It’s Procession Season – The Making Of The Procession Of The Species

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olympia procession and arts walkBy: Amy Rowley

Walk into the Procession of the Species Community Art Studio and you are greeted by creative relics – a large blue wave with a ram’s head, glittering peacock feathers, a bright octopus and a rhinoceros head with a pointed horn.  Large tables are waiting to be used.  Art supplies abound.  Just add your inspiration and creativity.

In its 18th year, Procession of the Species is a monumental, iconic parade celebrating the natural world.  Approximately 3,000 people walk, dance, and move in the pageant with over 30,000 spectators cheering on the sidewalk.

Preparing for Procession

While the viewer sees the Procession as seamless, organizing it is a mammoth task involving about 65 volunteers working tirelessly for five months.  An additional 4-5 volunteers work year-round on a multitude of tasks including planning fundraisers, handling the non-profit’s administrative tasks, sourcing the best deal on supplies, and managing the studio.

Founder, Eli Sterling, describes the Procession as “planning a wedding for 300 guests.  You want it to be special, expressing the intent of the marriage.  You want all the details ‘just right’.  You think about it for months.  Now, envision the same wedding but instead it’s a wedding party of 3,000 people that are tasked with doing all the work to ‘make’ the event and a guest list of over 30,000 that you have to convince to come.”

Beginning the first Monday in January, a core group of volunteers ready the Community Art Studio.  Tarping floors, filling staple guns, collecting supplies, sharpening tools – it’s a steady pace.  This year, the group has the added benefit of being in the same studio space as last year.  Previously, they also had to first locate vacant warehouse space.

Creating in the Studio

To build a sculpture, the artist must first observe.  Professional photos line the walls depicting animals in their natural surroundings.  Take a moose, for example.  Where are the ears on a moose – in front or behind the antlers?  Each artist looks at these intricate details while building their creature.  And, Sterling believes that the outcome is not just a beautiful specimen of an animal, but an appreciation for it such that you will then continuously notice it and want its environment to remain viable.

olympia procession and arts walkThe studio is open 7 days a week for 7 weeks.  Anyone is welcome into the studio to  design a piece for the Procession, whether it’s a simple mask and wings or an elaborate, spectacular large float.  “The studio creates the hub and activity.  It’s the conversation of anticipation that the Procession is coming,” states Sterling.  Others use their home work spaces.  Regardless, the intent is to create “a personal expression reflecting your connection with the natural world during the previous year,” explains Sterling.

“People who come into the studio have the added benefit of seeing all these other people creating.  It feeds inspiration and creates a kinship within the community.  The physical studio plays a great role in enriching the pre-Procession spirit,” says volunteer Nichole Rose who enjoys overhearing participants ask each other questions about their inspiration and creations.

Some people choose to leave sculptures behind to be reused, embellished or incorporated into a new piece.  The majority of materials are donated from the community and recycled into art pieces.  (A wish list of supplies can be found here.)

olympia procession and arts walkOutcomes of Procession

Ultimately, the goal of the Procession is to raise awareness.  “People are far more likely to protect that which they create than that which they consume.  The Procession generates a creative relationship with people to nature,” states Sterling.

Sterling wants to foster the moment when a Procession spectator exclaims, “wow, this is a cool place to live.”  Sterling states that when people identify with their home space then they will translate into action to protect it.  “I want people to celebrate and be joyous.  The Procession is a huge environmental statement.  No, it does not plant trees.  But, it does reshape our behavior,” says Sterling.

Sterling sums up the experience.  “When someone says ‘I was in the Procession.’ They are really saying, ‘I was part of what it means to live in Olympia.’”

 

Procession of the Species

Saturday, April 28th at 4:30 pm

 

Community Art Studio

311 1/2 Capitol Way North (entrance in the alley, behind the Royal Lounge)

Olympia, WA 98501

Special thanks to Laura Killian for the use of her photos.

olympia procession and arts walkOpen Hours Daily Until Procession:

Weekdays 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Weekends 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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