Duvall Foundation for the Arts is a 501c3 organization.

Find out more about the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center on the FAQs page

January, 2022

For those of you that have followed the journey of the Thayer barn and the planned Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center we have had some hard news. Duvall Foundation for the Arts has to remove the remaining parts of the Thayer barn and the protective tent we placed over the barn to protect the remaining barn’s wood. DFA never owned the property upon which the Thayer barn stood. When DFA decided to disassemble the barn and then to cover it with a protective tent, DFA was hoping to be underway with construction of the new Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center before the commercial parcel around the Thayer barn was developed. That commercial parcel was created during the subdivision process. We wanted to repurpose the old barn within the new Cultural & Performing Arts Center.

DFA did have a contract to keep the barn and the tent in its current location until the property was subdivided, the commercial parcel was sold and DFA received notice to remove the barn and the tent within 60 days. Unfortunately, the City of Duvall wanted to see the commercial development of the property along Hwy 203 around the Thayer barn sooner than what DFA had hoped for and the City pressed for the development of the Thayer barn parcel. Now the property has sold and DFA has received notification requiring DFA to remove the barn and tent. DFA is doing the best we can to satisfy our contractual obligations to remove the barn and the tent from the commercial parcel. The new owner of the parcel is working with DFA on the time line but there is no doubt that the barn and the tent needs to be removed.

The story of the Thayer barn and DFA’s and the community’s history of planning the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center has been described in more detail in the FAQ about the project.

Here we want to provide a high-level overview of where DFA is on the project and let the community know what will happen next and what you will see between now and summer 2022. For reasons outlined in the frequently asked questions (FAQ), DFA felt we had to sell the tent at auction. The tent has sold for $25,800 and will be removed by the new owner of the tent in February 2022.

DFA would like to move some of the wood, including the shed south of the white tent and the two cupolas, to the new DFA property and to keep some of the wood to repair and modify these items. Most of the rest of the wood that can be reused will go to local farmers so that it may be used on their barns, outbuildings and other structures. Some of the wood may be made available to artists but that concept is still being discussed. The details of how the wood will be distributed to the farmers is still being ironed out. We have had some early conversations with some farmers and DFA wants to continue those conversations and also wants to talk with other farmers who have interest in the wood.

Through the long process that started in 1995 the City required that the owner of a 30acre parcel containing the Thayer barn dedicate some of that property and the Thayer barn to be converted to a performing arts center for the community. This requirement was a condition of the property being annexed into the town and being inside the city limits allowed the property owner to develop the farmland into high density housing with the creation of two commercial lots. One for the arts center and one for a future business of some kind. Subsequently the City then formed an Arts Commission to advise the City on how to move forward with the idea of a creating a performing arts center and other ideas that would support the arts in Duvall, which at that time was a thriving arts community. The City Arts Commission eventually became the current Cultural Commission intended to advise the City on matters regarding the arts. Shortly after the Arts Commission was formed it became evident that the formation of a non-profit with 501C status would be necessary as some people interested in providing financial support to the project were looking for tax deductions. That was when Duvall Foundation for the Arts was formed primarily to support the City in the creation of the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center. DFA also supported other local arts endeavors for example Sandblast, Art in Bloom and arts scholarships.

Over the years there have been various struggles and successes along the way. In accordance with the agreement between the property development company, the City, and DFA, finally at the very end of 2019, with great joy and anticipation DFA obtained the deed to its own property in the center of the new development for the performing arts.

Right after DFA got the property, Covid19 hit. DFA, like many arts organizations, has been struggling through Covid but we have managed to stay afloat. DFA currently owns a property within the Duvall Village development and we have installed the utilities to support a new building as well as outdoor performances. DFA and our guests have the use of the City owned parking lot that is adjacent to the DFA property and that parking lot is also available for use by the public who want to access the Snoqualmie Trail. There is a wide curved sidewalk west from the parking lot through the DFA property to a trail connection to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.

Those are things that the DFA, with financial support of 4Culture, the City, the Rotary, local businesses and the community has worked hard and achieved.

