Back in April, neighbors from across Kirkland came together for For the Love of Kirkland, a community gathering dedicated to what unites us: our shared love for this city and the people who make it home.
In a season when national conversations can feel divided, this event offered a refreshing reminder that here in Kirkland, connection still runs deep. We came together not to debate, but to dream, exploring ideas, projects, and simple acts of kindness that could make our community even more welcoming, joyful, and inclusive.
While some of the community project ideas voted on that evening raised safety or feasibility concerns that prevented them from moving forward, the real magic of For the Love of Kirkland was never about the projects themselves. It was about what happened between people — the laughter, the conversations, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.
And those feelings have continued to bloom across Kirkland in the months since.
The team at Kirkland Arts Center took the spirit of love and whimsy to heart. Their ceramics staff handcrafted 15 unique clay gnomes, nine of which survived the firing process. With the help of Jeremy, the team hid the gnomes around town just before The Umbrella Fringe Festival, posting playful clues to guide residents on a citywide treasure hunt.
Neighbors were encouraged to share photos of their discoveries using #UmbrellaFringe. The joy of the hunt has sparked countless smiles, selfies, and spontaneous connections, proving that sometimes the smallest acts of creativity bring the biggest joy.
Over at Spud Fish & Chips, local artist Erika Flak and her partner Jay, brought new life to Juanita neighborhood with a bright and welcoming mural. When local business owner Cara reached out hoping to enliven the building’s exterior, Erika & Jay jumped in, donating more than 50 hours of design and painting time to make it happen.
With supply support from the Kirkland Community Foundation, the mural now stands as a vibrant love letter to the community, a piece that will brighten days for years to come.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create this work,” Erika shared. “It’s been an incredible learning experience and a joy to share something lasting with the community.”
Beyond murals and gnomes, love continues to show up in countless small ways — in neighbors tending shared gardens, new birdhouses appearing in local parks, and conversations about accessibility projects to help more residents enjoy being close to the water.
The City of Kirkland also joined in the creative fun by introducing a hidden art installation in honor of the Umbrella Fringe Festival. This “rain art” project that was highlighted at the For the Love of Kirkland event, comes to life only when it rains. The design appear outside of KTUB, offering a delightful surprise to passersby and a reminder that beauty often emerges when we least expect it.
For the Love of Kirkland is a reminder that community is built one connection at a time. The projects may evolve, but the purpose remains: to bring people together beyond politics, rooted in our shared care for this place we all call home.
And in the spirit of Kirkland creativity, we’re proud to offer a t-shirt version of the Cow a Coyote statue on our gear site for anyone who wants to pick one up and carry a little Kirkland love home.
We invite you to keep noticing the joyful things around you — the kindnesses, the color, the creativity — and share them with us. Tag your moments of community love with #ForTheLoveOfKirkland and help fill our city with stories that remind us we’re all in this together.
And if you’ve been dreaming up a project that could bring neighbors together, reach out to us at the Kirkland Community Foundation. Every act of love helps our community grow stronger.
KCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
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