Art commission ceremony celebrates public art donated during pandemic

Lord knows, the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing to celebrate.

But what can be celebrated is what has proved immune to the virus crisis: The sustaining nature of public art.

Since early 2022, the Town of La Conner has received donations of new public artwork designed to enhance the creative spirit for which the community is known. Those donations were formally celebrated during ceremonies held by the arts commission at Maple Hall Saturday, Sept. 3.

A one-hour program coordinated by arts panel member Sheila Johnson and including remarks from Mayor Ramon Hayes, preceded a self-guided tour of new art along historic First and Second streets.

Participants viewed pieces created by Richard Nash, Tom Pemberton, Donald Rothwell, Jay Bowen, Milo White and Tracy Powell.

They also visited the site at the base of the Benton Street stairway where Roger Small's "The Visionary," donated by Marilyn Thostenson, will be installed, and the Butterfly Garden on the La Conner Civic Garden Club grounds, future locale of Powell's and Stan O'Neil's "Tudor Rose Fence," gifted by Jean Wharton.

In addition to Thostenson and Wharton, donors Emily Geyman, George Drake, Powell (who gifted his Peace Dove sculpture to the downtown Peace Park) and Bob Patterson, Patterson's daughter, Deanna, were acknowledged by Johnson and Hayes.

Patterson's colorful four-canvas quadriptych of the waterfront as it appeared nearly a decade ago hangs on the front of the Maple Hall balcony.

Johnson said that Patterson, a Los Angeles native who began pursuing art full-time following a career in construction, devoted more than 700 hours to the waterfront mural project. She noted that he settled in La Conner after having established one of the largest art galleries in Alaska.

"He and Mayor Hayes discussed capturing the La Conner waterfront as it was in 2014," Johnson said, "and Bob set out to paint a depiction of the town, from the marina to the Rainbow Bridge."

Johnson shared biographical sketches of each of the artists and of their work and thanked donors for making possible public enjoyment of that art for years to come.

She pointed out that Powell – best known for his carving of the famed 24-foot Maiden of Deception Pass – had taken up whittling as a Boy Scout.

Hayes, himself a professional pianist, praised the artists, donors and arts commission members while officially accepting the new works on behalf of the town.

"Being an artist is often a vulnerable path," Hayes stressed. "You make something so deeply personal and then present it to the world with an open heart. Not everyone is so fearless. Thank you for reminding us of what's possible. By pursuing these passions despite the risks and fears, you inspire us to do the same. Thank you for your mentorship. Thank you for what you create."

He thanked donors for their "appreciation of what gives meaning, beauty and context to our world."

Hayes extended appreciation to the commission for its dedication to ensuring that "these works – and others like them – receive the prominence and respect they deserve."

Johnson also showed a 15-minute film on late ceramic artist Clayton James, a view of "Old La Conner," James' home and studio, with the artist explaining his transition from painting to three-dimensional work.