Right now, DFA is saddened by having to remove the barn and the tent and we aren’t sure what the future holds for the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center project. DFA is hoping to keep the property we acquired in 2019 and we are looking forward to having performances in that space and continuing to support the arts in the lower Snoqualmie Valley. DFA would like to continue to develop the property we own for the arts and we have maintenance obligations now that we own property. We are looking for people to help support further development of space for the arts and/or could help support the maintenance of this space, please reach out to us.

August, 2020

A few months ago when we were walking the new property, Deanna Hobbs, DFA’s Vice President noticed some boulders on site and said she wanted to keep them. Later Westcott Homes, one of our key partners in this project, offered to provide DFA with more boulders, and they offered to place them where we wanted them on our property. Tina Koch, Connie Zimmerman, Liz Crain, Jeff Davis and Elizabeth Hill went to the property and thought about where the boulders could be located. It was decided that the best option was to create a temporary art installation where the Duvall Cultural & Performing Art Center building will be located.

Four artists Jeff Davis, Connie Zimmerman, Liz Crain and Elizabeth Hill collaborated to create the temporary art installation from the boulders.

These boulders were brought to this place being carried on, in and beside the Pleistocene glaciers that ripped through solid rocks cutting U shaped valleys and mountain cirques. The boulders are composed of a variety of rock types of different sizes, from different places, with different histories and they landed in Duvall when the glaciers melted leaving behind what geologists call unsorted till. It occurred to these artists that the mix of boulders situated here could be seen as a metaphor for the valley community.

During construction of the roads, parking lots and utilities many boulders were excavated from the site. The collaborating artists arranged the boulders to roughly outline the footprint of the planned Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center while functionally providing outdoor gathering spaces. The name boneyard emerged for the installation because the boulders have a long complex history and they stand now as testimony to the past and at the same time provide inspiration and materials for the future.

As artists we acknowledge the Snoqualmie Tribe and their deep connection to this place. Our intention is to include, invite and engage everyone who visits the installation. Thank you to Susie Kozawa, sound artist, who documented sounds and interviewed members of the team and Nina Ostrovsky, photographer, who captured visual documentation in photographs and videos during the creation of the installation. Importantly thank you to Melanie Davis, the project manager for Westcott Homes, for the donation of the boulders and thank you to Tequila and BJ for getting the boulders into place.

July 6, 2020

Power going underground on our property to serve the future outdoor stage. Yes we remembered to put outlets in for food trucks!!! Thanks to Brian Pattinson for planning the electrical and to Steve Borquez for helping us get the details right in the field. We love 4Culture for their support with this important infrastructure!!!!

June, 2020

Duvall Foundation for the Arts touring the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center property. Our property has an address: 14301 Railroad Way NE, Duvall, WA 98019. (We don’t get mail there yet but this is a real milestone!!!)

Pictured: Deanna Hobbs, Tina Koch, Karen Hendrickson, Rita Ho, Elizabeth Hill, Connie Zimmerman, Liz Crain and Amber Piel.

February 22, 2020

Saturday night celebration at the Grange in Duvall.
Celebrate DFA obtaining the Deed to the property!!!

DFA Board left to right: Karen Hendrickson, Elizabeth Hill, Tina Koch,

Deanna Hobbs, Connie Zimmerman, Jen Brooks, and Rita Ho

January 8, 2020

Director of 4Culture, Brian Carter, visits the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center property to see the progress on the grounds, utilities, pathways, raingardens and get a look at the old barn pieces in the white tent. (Pictured: Deanna Hobbs, VP of DFA Board of Directors and Brian Carter, Director of 4Culture on the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center property with rain garden to treat stormwater, Snoqualmie trail and valley view in the background).

December 17, 2019

The Duvall Foundation for the Arts now owns the property for the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center!

Duvall Foundation for the Arts Board of Directors with the recorded Deed. (From Left to Right)

Karen Hendrickson Board Treasurer and Secretary, Connie Zimmerman Board Member and Senior Advisor to the Project Team, Tina Koch Board President, Elizabeth Hill Board Member and PM, Deanna Hobbs Board Vice President and Communications Director for the Project, and Jen Brooks Board Member.

