"The Throne," by Nicky Falkenhayn (Courtesy of the artist)
Public art works are on the way to locations around the city now that the Fife Public Arts Commission has selected five pieces of art for the first installation of public art in Fife.
The art pieces were selected from a roster of submitted proposals from area artists last year. The pieces will be displayed at Fife City Hall, Fife's branch of the Pierce County Library, Fountain Memorial Park, Dacca Park and Brookville Gardens beginning in March.
The commission plans to now buy the art from the artists, display the works for up to a year and then sell as many as four of the five works to fund arts programs around the city and then hold a similar call for proposals next year. The commission might select one of the pieces for the city's permanent art collection, while residents can voice their thoughts on a "Community Choice" that will remain part of the city's collection.
The newly formed commission sorted through and evaluated 24 entries, some from artists as far away as Georgia and Canada, but most of them had local ties. The commission had a budget of $10,000 for the work, but set a limit of $5,000 for this year's art installations with no more than $1,000 going to a single artist.
"We were thrilled with the selection for our first call to artists," Arts Commissioner Stelian Paraschiv said. "All the artwork we received would have made a wonderful addition to Fife, but the pieces we chose really exemplify our heritage and future."
Paraschiv is a hobbyist sculptor and painter. His favorite piece among the selected artworks is "The Throne" because of its use of metal and recycled glass. The work, by Nicky Falkenhayn of Portland, Ore., will be installed at Fountain Memorial Park. This work is a metal and glass column with a rippled wave form cutout that runs the length of the sculpture that is topped with a blue fountain of color, making it look like a cross section of a freshwater spring.
"That is pretty amazing," Paraschiv said.
Other selections are:
"Whispering Bird," by Marion-Lea Jamieson of Vancouver, B.C., has been selected but no location has been determined. The work is a welded metal dog statue with a bird perched on its back. The dog is standing at alert with its tail raised and has human hands and feet instead of paws.
"Flour Bed," by Sara Ybarra Lopez of Port Townsend, will be installed at Brookville Gardens. This carved stone piece includes ways people might calm themselves, ranging from "swear" and "smoke" to "hold a baby" and "change the sheets."
"Dream Followers" was made by Julie Watts of Auburn, although she was raised in Edgewood. It will be installed at Fife City Hall. This work is yet to be produced. It will include a collection of some 10 to 12 portraits of Fife community members who have been nominated for their drive and vision for the city. The images will be printed on aluminum panels as an artistic nod to Fife's industrial heritage.
Lisa Kinoshita lives in Tacoma although she grew up in Fife. Her "Valley Roundelay" will be built at Dacca Park. The work is under construction but will be a sculpture based on the rough form of an iconic American barn that will be built in either cast resin or interlocking acrylic panels in Cubist-inspired design. While the sculpture will include symbols of farm life of the city's past, the design will symbolize the modern Fife.
"Bringing art work and an artistic voice is something that every community should strive for," Arts Commissioner Mizu Sugimura said. "I am so excited to see where this project is going to take us."
Information about each selected artist and artwork will soon be displayed on the City of Fife website and other promotional materials.
Nominate Dream Followers:
"Dream Followers" is a term for those who quietly (or loudly!) spend hours in their workshop, office, studio, garage or room... working, practicing, focusing, honing in a goal with the sort of desire that comes from deep within. They may be called inventors, dreamers, innovators, pioneers, artists, or eccentrics. Leaders or loners. Their goals may be community-based or highly personal. They may spark inspiration in many, even confusion in some. How could someone be SO driven? How are they able to breathe such life into their creation? Just WHERE does that passion come from? One thing is for sure, Dream Followers embody extraordinary focus and uncommon dedication aimed at a project, hobby, or career.
Photographer Julie Watts is asking Fife residents to nominate someone they know who possesses these qualities. Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.
-Up to 12 Dream Followers will be selected and contacted if chosen. The Dream Followers will need to be available to be photographed "in their element" between Feb. 23 and March 8. The final art piece has an installment date at the Fife City Hall of March 31.
For more information, contact Julie Watts: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
