The 2011 ArtCurrents Downtown Display

Sun, 06/12/2011 - 13:53

On June 10 The City of Coeur d’Alene dedicated the 2011 ArtCurrents display. ArtCurrents is an art-on-loan program providing sculptures from artists around the country. Fifteen art pieces are available for purchase and have been set up throughout downtown for display for one year or until they're sold. The ArtCurrents program is organized by the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission, and authorized by the Public Art Ordinance which was adopted in 1999, establishing funding of public art that provides public visibility and impact. Prices on this year's artwork range from $2,800 to $48,000.

This year's ArtCurrents display has generated some controversy, because of the display of a statue depicting Ganesha, a Hindu deity and patron of arts and sciences, deva of intellect and wisdom.

The works of art in this year's display are arranged in a loop that makes for a nice walk or bike ride from City Park through downtown on Sherman, and back to the park via Lakeside Ave. The route takes you past other public art and many of Coeur d'Alene's most popular shops and art galleries.

You can find a map of the artworks at the bottom of this page.

1. High Tailin' It - City Park

High Tailin' It by artist Sam Terakedis is on display in City Park near Independence Point. Terakedis lives in Paradise Valley, Montana. He has been a sculptor since 1992 and creates a number of wildlife-themed bronze statues, with number featuring elk and deer. This sculpture has an asking price of $48,000, the highest price in this year's ArtCurrents display. A smaller version of it is available from the Masters Gallery in Vail, Colorado.

2. St. Francis of Assisi - 1st & Sherman

St. Francis of Assisi was sculpted by Rick Davis and has an asking price of $20,000. Rick Davis is a metal sculptor in Spokane and enjoys creating, Celtic designs, native-style art, and using religious themes. You can visit Davis's blog here. Davis created three of the 15 works in this year's ArtCurrents display.

St. Francis was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He was the founder of the Franciscan Order. He is one of the most celebrated figures in religious history and the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Francis was born into a wealthy family, but swore off wealth in favor of poverty, a tradition carried on by the Franciscans to this day.

3. Rachel Weeping for Her Children - 2nd & Sherman

Rachel Weeping for Her Children is one of my personal favorites from this year's art display. This metal sculpture was created by artist Sondra Jonson and has an asking price of $4,500. In her message from the artist on her website, Jonson states about Rachel, "All that I am and all that I have, I owe to the goodness and mercy of God. This studio is pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family, and pro-faith in God. If anyone has a situation in which a life-size or small Rachel Weeping for Her Children would help women heading for abortion to consider choosing life..."

Jonson has been a sculptor for more than years and seeks to capture the human story in her artwork. She lives and works in Cambridge, Nebraska.

This statue is Jonson's interpretation of the biblical text: Jeremiah 31:15 - 17. Rachel's silent cry is for a child lost, as symbolized in the empty blanket across her lap. The rose laying at her side, is also a sign of life.

4. Save the Children - 3rd & Sherman

Save the Children is one of two sculptures by Richard Warrington in this year's display. It is selling for $30,000. This sculpture is eight and a half feet tall, four feet wide and four feet deep, and made of stainless steel. Warrington is an impressionistic sculptor who designs large two- and three-dimensional original, hollow form and silhouette sculptures. He lives in eastern Washington and has a studio in Spokane. On his website, Warrington states of his work, "My designs emulate an outpouring of my emotional, spiritual and aesthetic response to my daily environment and relationships. My simple human-like forms work as a unit entwined and playing off each other...." He was selected as a Best of America Artist in January 2010.

5. Bud's Ripple - 3rd & Sherman

Bud's Ripple was created by artist Teresa McHugh and has an asking price of $3,800. McHugh is a native Idahoan and has numerous pieces of work displayed throughout Coeur d'Alene, including Waterfall, displayed on the side of the Kootenai Medical Center parking garage, and Take Time at the east entrance to Coeur d'Alene. She also has works displayed at the Coeur d'Alene US Courthouse, Eagles Lodge, and Kootenai Health Cancer Center. McHugh has been creating metal art for more than 10 years. She enjoys using raw metal to create nature-inspired art.

To be honest, when I saw the photos of Bud's Ripple from other sources, I wasn't terribly impressed, but once I saw the art in-person, it instantly became one of my favorite pieces. This is one you definitely have to see personally!

6. Stone Bear - 4th & Sherman

Stone Bear is the work of artist Mark Kubiak. More known for his works with the human form, Kubiak is an expert sculptor working in wood, stone, and clay. Stone Bear is for sale at $15,000. Kubiak is local to Sandpoint, Idaho and has works on display at many galleries and events throughout the area.