For more information on the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center history read our history of progress below and check out our Q & A sheet here. Get involved, make a financial contribution, join our team: Email us at admin@duvallarts.org.

December 11, 2019

On December 10, 2019 Duvall City Council approved the subdivision of the property for the Duvall Village development which is on the west side of SR203 on the southern part of Duvall. The subdivision created the parcel where the future Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center will be constructed. Through a development agreement between the City of Duvall, Westcott Homes and the DFA, 1) Westcott Homes donated the property to the DFA, 2) DFA paid for the installation of the infrastructure to support the future building, 3) the City of Duvall obtained a parking lot that will be used by people attending events on the DFA parcel and people using the new connection to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, and 4) the City constructed the road frontage improvements along SR203 and obtained additional park land. This has been a dream for over 20 years.
Pictured above: Kerek Edwards, President of Westcott Homes, Deanna Hobbs, Vice President of DFA and Communications Director for the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Tina Koch, President of DFA, Steve Leniszewski, City of Duvall Director of Public Works, Amy Ockerlander, Mayor of Duvall, Connie Zimmerman, DFA Board Member and Senior Advisor for the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Lara Thomas, City of Duvall City Administrator, and Elizabeth Hill, DFA Board Member and volunteer PM for DFA.

Mayor Amy Ockerlander, DFA President Tina Koch, and Westcott Homes President Kerek Edwards signing legal documents creating the home for the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center

We are looking forward to a public celebration, in mid to late winter, 2020. Next we will co-host a ribbon cutting/grand opening of our outdoor area in summer, 2020 with City of Duvall and Westcott Homes; we will provide details as we get closer.

Our greatest thanks to everyone who has worked on, donated to, and otherwise supported this project. Thank you!

With the land acquired, the needed infrastructure installed, the conceptual design for the new building completed by LMN architects, entitlement documents approved by the City of Duvall, and the old barn wood and architectural elements covered and protected, we are laser focused on raising the money to build the new Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center. Here we go on the next part of this big adventure. Join us.

August 18, 2019

Construction underway now on outdoor area – Yes that will be our view!

Construction on our new site is in full swing. Right now, the following items are either installed or are under construction: Sewer line, water line, stormwater lines, raingarden, power lines, and gas lines. The following items will be constructed this fall: Trail through the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center property that connects to the Snoqualmie Valley trail, trail lighting, curb, gutter and sidewalks, installation of the lawn, irrigation, and power to the future stage. We are putting in the infrastructure to support the building. There may be some work that has to be finished when the weather is dry again in the spring of 2020. The outdoor area is scheduled to be ready for use in summer of 2020. Look for news about our plans for a Grand Opening Event next summer!

Deed to the Property

DFA have the contract to own the improved parcel. We are on schedule to get the deed to the property in the first quarter of 2020. Westcott Homes is donating the actual land. We are paying for the improvements with a grant from 4Culture.

Barn Parts and Barn Wood – Artist’s Vision

Many of the barn elements and the barn wood are protected under the white tent. Here are some examples of the barn elements. DFA was able to use new technology to laser map the barn parts. Here are some examples of the output of that work.

How is the wood going to be re-purposed in our new Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center? In 2018 DFA and the Duvall Cultural Commission, with support of 4Culture, looked for input from master artists to work with us on answering that question. Through a creative consultancy program, invented, organized and administered by 4Culture, DFA was able to consider the resumes of over 80 artists from around the region. We short listed a group of artists and then DFA and the Duvall Cultural Commission interviewed 4 of those artists. We selected Don Fels, internationally known artist and recipient of 3 Fulbright Fellowships. Don Fels (visual artist) along with Susie Kozawa (sound composer) are working with our team including the DFA Board of Directors, the DFA project team, the project architects LMN and our contractor Dan Cook to develop ideas on how to best repurpose what remains of the Thayer Barn in attractive, functional and inspiring forms. If you are curious about Don Fels please see his website at this link http://artisthinker.com/. Also, here is a link to a project by Susie Kozawa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPgwrrB0JeQ. DFA Board of Directors looks forward to sharing the ideas that this team generates with the community.

