Each spring local artists in the city of Yachats volunteer to design and paint banners to be hung on the city street lamp poles during the summer months along HWY 101 in Yachats, OR.
This year’s 34 canvas banners are approximately 18″ x 48” with a rounded end. The artist’s designs are applied using acrylic paints. The 2023 theme is “Always a Long Story in Yachats.” A theme is given to inspire but is not required. Banners are hung on the lamposts viewable on Hwy 101 in downtown Yachats between July and October. An auction is scheduled for the month of October.
Debbie Aken
Rockfish
"While considering this year’s theme, “Always A Long Story in Yachats,” a long story translated into a long way, which led to a long way down. I began to research what might be found on the ocean floor off the Central Oregon Coast, which is a long way down! This research led me to Oceana's Expedition in 2013 as they launched an ROV in areas along the coast of Oregon. The images are incredible, and the information is extraordinary. This Oceana video can be found on “Your Sanctuary TV.” The combination of orange Rockfish among the greens and purples of the sponges and ocean floor was my inspiration. "
"While considering this year’s theme, “Always A Long Story in Yachats,” a long story translated into a long way, which led to a long way down. I began to research what might be found on the ocean floor off the Central Oregon Coast, which is a long way down! This research led me to Oceana's Expedition in 2013 as they launched an ROV in areas along the coast of Oregon. The images are incredible, and the information is extraordinary. This Oceana video can be found on “Your Sanctuary TV.” The combination of orange Rockfish among the greens and purples of the sponges and ocean floor was my inspiration. "
Ruth Bass
Van Beere
Bigfoot
Yachats and Sasquatch. Two words that go together well and I’m sure share a rich history. Oregon has had more than its fair share of sightings. it only makes sense that there could be a connection to intelligent life forms from another planet. But. we leave that to the interpretation of the individual viewer of the banner."
Yachats and Sasquatch. Two words that go together well and I’m sure share a rich history. Oregon has had more than its fair share of sightings. it only makes sense that there could be a connection to intelligent life forms from another planet. But. we leave that to the interpretation of the individual viewer of the banner."
Nancy Bolton-Rawles
Betty
"A dear friend to many of us here in Yachats recently experienced a great loss. For her, camping is healing, so she purchased “Betty” – an adorable little trailer. During another conversation I was having with 3 other gals they spoke very fondly about their travels in their vans or trailers. The conversations inspired me to paint about camping and the joy and comfort nature and friendship provides. The bird, an angel in disguise, stays with travelers to keep them safe. I dedicate this banner to Lassie and Fritz ... and to Bob in memory.”
"A dear friend to many of us here in Yachats recently experienced a great loss. For her, camping is healing, so she purchased “Betty” – an adorable little trailer. During another conversation I was having with 3 other gals they spoke very fondly about their travels in their vans or trailers. The conversations inspired me to paint about camping and the joy and comfort nature and friendship provides. The bird, an angel in disguise, stays with travelers to keep them safe. I dedicate this banner to Lassie and Fritz ... and to Bob in memory.”
Morgen Brodie
Halqaik Meets the Sea
Indigenous people lived where Halqaik meets the sea for at least 6,000 years before James Cook renamed it Cape Perpetua in 1778.
These are scenes from sunrise to moonrise: Halqaik from my pillow, the sea from my walks.
Indigenous people lived where Halqaik meets the sea for at least 6,000 years before James Cook renamed it Cape Perpetua in 1778.
These are scenes from sunrise to moonrise: Halqaik from my pillow, the sea from my walks.
Catherine Carey
"Music & Birds are so much of the soul of Yachats’ culture and ecosystem.
This banner is honoring two very important and innovative organizations in our community, in addition to the music we hear so often on the street, at local galleries, pubs, and restaurants!
Honoring SWIFTY and View the Future: SWIFT (Swallows in Flight to Yachats) has done a tremendous job to expand accommodations for migrating birds, including tree swallows, violet-green swallows, chickadees and purple martins to the Yachats area.
