The month-long summertime Pianos in the Parks program kicked off its second season on July 16 with a public celebration at Lake Union Park in downtown Seattle.

The Pianos in the Parks program, made possible by Laird Norton Wealth Management, encourages the discovery of parks through music and art by placing one-of-a-kind, artist-designed upright and grand pianos in parks and open spaces across Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Seattle and other parts of King County. All pianos are made available for free public use and music exploration through Aug. 16.

“Last year we saw how a single, beautifully decorated piano can bring the community together and encourage the discovery and enjoyment of parks and open spaces, “ said Robert Moser, President & CEO of Laird Norton Wealth Management. “Our local parks are vital to creating a strong and healthy community. We’re excited this year to grow the program with more pianos in more parks.”

Marina Park in downtown Kirkland was one of the sites chosen for a piano.

All 22 previously owned pianos are procured, repaired, tuned, transported and maintained by Classic Pianos; and hand-painted or otherwise artistically enhanced by students, faculty and alumni artists of Gage Academy of Art.

“Just like people, every piano has a story,” said Ben Klinger, sales manager of Classic Pianos. “We’re thrilled to be a part of Pianos in the Parks as it offers pianos which are perhaps entering their final chapter, a grand final cadence, and they have been tuned, serviced and dressed up for the occasion. We love that people of all walks of life will be able to enjoy spontaneous musical moments on these pianos together in our area’s great parks.”

“When George Seurat painted his colorful landscape of a Paris crowd enjoying a summer afternoon on the Seine, it was also a celebration of something brand new – open space in the big city,” said Gary Faigin, co-founder and artistic director at Gage Academy of Art. “Artists and parks have always had a love affair – parks are a great place to make art, to see art, and to enjoy the company of our fellow citizens. We’re fortunate to live in a city that also loves its parks, and Gage Academy of Art is happy to lend its support to Pianos in the Parks – a visual and musical tribute to our open spaces that are welcome to everyone, forever.”

Throughout the month, people of all skill levels and musical persuasions are also invited to enter a Pianos in the Parks video contest for a chance to perform as part of the Seattle Center & KEXP Present Concerts at the Mural at 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 21. Entrants simply need to upload a video of their performance of original or public domain music using one of the participating pianos to the Pianos in the Parks website, www.pianosintheparks.com.

At the conclusion of this year’s Pianos in the Parks program, the pianos will be sold to the highest bidder via an online auction. The auction begins on July 16, and closes at 5 p.m. PT on Aug. 13 – for more information, or to place a bid, visitwww.pianosintheparks.com. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Bellevue Parks and Recreation, City of Bellevue Arts Program, Classical KING FM 98.1, Gage Academy of Art, KEXP 90.3 FM, KCTS 9, King County Parks, Kirkland Parks and Community Services, Mercer Island Center for Arts (MICA), Mercer Island Parks and Recreation, Seattle City of Music, Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Symphony.

Laird Norton Wealth Management underwrites and manages the program with generous community support from founding partners Classic Pianos, Gage Academy of Art, KEXP 90.3 FM, Seattle Symphony, PlayNetwork, Seattle City of Music, Seattle Parks and Recreation and King County Parks; as well as new partners Bellevue Parks and Recreation, City of Bellevue Arts Program, Classical KING FM 98.1, KCTS 9, Kirkland Parks and Community Services, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation, MICA, Port of Seattle and Seattle Center.

For more information on Pianos in the Parks, including partners, parks and artists, visit www.pianosintheparks.com.