In September, the final month of4Culture and King County Parks’ 2010 Trails Project, artists Susan Robb, Paul Rucker and Stokley Towles will be engaging in their final commission activities on and about the Regional Trail System.  Informal in nature, these activities are designed for trail-goers to come upon.  You are invited to join the artists – on the trails and online – and to draw some inspiration to create your own, out in “your big backyard.”

Per Susan Robb:

” My! You smell divine. What’s the scent you’re wearing?”
” Why thank you. It’s called Soos Creek”

I wanted to use smell to capture my experiences with the Regional Trails so  over the past six months I have been collecting materials (from plants and berries to horse manure and cocoa pods) found at various Regional Trails (or directly nearby) and distilling essential oils from them. I then mixed these oils into trail-specific fragrances. The process was alchemical and magical (similar to the trails themselves) – one whiff of pine scent can transport me back to the Preston Snoqualmie trail where I gather the needles.

Join me on the Burke Gilman trail on Friday October 1 at noon to get spritzed and cloak yourself in the scent of the trails. 


Per Paul Rucker:

After walking along a Regional Trail, I will present an hour-long musical suite inspired by the journey to lunchtime trail-goers.  I look forward to engaging with folks who happen upon me on Tuesday, September 21, noon time.  An interactive component will be featured.


Per Stokley Towles:

On September 27, Susan and I will be out on the Regional Trails.  I will interview people to ask them about their experience on the trails, and am especially curious to see how their relationship to that space has changed with the changing weather.

For more information on the Trails Project, please visit www.trailsproject.com.

 

THIS POST WAS UPDATED ON 9/29: Susan had to reschedule her Burke Gilman spritzing event – the new date is this Friday, Oct 1!

 

Images:

Burke Gilman Trail by Stokley Towles

 

Paul Rucker and cello at “Water Pieces”, a concert at Rattlesnake Lake, the southernmost point of Snoqualmie Valley Trail by Heather Dwyer.

Susan and Stokley’s feet at the first rest stop on the Long Walk from Seattle to Snoqualmie Falls by Stokley Towles.