View the Future is in the process of identifying bird species that nest in and frequent Yachats’ Ridge.
I am not a painter, by any means, and I cannot do justice to these beautiful creatures. However, I have fully enjoyed contributing to the Yachats’ Banner Project for the past three years! "
This banner is honoring two very important and innovative organizations in our community, in addition to the music we hear so often on the street, at local galleries, pubs, and restaurants!
Honoring SWIFTY and View the Future: SWIFT (Swallows in Flight to Yachats) has done a tremendous job to expand accommodations for migrating birds, including tree swallows, violet-green swallows, chickadees and purple martins to the Yachats area.
View the Future is in the process of identifying bird species that nest in and frequent Yachats’ Ridge.
I am not a painter, by any means, and I cannot do justice to these beautiful creatures. However, I have fully enjoyed contributing to the Yachats’ Banner Project for the past three years! "
Carol Cassidy
The Midshipman Fish
"If you are lucky, you might come across a Midshipman fish in the tidal rocks around Yachats. You will notice hundreds of tiny dots called photophores that light up along its whole body in patterns reminiscent of a Midshipman’s uniform. This amazing animal lives deep in the ocean until it is time to mate. It then makes its way to shallow waters near rocky shores. There, the males make a humming sound so loud that some have confused it for a portable generator. The attracted female lays her eggs in the nesting site, and then the male fertilizes them. Afterward, he tends the eggs until they hatch. If the tide is very low and the fish is above the waterline, the Midshipman’s skin can absorb oxygen to help him stay alive until the tides return and submerges him under water."
"If you are lucky, you might come across a Midshipman fish in the tidal rocks around Yachats. You will notice hundreds of tiny dots called photophores that light up along its whole body in patterns reminiscent of a Midshipman’s uniform. This amazing animal lives deep in the ocean until it is time to mate. It then makes its way to shallow waters near rocky shores. There, the males make a humming sound so loud that some have confused it for a portable generator. The attracted female lays her eggs in the nesting site, and then the male fertilizes them. Afterward, he tends the eggs until they hatch. If the tide is very low and the fish is above the waterline, the Midshipman’s skin can absorb oxygen to help him stay alive until the tides return and submerges him under water."
Joyce Centofanti
Jac Christnot
"Waníyetu Iyáwapi" (Winter Count)
by jac Christnot
The longest stories I know are our traditional Lakȟóta waníyetu iyáwapi or winter counts.
Every winter elders in a thiyóšpaye (extended family) would gather and discuss events throughout the year. They would consult with the winter count keeper to select the most important incident. Then the keeper would draw an image on the winter count hide (typically bison or deer) to represent that event. For instance, the images for most winter counts in 1877/1878 depicted the assassination of Tȟašúŋke Witkó (Crazy Horse) in September 1877. Winter counts were kept for generations with successive keepers and chronicled hundreds of years. The longest modern-era count known to western-culture historians is more than 175 years.
Here Uŋčí Makȟá (Grandmother Earth) has recorded the Yachats banner project themes. It starts with the first year, Home of the World’s Largest Ocean (2017), and moves out in a spiral: Within the Elements, Where Edges Meet, Patterns, What’s Inside Gets Out, Trails to Yachats, and she’s beginning to paint this year’s theme, Always a Long Story.
Uŋčí Makȟá’s representative color is green, but I dressed her in red to call back Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, the victims of a current epidemic of predatory violence in the United States and Canada. Red is the only color spirits can see, so wearing it invites them to be among us and have their voices heard through family and community, as I’m speaking about them now.
I'm Oglála and Sičháŋǧu Lakȟóta, Nations whose ancestral lands include South and North Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana — landlocked. I’ve lived in Yachats, on stolen Älsé land, for 13 years and use my artwork to blend my Great Plains cultural mythology with my current home by the sea.
The longest stories I know are our traditional Lakȟóta waníyetu iyáwapi or winter counts.
