By Lindsay Peyton

Three-dimensional salmon -- painted and made of paper -- hang like a giant mobile near the entry of the administration building in the Ballard Locks. 

When the door opens, and a breeze enters the space, the fish flutter about and almost appear to be swimming.

The installation was created by Ballard artist Lisa Snow Lady, as part of an exhibit she co-curated in honor of the centennial celebration of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.

For some time, she has been drawn to the Locks, which officially opened in the summer of 1917. 

“I like to paint neighborhood scenes,” she said. “I take a lot of walks and like to capture the light and shadow on architecture.  The Ballard Locks have inspired me.”

More than 40,000 vessels pass through the Locks each year – and the area is also site to a fish ladder, which is integral to the salmon that journey through the waterway. 

The space around the Locks includes a botanical garden and a visitor’s center complete with historic exhibits. 

The confluence of engineering and nature spoke to Snow Lady – as well as a number of her fellow artists.

When she learned about the centennial celebration, she asked Stacey Gilbert, project manager of the visitor center, if art could somehow be included. 

“Stacey wanted to but wasn’t sure how to go about it,” Snow Lady said. “I told her I would be happy to help. Plus I know a lot of artists.”  Gilbert agreed to help plan an exhibit. 

“I decided to take it on, because Lisa was willing to help,” Gilbert said.  

Snow Lady paints nearby in her studio in BallardWorks – and sent out an invitation to a few artists in the building to participate in the show. 

She also invited other artists from around the city, as did Gilbert.  “I tried to reach out to a diverse group of artists,” Snow Lady said. 

The theme of the show was art inspired by the Locks – whether that meant the boats, gardens, buildings or people passing by. 

The works of about 30 artists are now on display in the administrative building. 

“I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but it turned out really nice,” Gilbert said. “We have a nice representation of different media. This is really a tribute to how special this place is and how it touches and affects people in such a positive way.”

Two of Snow Lady’s paintings are on display in the exhibit as well. 

An opening reception was held on Thursday, Aug. 17 – and sponsored by Discover Your Northwest. 

The show will be up through Friday, Sept. 15. Artists have agreed to donate 30 percent of their sales from the event towards the redesign fish ladder at the Locks. 

For more information about the Locks and ways to help the 100-year-old structure, visit www.ballardlocks.org. 

For more information about Lisa Snow Lady, visit http://lisasnowlady.com,