible details, and celebrate with us.”

Made from hundreds of individually crafted pieces of glass, each of the three salmon weighs approximately 150 pounds. A specialized five-person crew installed the artwork this summer in Lexington’s main commons near the school entrance.

The September 24 dedication will include a welcome, an overview of the Art in Public Places program, remarks from the artist and from students, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Lexington received the artwork through ArtsWA’s Art in Public Places program, which reserves one-half of one percent of state construction costs for public art in newly constructed public buildings. Local representatives worked with ArtsWA through the artist selection and design process to create a piece reflecting Lexington’s identity and values.

Since 1974, ArtsWA’s State Art Collection has grown to more than 5,000 works displayed in schools and public buildings across Washington, with a distinctive commitment to bringing original artwork into K–12 schools.

The dedication is open to students, families, staff, and community members.

WHAT: Art in Public Places Dedication Ceremony
WHEN: Thursday, September 24, 4:30–5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lexington Elementary

About Kelso School District

Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with BLM Volunteer Events in the Pacific Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. – National Public Lands Day is back on September 26! Join the Bureau of Land Management to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday and participate in the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. It’s the perfect excuse to get out, give back, and make a real difference.

“We are hosting incredible events across Oregon and Washington,” said Morgan Rubanow, outreach specialist for BLM Oregon/Washington. "Whether you are a seasoned hiker, a history enthusiast, or looking for a fun day out with the family, there is truly something for everyone.”

From beach cleanups to historic preservation, every volunteer's effort directly impacts the health and accessibility of our shared public lands. Volunteers may receive fee-free entrance coupons or volunteer t-shirts while supplies last.

Burns District

• Riddle Brothers Ranch Restoration in Hines
  7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29
  Structure preservation and staining
• Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway Kiosk Installation
  8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Help install new informational kiosks

Coos Bay District

• Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area Interpretive Event
  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Educational stations on natural resources

Lakeview District

• Warner Wetlands Accessibility Improvements in Plush
  8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Hart Bar Interpretive Site improvements

Medford District

• Buck Rock Historic Road System Workday at Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
  8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Road system sign and map installation

Northwest Oregon District

• Molalla River Cleanup in Mollala
  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19
  Trash removal, trail maintenance, and recreation site rehabilitation
• Disciples of Dirt Trail Maintenance at Carpenter Bypass
  9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19
  Mountain biking trail maintenance
• Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Newport
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Beach clean-up, invasive plant removal, garden maintenance, and fee-free festivities

Prineville District

• Reynolds Pond Restoration Project
  10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25
  Site cleanup and workday
• Hampton Butte Rockhound Site Cleanup
  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Cleanup workday to fill in holes from rock collectors

Roseburg District

• Swiftwater Trailhead Clean Up at Idleyld Park
  8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19
  Trailhead and day use area restoration and maintenance

Spokane District

• Fishtrap Loop in Sprague, Wash.
  8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26
  Annual trail maintenance work party
• Fishtrap Watermelon Hill in Fishtrap, Wash.
  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7
  Shrub planting and fence repair

Vale District

• Oasis Spruce Up Day in Huntington
  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday, Sept. 25
  Trash cleanup, invasive weed removal, and general site maintenance

For more information about specific events, please see the National Environmental Education Foundation webpage or the BLM Volunteer Opportunity webpage.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.