The northwest corner of 10th Avenue North and Pine Street will be much livelier this summer with the installation of a second Make Music With Me piano.
After the approval of town council at the April 14 meeting, the Creston Rotary Club is in the process of turning an anonymously donated piano into a work of art, with the help of artist Brandy Hunt. From the Creston Valley Blossom Festival through the summer months both pianos will be available for anyone to play when they feel inspired.
“We are inviting members of the public to paint designated portions of the piano in return for a $10 or $20 donation,” said Rotary committee chair Marilin Grahn. “The funds will be used to purchase paint supplies for the decoration of the piano.”
The installation of a colourful Make Music With Me piano in the Canyon Street Walkthrough last year was such a success, Grahn said, that the Rotary club was happy to carry on with the project when the offer of another donated piano was received.
“In fact, we would be grateful to have another piano donated — we already have third location in mind!” she said.
Hunt said she is thrilled to contribute her artistic talents to design the piano’s decor with a music and valley life theme, and will supervise the public painting sessions. The finished piano will be placed across the street from her business, Creative Fix, and when the Pine Street realignment project is complete, the neighborhood will change significantly.
“We will be getting more traffic driving by, I think, so this location is ideal,” Hunt said.
The piano will be mounted on a platform to be placed on town property on the corner. It, as well as the original piano, will be protected by a new commercially made shelter with clear sides and a roof to keep the rain off. The shelters are being purchased through the generosity of private donors.
Gillian Kemle, also a member of the Creston Rotary Club, said that donors who want to paint sections of the piano can select their area of choice at the chamber of commerce, then attend one of two painting sessions — 6-9 p.m. April 28 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 1 — where Hunt will provide the appropriate colour and brushes.
“Any sections of the piano not already spoken for will be available to paint for people who just show up at one of the sessions,” Kemle said.
“On behalf of the Creston Rotary Club we would like to thank the public for their enthusiastic support of the Make Music With Me project. Special thanks to Creston town council and staff for their continuing support, too.”