Every winter elders in a thiyóšpaye (extended family) would gather and discuss events throughout the year. They would consult with the winter count keeper to select the most important incident. Then the keeper would draw an image on the winter count hide (typically bison or deer) to represent that event. For instance, the images for most winter counts in 1877/1878 depicted the assassination of Tȟašúŋke Witkó (Crazy Horse) in September 1877. Winter counts were kept for generations with successive keepers and chronicled hundreds of years. The longest modern-era count known to western-culture historians is more than 175 years.
Here Uŋčí Makȟá (Grandmother Earth) has recorded the Yachats banner project themes. It starts with the first year, Home of the World’s Largest Ocean (2017), and moves out in a spiral: Within the Elements, Where Edges Meet, Patterns, What’s Inside Gets Out, Trails to Yachats, and she’s beginning to paint this year’s theme, Always a Long Story.
Uŋčí Makȟá’s representative color is green, but I dressed her in red to call back Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, the victims of a current epidemic of predatory violence in the United States and Canada. Red is the only color spirits can see, so wearing it invites them to be among us and have their voices heard through family and community, as I’m speaking about them now.
I'm Oglála and Sičháŋǧu Lakȟóta, Nations whose ancestral lands include South and North Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana — landlocked. I’ve lived in Yachats, on stolen Älsé land, for 13 years and use my artwork to blend my Great Plains cultural mythology with my current home by the sea.
Lucinda Cross
"One of my earliest memories after moving to Yachats is walking down the steps at River Beach into a scene of divine inspiration that let me know I was home.
I've tired to capture the feeling that many of us have shared with our loved ones."
I've tired to capture the feeling that many of us have shared with our loved ones."
Joan Davies
Maureen Dawson
Spring in Yachats, “the long story “
An explosion of vibrant color from the Rhododendron blooms paired with surrounding lush greens inspired this banner. Each flower intricate by design, colored by perfection, wrapped by a tapestry of green hues. A gift for our soul as we are captured by “its” gaze. Our murmuring gratitude harmonizing with the Pacific Tree Frog’s unique song while he rests in Nature’s beauty. For in this one moment all is right in this world.
An explosion of vibrant color from the Rhododendron blooms paired with surrounding lush greens inspired this banner. Each flower intricate by design, colored by perfection, wrapped by a tapestry of green hues. A gift for our soul as we are captured by “its” gaze. Our murmuring gratitude harmonizing with the Pacific Tree Frog’s unique song while he rests in Nature’s beauty. For in this one moment all is right in this world.
Loren Dickinson
"The Eagle has had a presence in the Yachats Valley since the beginning of the forests and the river – and that is a long, long story."
Michael Guerriero
Diver
"Another dive in."
"Another dive in."
Lee Haynes
Michele Hogan
"The kite flyer could be my granddaughter. Or her mother, my daughter.
Then again it could have been me as a youngster.
Or my over 100-year-old Mother in her youth.
We all loved timeless beach wanderings and kite flying.
Each of us practiced our barefoot standing and deliberate steps through grasping sand.
We held our kites like bird wings with arms stretched out hopeful that the next gust of wind would be the one to make it soar.
Then as if we had stopped trying the perfect aerodynamic air shift lifted the kite to a steady airstream.
We all unraveled the cord and steered our kites through each generation. It is a long-winded story of remembering the inhibited joy of flying kites so freely along the Oregon Coast."
Then again it could have been me as a youngster.
Or my over 100-year-old Mother in her youth.
We all loved timeless beach wanderings and kite flying.
Each of us practiced our barefoot standing and deliberate steps through grasping sand.
We held our kites like bird wings with arms stretched out hopeful that the next gust of wind would be the one to make it soar.
Then as if we had stopped trying the perfect aerodynamic air shift lifted the kite to a steady airstream.
We all unraveled the cord and steered our kites through each generation. It is a long-winded story of remembering the inhibited joy of flying kites so freely along the Oregon Coast."
