Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2018.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Yakima Valley Parade, 1999

Cappy Thompson
(American, born 1952)

Location: Washington State Patrol - District III Headquarters, Union Gap, Union Gap

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Yakima Valley Parade is comprised of six, laser-cut steel window panels created by artist Cappy Thompson. She created the panels for the Washington State Patrol Headquarters in Union Gap, Washington, along with another laser-cut steel and stained glass window called 'Tree of Life.'

This composition tells the history of Yakima Valley. Figures include Native Americans, Pioneers, Farmers, and Railroad workers, along with local animals and livestock.

To create the design she input drawings into a CAD (computer-aided design) computer program. This program translated the drawings to a laser-cutting machine.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Patrol.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Celebrated Seattle-based glass artist Cappy Thompson creates rich "mytho-poetic narratives" in her vibrant and animated stained-glass artworks. Her site-specific installations draw imagery from myths, poetry, and personal expression.
To create her vivid and detailed scenes, Thompson often uses a glass painting technique called "grisaille" where black line drawings are painted on glass, which is then fired in a kiln to make the line drawings permanent. Grisaille has existed since medieval times (approximately 450-1450) and is what you often see in stained glass windows in European churches.
Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Western Washington in 1976. She has taught at art and glass programs around the world from Mexico to Australia to Germany, as well as locally at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.