Creative-district partners install five-foot “Anacortes” letters at ferry terminal

Meredith Mlemoy, representing the Anacortes Arts Festival and the county tourism bureau, told the council the “Find Every Letter” project placed 5-foot letters spelling “Anacortes” at the ferry terminal to draw summer visitors and highlight the city.

The project, funded via a county grant and fabricated in partnership with Janicki, was coordinated by a local economic development committee and the arts festival. Mlemoy said the port provided the site and public-works staff assisted with installation. Artist Jennifer Bowman supplied the artwork and Sign Dog wrapped and finished the letters. The letters are intended to be a short-term summer installation to capture ferry traffic and social-media attention; the group discussed future relocation and longer-term display options.

Council members praised the quick, collaborative effort. Council member Young and others described the initiative as an opportunity to showcase downtown businesses and creative-district banners, while port and chamber representatives handled logistics and signage. No formal city funding change was proposed at the meeting; staff said an informational sign and QR code will be installed near the letters to provide context and links to county tourism pages.

The presentation closed with council appreciation for the number of local partners involved and a note that the installation will remain through the summer, with further placement or reuse to be evaluated later.