SZ: On the Boards | FALL 2021

DESIGN

Creative Pro-Tips for Back to School

Going back to school allows us an opportunity to reconsider how our spaces help our kids prepare to learn. As we venture into a new academic year, we offer you creative pro-tips towards healthy homes, conducive to learning and overall wellness. Here are a few ways you could help your student adjust to another unprecedented school year. Go get ‘em, kiddos!

BUILD

Why Green Roofs?

Living roofs go beyond any other roofing option when it comes to the multitude of benefits they provide to those who own, work and live under them. Green roofs are beautiful, create habitat, promote health and well-being, reduce stormwater runoff, protect building envelopes and conserve energy.

Recently, SZ specified LiveRoof’s Standard modular system on a home in Mercer Island. Here’s the skinny…

BOARD MEMBER

For the Love of Math! - A group exhibition of mathematical(ly inspired) art

Presented by the Seattle Universal Math Museum (SUMM)

Hosted by the Suzanne Zahr Gallery, Mercer Island

Curated by Timea Tihanyi

Exhibition Dates: Oct. 1 - Nov. 24, 2021

Opening Reception: (First) Friday, Oct. 1st 5-8pm

Artists’ Reception: (First) Friday, Nov. 5th 5-8pm

This exhibit will explore various art forms influenced by math ideas and mathematical processes of making. This curated collection will show how the vigor, beauty and pleasure of math infuses our lives, from traditional crafts to contemporary research and daily creativity. Invited artists and mathematicians put their work in a dialogue with one another, proving yet again the vital connection that has always existed between art and math.

Math Riddle: I add six to eleven and get five. Why is this correct?
Hint: Answer lies within this invitation…
Join our Opening Reception with the correct explanation and win a cool prize!

Art on invitation by Michael Knutson, courtesy of Greg Kucera Gallery
INVERTING OVOID FIELDS #2, 2018
Watercolor on paper
30 x 22 inches

FIRST FRIDAY - JOIN US!

Golden Falls by Debra Van Tuinen.

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
— E.E. Cummings

It’s with great pleasure & delight that we re-launch our First Friday tradition! Please join us this First Friday, September 3rd (along with Clarke + Clarke, Barrels and other local Mercer Island businesses), as we welcome back celebrated PNW artist, Debra Van Tuinen. Golden Falls will be on display through the end of September. Not to be missed!

Join our (masked) festivities with a cocktail, fine arts and an outdoor plaza gathering at the SZ Gallery. Can’t wait to see you, in person!

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Suzanne Zahr Confirmed on MI Design Commission for Second Term.

On August 31, 2021, the City Council confirmed Suzanne Zahr as one of the seven Design Commissioners for Mercer Island for a second term. As an architect with civil engineering background, Suzanne fills one of the seats as a professional member. She has established a Design/Build firm on Mercer Island under her name and SZ Build, bringing over 20 years of experience that includes time with NBBJ, Olson Kundig, Starbucks, and Amazon (as an IA consultant). She is excited to continue providing her expertise in design and architecture through this volunteer position.

Established in 1972, the Design Commission board is a group of volunteers who each serve for four years. Each commissioner is confirmed by the majority vote of the City Council. The Design Commissioners serve as an advisory board to City Council, providing expert advice on design matters related to the City’s commercial buildings in the Mercer Island Town Center.