Artists light up Mukilteo

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, August 9, 2006

MUKILTEO – There isn’t just one lighthouse in Mukilteo. This summer, there are 16 of them.

They’ve sprouted up all over town. There are several along Mukilteo Speedway. Four are in Old Town, with two more at the Future of Flight Museum and one in front of the library.

Each is a one-of-a-kind piece of art, its colors bright in the summer sun.

One has a deep-sea diver’s helmet at its top. Another has an electric plug.

They’ve been germinating for more than a year, the seeds sown by Mukilteo residents Ann and John Collier.

Fifteen lighthouses, 6 feet tall and made of synthetic material, were built and decorated to draw attention to the 100th birthday of the great granddaddy of Mukilteo’s lighthouses – the one on the waterfront.

The smaller lighthouses will remain in place through September. Afterward, they’ll be turned over to 15 of the sponsors who helped raise more than $30,000 for their creation.

Last summer the Colliers saw large salmon installed around Gig Harbor as a promotion. With the Mukilteo lighthouse centennial coming up, the couple saw visions of lighthouses dancing in their heads.

They spoke to businesspeople last August. A group came up with concepts for several themes and advertised for local artists to use the lighthouses as their canvas.

The group rounded up donations. HMC Industries of Lynnwood was paid to make the lighthouses.

The 15 artists, most of whom are from Mukilteo and Edmonds, were paid $300 apiece to decorate each.

“For most artists it was an act of love to do it for that,” said Elizabeth Erickson, broker for Gallery Homes Real Estate and one of the organizers and contributors.

Flyers were printed with photos and descriptions of the lighthouses, and a map shows their locations. The lighthouses were installed in June, many of them in front of businesses that helped pay for them.

“We have been getting a lot of people stopping,” said Rose Saffioti, co-owner of the Amici Bistro at 8004 Mukilteo Speedway and one of the sponsors. The lighthouse there is called “Fishie, Fishie,” with sea life painted in blues and greens by Freeda Lapos Babson.

A group of teenagers did a scavenger hunt in which they had to find the lighthouses without a map, Saffioti said.

“Music of the Sea” by Edmonds artist Yenny Broadie sits near the outdoor dining area in front of the Tin Fish restaurant in Old Town.

“It’s been really well received,” Tin Fish owner Steve Vincent said.

Greg and Gloria Moore of Everett said they’re making the rounds to see each of the lighthouses.

“We stumbled across some, and that spurred the interest to go look at some more,” Greg Moore said.

Maps to the lighthouses are available at many Mukilteo businesses.

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.

For photos and information on each of the model lighthouses, go to www.mukilteolighthouses.com.

Happy birthday!

Mukilteos 100 Years of Light Celebration, which marks the centennial of the Mukilteo Lighthouse, is planned for Friday and Saturday.

Lighthouse tours, live music, readings for children and snacks are planned for 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Private tours for family members of former lighthouse keepers are planned for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Cub Scout Pack 17 will raise the flag at noon, followed by remarks by Mayor Joe Marine and Mukilteo Historical Society officials. Childrens activities, live music and tours are planned for the rest of the afternoon. Birthday cake and ice cream will be served between 3 and 4 p.m.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse is located at 604 Front St. For more information, call 425-513-9602.