The popular summertime Pianos in the Parks program came to close last Sunday, July 17 at Alki Beach Park. The program placed 10 artistically enhanced pianos for public play in area parks and open spaces. the first of these pianos found a new home at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon Street).

Following an 11 a.m. piano delivery, the Senior Center of West Seattle’s own Michael Harris hosted a sing-along with center members. Harris was ArtsWest’s Executive Director from 2000-2005 and was in the original cast of HAIR on Broadway in 1968.

This year’s Pianos in the Parks’ pianos were auctioned at pre-event kick-off event for partners and artists. Those in attendance could bid on the pianos for their homes – or for area nonprofit organizations in need of a piano. One of the benefiting organizations is Sound Generations (formerly Senior Services) for three of its Community Partner Sites – including Senior Center of West Seattle, Ballard NW Senior Center and Central Area Senior Center.

The piano that will have a permanent home at the Senior Center of West Seattle Senior Center, is titled Sway Alive by artist Cassie Murphy. The piano appeared this year at Tolt-MacDonald Park.

Laird Norton Wealth Management underwrote and managed the program with generous community support from partners Bellevue Parks and Community Services, City of Bellevue Arts, City of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation, Classic Pianos, Classical KING FM, Gage Academy of Art, KEXP 90.3 FM, King County Parks, PlayNetwork, Port of Seattle, Seattle Center, Seattle City of Music, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Symphony, Ten Grands and Urban Artworks. Additional Support was provided by Downtown Seattle Association, KCTS 9 and MICA (Mercer Island Center for the Arts).

For more information about Pianos in the Parks visit www.pianosintheparks.com and for more information on Senior Center of West Seattle and Sound Generations visit www.sc-ws.org and www.soundgenerations.org.