Art City adds Valentine's Day to Forks' Nestaweja River Trail

A public art project created by dozens of hands on the Nestavea River Trail has emerged to spread the message of love this Valentine's Day.

The piece features large red and pink letters that read “I love you.”

They're decorated with flourishes, from ribbons to hand-painted hearts created by Art City participants.

“We wanted to send a message to anyone who might have come across him. “I love you is a message that everyone deserves to hear and embrace,” said Art City Executive Director Eddie Ayoub.

Public art is the organization's first step toward taking the magic that happens in its studio and bringing it to the streets, Ayoub said.

Art City has done similar Valentine-themed public art projects in recent years, such as strategically placing letters around the city that draw hearts when viewed from a map.

They first installed the letters on the river trail last year. Passers-by are quick to snap photos, which has led to adorable art popping up on social media feeds all over the city and beyond.

“We thought, 'Let's put them all in one place where a lot of people can see it, take pictures with it, enjoy it and interact with it, and then they get the message at the same time.'

I LOVE YOU is the message we all deserve to hear! @ArtCityInc Participants of all ages poured their hearts into this collaborative piece of public art, now on display along the Nestavea River Trail. @wpgfdn.

Enjoy the art, take pictures and spread the love! pic.twitter.com/JJ6rPn4gJ4

— The Forks (@TheForks) February 14, 2024

Fueled by the love the project received in 2023, they took the letters back into the studio this year and had their participants decorate using reclaimed wood, mixed media and paint.

“You see a lot of different styles and a lot of hands on all these letters, so it was a big, collaborative effort. It's children, adults, seniors — anyone who attends our programs on any given day,” Ayub said.

This year, the piece was installed on the river trail right next to Forks Market. Ayyub says that depending on the response, they can continue it after Valentine's Day.