Recent grants

We recently received two grants ($15,000 & $60,000) from 4Culture.

We have an application in to 4Culture for another $15,000 grant.

Fundraising for the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center

As we close in on getting the deed to the property, and having the infrastructure in place, our focus turns again to fundraising for the building. This will require a large community effort and we look forward to sharing more about this as the project moves forward.

How can you help?

First we know there are a lot of questions about the project so when you hear people talking about the project, please share with them what you know. We need people on the Board who are interested in the things we will need to do once we own property; for example, apply for a non-profit tax exemption, upgrade our insurance, etc. We are actively seeking people with interest in those areas. We always need volunteers for our events and fundraisers and we always welcome your financial support.

March 12, 2019

Woodinville Weekly Article Provides an Update on Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center

http://www.nwnews.com/index.php/valley-view/17240-duvall-cultural-performing-arts-center

June 10, 2018 – Groundbreaking News Article

News article on Groundbreaking for the outdoor area at the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center
http://www.nwnews.com/index.php/valley-view/16432-ground-officially-broken-for-new-duvall-cultural-performing-arts-center-this-is-what-perseverance-looks-like

June 2018 – New updated design for Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center from LMN Architects.

Based on input DFA received from the community and its future users, visits of other art centers, designs of similar projects, the architecture of the Thayer barn and other agricultural buildings in the valley, the rural nature of the valley, site conditions, current codes and our understanding of the future needs of the community, LMN Architects refined the design of the planned Duvall Cultural & Performing Art Center. These are the new designs.

Download Building Floor Plans (PDF) | Download Building Elevations (PDF)

November 2017 – Old Thayer Barn Now Covered

Old Thayer Barn now covered with steel and white canvas tent. Thanks to 4Culture for funding, Cooks Structural Movers for taking the barn apart and building the foundation for the tent building, Clearspan for designing, manufacturing and putting up the tent and Nadja Vol-Ochs Wilson for helping DFA put together this fun video.

October 2017 – UPDATE on the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center

Structural groundwork for the covering took place in October. Thank you Cook Structual Movers LLC for working fast while the weather remained nice. Learn more about the past and future of the upcoming Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center here: http://duvallarts.org/community-arts-center/art-center-faq/

october2017 20171028_124610

September 2017 – UPDATE on the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center

The City of Duvall has been hard at work this summer putting in major utilities under 203 that will support the project. They are also putting in new sidewalks which are near completion and resurfacing HYW 203 as part of the Main Street project. The box culvert looks great for fish and small wildlife passage. The utilities, street lights and beginning of the entry road are all coming together. The City has done a great job on this project.

The Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center project team has had a busy summer as well touring other art facilities including places in Los Angles, Seattle, Vashon Island and more. Information gathering, communicating about highest needs, best practices, challenges, and design solutions. The team has captured and organized information to inform our design decisions. We also have been out talking to local art organizations and are prepared to share the findings from our tours and interviews with the architect.

June 2017 – UPDATE on the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center

Duvall Foundation for the Arts is so excited to let the supporters of the project know that the construction drawings for the infrastructure for the project have been approved by the City of Duvall. DFA will be coordinating the schedule for this construction effort with the developer. Thank you for having faith in our efforts. Thank you to Westcott Homes for getting the designs developed and thank you to the City of Duvall for approving the plans. See approval letter here.

March 2017 – UPDATE on the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center

The City has conditionally approved the Site Development Construction Drawings. Another step in the process. Additional details soon!

October 2016 – UPDATE on the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center

The Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center project is being done in steps and much of the work that is going on is not yet visible. This update describes the status of the project and explains how it relates to the SR203 road frontage improvements and the development planned by Westcott Homes. The major activities are listed in chronological order along with notes on who is performing the major elements.

