“The Parking Fairies”

Linny Pacillo Parking Garage, Anchorage, Alaska

Fused Glass

The Linny Pacillo Parking Garage was named to honor a woman who was a constant, positive force; she left compassion, humor, and profound change in her wake. Throughout her life she raised money and awareness for many causes and charities and was a champion of “The Little Guy” and became a voice for ordinary citizens.

Linny, along with her sister Susan, challenged the Anchorage Parking Authority’s assertive ticketing policy with humor by donning outrageous outfits and depositing coins into the expired parking meters of strangers. They called it “Nickel your Neighbor” and soon had many supporters. For nearly five years the dynamic duo dashed around town wearing a variety of brightly colored tutus, fairy wings, combat boots, head dresses and even occasionally carried magic wands. Linny may have had muscular dystrophy but that didn’t stop her. Instead she found and refurbished a dilapidated meter cart and thus The Fairy Mobile was born.

The Twentieth Alaska State Legislature formally honored the Parking Fairies and stated, “The Pacillo sisters have reminded all of us that government must serve the people. They have also confirmed the strength of our democracy by showing that wrongs can be corrected, and that the will of the people can triumph.”

In 2006 Linny passed away but the memory of her didn’t fade. Senator Johnny Ellis sponsored a bill that named this parking garage after her. It was decided that a fun and lively visual representation of the “Parking Fairies” story would be commissioned and thus this whimsical fused glass art piece was created by Andy Daoust and Barb Yawit in their honor.

Barbara Yawit & Andrew Daoust

1% for Art

Municipality of Anchorage

2008