Lexington Elementary To Receive One-of-a-Kind Glass Installation Featuring Student Handprints (Photo) - 06/30/26
When students walk through the doors of Lexington Elementary this fall, they'll be welcomed by a work of art created especially for them. With every student's handprint incorporated into the artwork, the installation captures a moment in the school's history and is a lasting reminder that the heart of a school is its children.
As part of the Washington State Arts Commission's Art in Public Places program (AIPP), Lexington Elementary has been selected to receive a custom glass installation by Washington artist Lisa Stirrett. Inspired by Lexington's vision, Kelso's community, and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the artwork celebrates the people and place that make the school unique.
The focus of the installation is three striking glass salmon, symbols of perseverance, resilience, and the enduring connection to home. Woven throughout the artwork are meaningful details that reflect the Pacific Northwest and the Lexington community. Most special of all, the installation incorporates the actual handprints of every Lexington student, creating a lasting tribute to the children who will fill the school with learning, laughter, and possibility. Approximately 100 handprints are embossed into the back of one of the salmon, while the remaining handprints are thoughtfully integrated throughout the artwork.
Composed of hundreds of individually crafted pieces of glass, the installation is both an artistic and engineering achievement. Each of the three salmon weighs approximately 150 pounds, and a specialized crew of five installers will spend two days—July 14 and 15—carefully assembling the artwork in the school's main commons near the front entrance.
"Public art has the power to create a sense of belonging," said Lexington Principal Tim Yore. "This installation tells the story of our community and gives students something inspiring to experience every time they walk through our doors. It's a reminder that this school was built with them—and their future—in mind."
Lexington received the artwork through the Washington State Arts Commission's Art in Public Places program, which reserves one-half of one percent of the state's construction costs for public art in newly constructed public buildings. Through a collaborative design process, local representatives worked alongside ArtsWA to select an artist and help shape a piece that reflects Lexington's identity and values.
Since 1974, ArtsWA's State Art Collection has grown to more than 5,000 works displayed in schools and public buildings across Washington. The collection is one of the nation's largest state-supported public art programs and is unique in its commitment to bringing original artwork into K–12 schools.
For Lexington students, the installation represents more than a decorative feature—it is a lasting investment in creating a welcoming environment where art, community, and learning come together. For years to come, thousands of students, families, staff, and visitors will enter the school beneath a work created to reflect the spirit of Lexington Elementary and the Kelso community.
About Kelso School District
Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.
