For this episode, we hone in on a project put together by one of our recent artists-in-residence, Aaron Asis.  After installing Fort Words at Fort Worden State Park, Asis interviews two of the voices that influenced and crossed over with the project. Marlin Holden, Jamestown S’Klallam Elder, shares stories of the S’Klallam people, upon whose land the Fort sits, and what the continued relationship and presence of the tribes has been with Fort Worden. Shelly Leavens, Executive Director, Jefferson County Historical Society, discusses her practice as an oral historian and the significance of capturing oral storytelling through her work with museums, historical societies, and beyond.  

Fort Words is a public art installation created by Asis to celebrate the inspired conditions and historic significance at Fort Worden State Park.  These temporary installations are drawn from local oral histories, collections of historic texts, and public testimonials to give voice to these battery sites and share stories of the Forts dynamic history with park visitors — through October 31st, 2020. 

Fort Words was developed with support from Centrum, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Fort Worden Public Development Authority, Coastal Artillery Museum, Friends of Fort Worden, Ignition Arts — with special support from the Port Townsend Arts Commission, and Washington State Parks & Recreation. 

See the Fort Words website here.

01:25 – Michelle Hagewood and Aaron Asis 

28:50 – Aaron Asis and Marlin Holden 

58:30 – Aaron Asis and Shelly Leavens