7. Solo Bass - 5th & Sherman

Operating under the studio name, Philosophers' Stone Metal Art, Colton and Lon Hoppe created Solo Bass a seven-foot tall sculpture of a double bass. The artists grew up in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy taking inspiration from the nature they've been surrounded with throughout their lives. They often sell art at farmers markets and other local venues. Their website states, "From a life sized galloping stallion and a massive bison roaming the range to beautifully colored salmon and inspirational tribal symbols we create imaginative sculptures...."

8. Otter Woman - 5th & Sherman

Inspired by an ancient legend, Otter Woman is a work by Jerry McKellar. This piece of art won the 2005 People's Choice Award at the C.M. Russell Show & Auction. Formerly a dentist, McKellar has been creating art for years in the form of jewelry and sculpture. His style is eclectic and encompasses a variety of themes including Native American styled art and nature themes. He has sculpted humans, bears, eagles and ducks. He works with bronze and stone. Otter Woman is available for $8,500.

9. Ganesha - 6th & Sherman

Perhaps the most controversial sculpture featured in this year's ArtCurrents, Ganesha by Rick Davis, was subject to a small protest from some individuals in the Coeur d'Alene community. Davis is a metal sculptor in Spokane and enjoys creating, Celtic designs, native-style art, and using religious themes. Davis has three pieces of art in the ArtCurrents display.

Ganesha is a Hindu god, easily identified by his elephant head. He wields an axe, lasso, and hook and is the patron of arts and sciences. "Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that this public display of Lord Ganesha would bring more inclusivity in religion and help create a unity that celebrated diversity. Moreover, Ganesha's presence is always considered auspicious, Zed adds." (link)

This statue is being sold for $35,000.

10. Big Time II - 6th & Sherman

Big Time II is the least expensive of the art this year, coming in at $2,800. This work is by Bill Close, a local artist who often uses piping in his sculptures.

11. Moose - 5th & Lakeside

Moose was created by Bill & Karma Simmons and is available for $14,500. Bill Simmons grew up in Europe and enjoys working on western art. He has more than 25 years experience of working as a sculptor. His wife Karma is both a designer and an artist. She enjoys building outdoor sculptures and working with exotic stone and tile. Their studio is called Lloyd Simmons Design. These artists are local to Spokane and have many public art displays in the area.

12. High, Wide and Handsome - 4th & Lakeside

Available for $39,000, High, Wide and Handsome is the work of Jerold Smiley. Smiley once worked as a taxidermist, and his attention to detail and love for the beauty of wild animals carries over to his sculpture. He has work in galleries around the West and has done commissions in Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming, including a seven-foot cowboy sculpture for the Museum of Northwest Colorado. Besides sculpting, Smiley enjoys fishing and hunting, and makes his home at the foot of the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming. He also owns and operates his own foundry, which allows him to create his own bronzes from start to finish.

13. Great Blue Heron - 3rd & Lakeside

Great Blue Heron is one of three sculptures by Rick Davis in the ArtCurrents display. It is valued at $3,000. Rick Davis is a metal sculptor in Spokane and enjoys creating, Celtic designs, native-style art, and using religious themes. This sculpture is directly in front of the Olympia restaurant, and nearby the Seasons Grill & Bar.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest North American Heron, and can survive in many environments ranging from the cold of Alaska to the muggy warmth of Florida's swamps. These birds can sometimes be sighted near Coeur d'Alene.

The Heron statue was vandalized on Thursday evening or Friday morning October 20-21. The Heron was broken off of its base and removed. The city insures each statue up to $10,000 allowing Davis to be reimbursed for the loss. He will also have the option to replace the vandalized display with a new statue. Read more.

14. Moon Song - 3rd & Lakeside

Moon Song is a very literal interpretation of the name. A crescent moon shape with a strand of musical notes on a staff. This sculpture was created by Michael Horswill and is priced at $6,000. Horswill enjoys working with raw mixed media, found in the natural world. He creates highly textured works and builds from a variety of inspirations. You can view more of his work at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d'Alene.

15. Strength of Mission - 2nd & Lakeside

Strength of Mission is one of two sculptures by Richard Warrington in this year's display. It is selling for $24,000. This sculpture is 6'5" x 4'w x 28"d. This sculpture was published in Best of America Sculpture Artists December 2010 issue. It was originally finished in 2008. Warrington is an impressionistic sculptor who designs large two- and three-dimensional original, hollow form and silhouette sculptures. He lives in eastern Washington and has a studio in Spokane. On his website, Warrington states of his work, "My designs emulate an outpouring of my emotional, spiritual and aesthetic response to my daily environment and relationships. My simple human-like forms work as a unit entwined and playing off each other...." He was selected as a Best of America Artist in January 2010.