Courtney Jensen
“Happy Fish”~ inspired by the abundance of fish making their home in the rivers, lakes and ocean of Oregon’s beautiful Central Coast. "
Jamie Kish
"Let love flow! Jellyfish are planktonic, meaning they cannot choose where they go, floating and moving around, totally at the mercy of the winds and currents. A few times a year, jellies will wash up in large numbers along our shores- species like big clear Moon Jellies, Pacific Sea Nettle (the species represented in the banner), and of course the bright blue Velella Velella Hydroids and their sails. I'm hoping that my banner will serve as a bold and joyful reminder that no matter where the winds of life may take you, no matter the chaotic currents you may catch-look for the love, it is all around. "
Beth Kattleman
Kathy McCulloch
"The magical Yachats River was the inspiration for my painting. I watch it daily as the colors and tides change. I included a couple of harbor seals peaking out of the river as they do. These are a couple of the many animals that feed from the river. Take a walk by and take in the living river."
Cindy Meiers
"Another year has passed and after the storms destroyed many banners last year the modifications that were made this year looks like they will stand up to the winds. There have been many happenings in the world from COVID, Ukraine and Russia, and the growing homeless to name a few. My banner is meant to bring some peace and love and reflect that we all must do our part however small or big to make our lives and the lives of others meaningful and safe. Truly, no deed is too small."
Amy Parker
My banner was a tough one this year. Looking at it you probably would not know the deep meaning.
I am experiencing a lot of change this year and it's been a process.The bright colors of the background represent a Rainbow.
You see I lost my Mama very suddenly 3 months ago. She was my best friend and I've been really in a dark spot with processing the grief and rainbows have always been my pick me up. Rainbows are often considers a sign from a loved one who has passed, they also represent New Beginnings, Hope and Transformation. Exactly where I am in my life right now.
I chose shore birds because my mom had a deep love for all shore birds. My mom has a wooden pelican on her deck that we found years ago and refinished last year. She loved watching the heron in the surf catching dinner. I also chose 2 of them to represent my two boys who are both moving out to find their own adventures but just 1 month apart. “Flying the Cooper.” I'm proud of them but it's a lot to take for this mama's heart.
The Blue Heron is Believed to bring messages of Self-determination and Self-reliance along with Symbolizing a spiritual Awakening, Renewal and Rebirth. I feel a lot of people are experiencing this right now. Im not sure if many know but a Pelican is symbolic of self-sacrifice, generosity and protection. It is believed by many cultures that the mother pelican will pierce its own belly to feed its young blood for nourishment if food is limited. They are also symbolic of the afterlife and are known to protect the souls of those who have passed. Pelicans are peaceful creatures and live in large communities like a large family who looks after one another. banner represents: The constant change that happens in our own lives, the loss, mourning, grief and healing I am currently experiencing. The hope of new beginnings and transformation for my boys and my family. Self-determination and self-reliance. We all need to be successful, happy and healthy. The self-sacrifice, generosity and protection only a mother provides.
I hope this banner brings you much visual enjoyment. I enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for letting me share my story.
You see I lost my Mama very suddenly 3 months ago. She was my best friend and I've been really in a dark spot with processing the grief and rainbows have always been my pick me up. Rainbows are often considers a sign from a loved one who has passed, they also represent New Beginnings, Hope and Transformation. Exactly where I am in my life right now.
I chose shore birds because my mom had a deep love for all shore birds. My mom has a wooden pelican on her deck that we found years ago and refinished last year. She loved watching the heron in the surf catching dinner. I also chose 2 of them to represent my two boys who are both moving out to find their own adventures but just 1 month apart. “Flying the Cooper.” I'm proud of them but it's a lot to take for this mama's heart.
