Tree stumps become stocking stuffers
December 23, 2010
By Caleb Heeringa
New: Dec. 23, 10:47 a.m.
If you took the yarn that went into the knit tree art in front of Eastlake High School and stretched it from end to end, you’d be on Snoqualmie Pass.
Approximately 38.6 miles of yarn went into the winter-themed tree sock project, which was spearheaded and funded almost entirely by local residents Beth Newfield and Suzanne Tidwell.
The stumps are covered in colorful yarn that the artists hope to change with the seasons. Contributed
The pair spent approximately $1,500 on synthetic yarn and the rental of lift equipment to install the socks. They anticipate the total cost to approach $2,000 after they rent the equipment again to take the socks down in March.
Much of the yarn for the project was recycled – Newfield and Tidwell purchased numerous used afghans from Value Village and unraveled them.
Installation of the socks took around 15 hours over two days and included 11 volunteers.
The tree stumps are there because about a year ago, city workers realized the trees were dying and could be a safety hazard if they fell. The workers lopped off branches and the tops, leaving about a half-dozen stumps that stand roughly 20 feet tall.
The city had considered having them carved into public art, but then found they would need to be dug up and mounted or they would rot. The City Council balked at the price tag and was poised to have them cut down, until Newfield and Tidwell approached the council about installing giant socks at their own expense.
Tidwell and Newfield are hoping to secure grant funding through Seattle-based arts non-profit 4Culture for socks that represent each season of the year. Anyone interested in donating to the cause can contact Tidwell by email at suzy@tetattack.com.
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12 Responses to “Tree stumps become stocking stuffers”
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This is one of the biggest wastes of money ever spent. Coming back to my hometown from college felt like walking into a bad Dr. Seuss movie adaptation funded by the Girl Scouts. This kind of decoration should be the go-to definition of “Kitsch”. The city should finish the job and rip out the stumps.
In times of recession and dire news everywhere, it seems important that folks keep alive their creativity and resourcefulness (recycled yarn? tons of knitting? a dash of whimsy on the highway? donated project to the community? what’s not to like here?).
Whether the socks are seasonalky supported by a grant or not, even this one-time session just shows the Sammamish community what can be done by real people in the community. If you don’t like this art, why not create some beauty/paint some parks/donate your time to clean up green spaces? I am sure the beleagured municipalities would welcome the volunteers and the interest in public spaces. Look forward to seeing what’s next!
I think these are whimsical and wonderful! Christo and Jeanne- Claude wrapped the Pont Neuf, so what is a few tree stumps! Plus Sammamish is a cozy town and devoid of anything artistic. Thank you ladies for bringing Art to Sammamish and something to smile about where there is just a plain old Starbuck’s!
I think the socks on the trees are wonderful. They show community spirit and art displayed in a different form. It is a great teaching point for our children to talk to them about creativity and effort. I love these and can’t wait to see them decorated with real snow!
This is a fabulous spirit of community and creativity! Well done! More people should consider how to come together to bring whimsy to their hometowns… we have enough negativity in the world right now – YAY for fun! Thank you for all of your hard work!
What a fabulous way to spread cheer and creativity in the community! Thank you, Beth & Suzanne for sharing your artistic talent!
Charming, beautiful and cozy. Much better than 20 feet stumps.
$1,500 Dollars spent on these socks. I see more and more people on the highway begging for money. People are out of jobs and they are starving. And yet the people of this city supports $1,500 dollars spent on socks for a couple of trees. You don’t think it could’ve gone to some homeless shelters? Instead of warming up those trees maybe the money could’ve gone to warming up some kids. The vanity of this city makes me sick. Enjoy you’re “art”.
Every time I drive by the Sock Trees, I smile. What a fantastic art installation in Sammamish. Thank you to both the artists and the City of Sammamish for bringing us this holiday joy!
UGLY
Enjoy our “art”? Don’t I think it could have gone to “homeless shelters”??
Honey — this is our gift to the community. It doesn’t always have to be in
the form of “money” all the time. What do you want? These people gave
of themselves and their time to brighten everyone’s life who sees these
trees and put a smile on people’s lives it did — and it no doubt made
them feel better and brightened up their day.
So – go crawl back in your hole where you belong.
I have truly enjoyed these trees and their unique artistic color they added to the environment in Sammamish. I miss these trees greatly, and wish they were still there.