1) Agreements have been completed to allow DFA, Westcott Homes and the City to move forward with a complex set of projects. Agreements address development of the parcel that includes the Thayer Barn, major improvements to SR203 and results in a transfer of an improved parcel to the DFA for the home of the future Art Center.

2)The Thayer barn has been disassembled in order to be able to reuse of barn wood and key architectural elements. DFA had Cook Structural Movers complete this work.

3)Utilities are being moved and stubbed out in preparation for SR203 road frontage improvements. This work is currently underway and is being done by the private utility companies and the City of Duvall.

4)SR203 road improvements is underway. This work is being done by Interwest, a contractor hired by the City of Duvall. For more information regarding the road project and the utility relocates, see the Mayor of Duvall’s report, Public Works Section at Duvall Road Project.

5) Large cover to go over the disassembled barn to protect the barn wood has been ordered. Currently DFA is working with the vendor on the design of the ecology block anchor system which will hold down the cover in the wind and hold up the interior trusses. The cover is being manufactured and will be installed this winter.

6) Design of site improvements are underway including underground utilities, access road, parking, trail, lawn, gas, power, irrigation, sewer, water, and storm water. These designs are included on construction drawings that Westcott Homes has submitted to the City. The City has reviewed the construction drawings and has provided review comments. Westcott Homes and their consultants revise the drawings based on the City comments. This is a normal part of getting to approved set of construction drawings. There are still some details that are being resolved on the third revision. These drawings are very detailed and get down to very specific information for the outdoor areas including for example where individual lawn sprinkler heads will be located. To indicate the level of complexity of these drawings we are providing an example of the raingarden planting plan that will treat stormwater. The raingarden will be owned and managed by DFA and will have a gravel trail and native plants. See the attached picture that shows the conceptual planting plan in color and then the landscape architectural plans that are based on the concept plan. Each detail of the project has to be thought through, designed and then conveyed in a set of construction drawings. This raingarden example is only one item on one sheet. The overall Westcott project, including the improved parcel for the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center, has 99 design sheets within the plan set.

The devil is always in the details and there are many on this project.

7) Developer to install the site improvements after construction drawings are improved and likely when spring 2017 arrives and weather improves for earthwork.

8) Developer transfers improved property to DFA for the future home of the Duvall Cultural and Performing Arts Center. Hopefully in January 2018.

9) Grounds of the Art Center planned to be available for use by the community in Summer 2018.

9) DFA continues to raise money for the design and construction of the new building.

10) DFA, with input from the community, continues to work with an architectural team to design the new building.

11) DFA’s contractor builds the new building.

12) Open the new indoor facility for enjoyment by the community.

raingarden

Raingarden example: From concept to construction drawings. The raingarden will treat stormwater and has a gravel trail and native plants.

plans

Designing and constructing the outdoor site improvements for the Art Center is part of a larger project that is being delivered by Westcott Homes. These are the construction drawings for Westcott Homes development. There are 99 sheets, each with many details.

Vision for the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center:

Develop a sustainable center for the advancement of the arts. The center will serve as a community gathering place for all age groups and cultivate the ongoing development of the artistic center of our community, and provide a place for public entertainment, cultural events, and other community activities. The barn will be a living link to our history and agriculture. It will also serve as an economic and cultural stimulant for Duvall and the Snoqualmie Valley.

Statement for Development of the Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center:

The Duvall Foundation for the Arts will partner with Westcott Homes, the City of Duvall, and other key stakeholders to develop the center. Some of the design criteria are creation of a rural feeling around the barn, open loft space with wood acoustics inside the barn, and use of existing materials to the extent practical. Space design considerations are for the art events and performance activities as well as for other community events that are envisioned. In addition, design elements will support revenue-generating events. During development of the barn, safety, cost, code compliance, and schedule will also be drivers.

To join our Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center volunteer group, please send an e-mail or fill out our Volunteer Form.

We will be posting progress reports on this page as the project moves along. Please stay tuned!

Duvall Cultural & Performing Arts Center