The Blue Heron is Believed to bring messages of Self-determination and Self-reliance along with Symbolizing a spiritual Awakening, Renewal and Rebirth. I feel a lot of people are experiencing this right now. Im not sure if many know but a Pelican is symbolic of self-sacrifice, generosity and protection. It is believed by many cultures that the mother pelican will pierce its own belly to feed its young blood for nourishment if food is limited. They are also symbolic of the afterlife and are known to protect the souls of those who have passed. Pelicans are peaceful creatures and live in large communities like a large family who looks after one another. banner represents: The constant change that happens in our own lives, the loss, mourning, grief and healing I am currently experiencing. The hope of new beginnings and transformation for my boys and my family. Self-determination and self-reliance. We all need to be successful, happy and healthy. The self-sacrifice, generosity and protection only a mother provides.
I hope this banner brings you much visual enjoyment. I enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for letting me share my story.
Bruce Rawles
"In keeping with the theme “Always A Long Story In Yachats” I thought it would be fun to try an infinite recursion concept like pointing a camera at a video monitor that is displaying what the camera is seeing. Obviously the detail gets a bit too tedious after a half dozen iterations, so I stopped there and made an attempt at replicating the stenciled vertical letters of “YACHATS” from prior years in the innermost iteration. Enjoy! "
Corina Rose
Janette Square
"I am greatly inspired by the beautiful surroundings here in Yachats. Found buoys and rope are popular outside decor on fences throughout the area, and our yard is no exception. A stream spills into the ocean beside our home where many birds frequent. The crows are regular visitors to our fence, lining up along the weathered rails to preen themselves after a refreshing bath. The pink sea thrift flowers are everywhere in the spring and into the summer. They add lovely color to the yard. I originally created the buoys and fence post design as an intarsia woodworking project for my new book. I realized this design would be a perfect choice for the banner project. An intarsia woodworking artist by trade, I enjoyed the challenge of picking up a paint brush for the first time in many years. Having thoroughly enjoyed the process, I plan to continue painting whenever the opportunity arises."
Lori Stevens
Peter Stevens
Carol Summers
"Fuchsias have long lives. Some have lived here for decades. Even a freeze which appears to kill them only slows them down and they happily grow new leaves in the spring. However, smoke from a recent forest fire ended one of my ancient favorites. So it's a long story but this year I am rewarded with luxuriant growth and I share a bloom with you on my banner."
Jude Toler
Maeona Urban
Osprey Perch
"I see a long/tall story right out my window. People tell me Betty Bahn headed the Wetlands Project and the erecting of the Osprey pole. We have lived here a little over ten years and this is the first time I have seen one on the pole. I just happened to look up from what I was doing and there it was. I looked through our spotting scope to identify it and try to figure out what it was eating. Turns out it had an eel. Over the next few days, it continued to bring eel to the top of the pole for lunch. I was hoping it would return this year but no such luck so far. It took a long time coming the first time and I hope it won’t take as long for the second visit."
"I see a long/tall story right out my window. People tell me Betty Bahn headed the Wetlands Project and the erecting of the Osprey pole. We have lived here a little over ten years and this is the first time I have seen one on the pole. I just happened to look up from what I was doing and there it was. I looked through our spotting scope to identify it and try to figure out what it was eating. Turns out it had an eel. Over the next few days, it continued to bring eel to the top of the pole for lunch. I was hoping it would return this year but no such luck so far. It took a long time coming the first time and I hope it won’t take as long for the second visit."
Sam Valentine
Lily-Therese Walla
"While living in Yachats, where we enjoy the yin & yang of the ocean, along with the constant ebb & flow of people, I have found both rhythm and reflection. Therefore, this year's banner theme, "Every Story in Yachats is a Long One," sent my mind wandering through a favorite poem, written for the ages, an ode of longing & regret that has inspired more than a century of artists.
I offer you a visual tale within a tail, one that can be savored "until human voices wake us, and we drown."
God bless both you, your cats and your legacy, Mr. Eliot."
Tracie Watson
Doug Yunker
The Lure of Yachats
When Jesus was lured to the Yachats fish scene,
Peter saw his net skills were quite keen.
“I don’t mean to be kvetching,
but as long as you’re catching,
can you make them both headless and clean?”
