In 2019, Sophia Mendez (right) and Nadya Mendez (left) of Everett sit down together on Colby Avenue in downtown Everett to play a piece during the city’s annual Street Tunes experiment. There are eight located around the city as part of an interactive art project to bring visual and musical enjoyment to the community. The pianos will be out until Sept. 14 when they’re put away for the year. Each piano can be played during daylight hours.
EVERETT — Pianos have returned to downtown after a hiatus.
The city rolled out eight pianos Aug. 14 for its annual Street Tunes experiment. They're available until Sept. 14.
The pianos are free to play during daylight hours.
Street Tunes began in 2010 with a modest eight pianos. By 2019, they topped out at 19.
Most were donated. Artists decorated them over the years. None are new designs this year.
The public pianos program ceased in 2020 as a city budget cut. A public typewriters program called "Word on the Street" got chopped that year, too.
The phenomenon of street pianos worldwide started around 2008.
A Herald reporter, Theresa Goffredo, can be credited for their start in Everett. The city's then-economic director was quoted in a 2013 Herald story memorializing Goffredo that the journalist and others suggested the idea.
Piano locations:
• In front of Everett Municipal Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave.
• In front of Imagine Children's Museum, 3000 Hoyt Ave.
• In front of Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave.
• In front of Sno-Isle Food Co-op / Sisters Restaurant, 2804 Grand Ave.
• In front of Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave.
• In front of E.I. Bar, 2610 Colby Ave.
• In the Wetmore Theatre Plaza, 2710 Wetmore Ave.
• In front of Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave.
Artists’ pianos on display this year:
Jackie Cort, Amber Forrest, Krista Jefferson, Jesse James Jeter, Cheri O’Brien, Elizabeth Person, Si Newland and Janet Wold.
