The Magic Skagit at the MVLC
For some, the agricultural references incorporated into the Mount Vernon Library Commons might seem obvious, but look a little closer and you will find a few references that you might not have seen.
It was very important to the City and former Mayor, Jill Boudreau, to include local agricultural themes into the Commons, but to do it in a way that honored not just the past, but the very bright and innovative future at work in our fields. Located in the center of the building is Interpretive Display that includes the history of the Valley’s agricultural beginnings, accompanied by panels that honor the Indigenous peoples who inhabit these lands from time immemorial, and recognition and deep gratitude for the farmworkers who have been integral to growing and harvesting the Valley’s bounty. It also talks about the incredible new innovative research and crop development going on and the value-added products coming to market as a result—we encourage you to spend some time reviewing these panels to get an overview of the magic here in the Skagit.
The agricultural themes carry on through numerous architectural features in and on the building, including the glass marquees that mark the main entrances to the Library and Commons.
The west marquee, above the main Library Entrance, features local blueberries grown in the Valley. The east marquee, above the main entrance to the Commons, features one of the special wheat varieties that have been developed by the WSU Extension’s Breadlab. It’s called Skagit 1109, a hard red winter wheat and the first winter wheat developed specifically for the maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest. As stated on the Breadlab’s website, “Through innovation and discovery, education and advocacy, WSU Breadlab is leading the movement to put nutrition and sustainability at the center of our conversation about food.” Their wheats are used in craft brewing, breadmaking, and even miso products.
The patterns are superimposed on the glass in half-tone patterns, which create a three-dimensional image. These patterns, along with a dot matrix background create visual interest, provide for a bit of screening of the parking garage beyond, and act as a bird deterrent.
The two elevators, one on each end of the buildng, follow the same themes of Blueberry and Wheat, to provide information on each of the marquees, provide a sense of wayfinding, and put visitors “in the fields”. 360-degree photographs of actual local blueberry and wheat fields were taken and used to create the glass panels that surround the elevator interiors. Graphics on the elevator doors provide information about the crops.
There are also two custom steel gates that incorporate Valley agriculture themes. The first is the upward acting gate at the southeast plaza entry which features Skagit Valley potatoes. The second is the sliding/folding gate at the dumpster enclosure at the alley, which features Skagit Valley spinach. Both products are grown as restaurant grade, high-value crops, and spinach is grown both for the produce, as well as seeds that are sold throughout the world.
And in a related, multi-meaning graphic, the Technology Area has a wall mural consisting of a Queen Bee, one of the important pollinators that our crops depend on for healthy, sustainable growth and production. It is our hope that the community and visitors will enjoy these nods to all the hard work, labor, research, environmental stewardship, and dedication to our local food supply and walk away with a deeper respect for the past, present, and future of Skagit Valley agriculture.
