Venues for Artists in the Local Area
ReDMoND Bicycle Pr0Ject
With everyone in quarantine, it is easy to feel disconnected from the community, and uninspired. While many things have moved online into a virtual forum (which is wonderful in its own way), virtual forums are not tangible. In a time when life itself seems unreal; a piece of tangible art can connect us in a beautiful, meaningful way. You can connect with your community by taking part in the “Redmond Bicycle Project – A Random Act of Art.” This activity also helps to celebrate the City’s upcoming virtual Derby Days 2020.
Call to Connect through Creation & Exploration
This is not your typical artist call. The Redmond Bicycle Project, is a Derby Days 2020 community project that encourages you to connect through creation, and exploration. You are encouraged to create a Penny Farthing (a symbol of Redmond, the “Bicycle Capital of the Northwest”) and display it in an area where it is visible to people outside who are 6 feet or more away. Place it in your window, in a tree in your yard, or in your vehicle. You are also encouraged to explore your neighborhood to hunt down as many Penny Farthing as possible.
Whether you're an explorer, creator, or both, take photos of Penny Farthings and post them online to share with other community members. What you make, or find could be featured by VALA Eastside during Derby Days 2020! The following hashtags are great to use for every Penny Farthing post: #VALAEastside #DerbyDays2020 #RedmondBicycleProject #RandomActsOfArt. If your post is about a Penny Farthing that you made, use: #IMadeThis, and if it's about one that you found, use: #LookWhatIFound.
For instructions on how to make a Penny Farthing, scroll to "How to Make Your Own Penny Farthing."
Partners
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How to take part in the Redmond Bicycle Project
There are a few ways that you can take part in the “Redmond Bicycle Project.” Be a leader, a creator, or an explorer.
Neighborhood leader
A leader is a person who encourages and guides neighbors on taking part in the “Redmond Bicycle Project.” You can rally your neighbors to join the project by phone, email, or our virtual space. Post your challenge (call to participate) on social media. You can tag people on Facebook and Instagram to become creators. Good hashtags to use are: #VALAEastside #DerbyDays2020 #RedmondBicycleProject #RandomActsOfArt and #LetsDoThis
Creator
A creator is a person who creates and displays a Penny Farthing as part of the “Redmond Bicycle Project.” You can take photos of your Penny Farthing – in a window, a tree, or in your vehicle – and share on social media. Good hashtags to use are: #VALAEastside #DerbyDays2020 #RedmondBicycleProject #RandomActsOfArt and #IMadeThis
Explorer
An Explorer is an aesthete who takes a photo of at least one Penny Farthing created as part of the “Redmond Bicycle Project,” and posts it on social media with the hashtags: #VALAEastside #DerbyDays2020 #RedmondBicycleProject #RandomActsOfArt and #LookWhatIFound
How to Make Your Own Penny Farthing
Items You Will Need
The Basics
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Metal Hoop - 5"
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Metal Hoop - 1.5"
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Jewelry Wire (Lightweight, malleable 12 gauge) - 2 pieces about 12"
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Yarn or Twine - about 2" to 4"
Tools
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Scissors
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Wire Cutters
Optional Extras
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Beads w/ Holes Large enough for Yarn to pass through (for extra decorations)
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Extra Jewelry Wire (for extra parts like pedals)
*All items can be purchased at local business, Ben Franklin's Craft & Frames in Redmond, WA
 - Metal Hoop - 5" - Metal Hoop - 1.5" - Jewelry Wire - 2 pieces about 12" - Yarn - Wire Cutters - Scissors |  Black, acrylic yarn at Ben Franklin's in Redmond, WA. |  5" metal hoop at Ben Franklin's in Redmond, WA. |
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 1.5" metal hoop at Ben Franklin's in Redmond, WA. |  12 gauge malleable jewelry wire at Ben Franklin's in Redmond, WA. |
Part 1: Wrap Hoops
Tip: Start with the larger hoop. Once you get to the small hoop the ball of yarn will be small enough to easily pass through it.
Securely tie the yarn to the hoop. Then start wrapping the yarn around the hoop. If you need to temporarily stop wrapping the yarn before finished, use a clothes pin to hold the yarn in place.
This is the end result of wrapping 2 metal hoops (one large, one small) with yarn.
Tip: Start with the larger hoop. Once you get to the small hoop the ball of yarn will be small enough to easily pass through it.
Part 2: Tie on Bicycle Spokes
Securely tie yarn to wrapped hoop. This is the starting knot for the spoke. Be sure to leave enough of a tail to make it easy when tying off the finishing knot of the spoke.
Loop the yarn around the hoop to return yarn to the starting knot. Keep yarn taut. To finish off the spoke, tie the working end of the yarn to the tail of the starting knot. Cut yarn loose.
When finished, the wheels look something like this image.
Securely tie yarn to wrapped hoop. This is the starting knot for the spoke. Be sure to leave enough of a tail to make it easy when tying off the finishing knot of the spoke.
Part 3: Shape & Fasten Wire
Cut out a 12" piece of wire
Fold 12" piece of wire in half
Fold the end of the wire. Slip wire under the center knot of the small wheel so that the center knot rests on the folded part of the wire. Wrap and tuck the working end of the wire to around itself at the top of the wheel.
Cut out a 12" piece of wire
Part 4: Wrap Frame, Handles, and Seat
Wrap yarn around the frame. Start by tying a knot around the wire at the center of the large wheel. Work your way up, and around. A clothespin can be used to hold the yarn in place during breaks.
Cut off loose ends of yarn. If you would like to hang the bike, tie a loose little loop of yarn around the curved wire. This will allow you to move the loop around until you get a desired balance.
BLM Penny Farthing displayed on a wall.
Wrap yarn around the frame. Start by tying a knot around the wire at the center of the large wheel. Work your way up, and around. A clothespin can be used to hold the yarn in place during breaks.