I was asked by the Washington Arts Commission in March of 2007 to design of a work of art at a new elementary school called Lidgerwood. I was delighted to be asked to create a work at this stunning piece of architecture, located three miles north of downtown Spokane. The selection committee showed me several possible spots but I urged them to position the art on a high gray concrete wall in the central hall that could use embellishment. After several meetings with the design committee, an idea was selected and I began construction in Seattle. The work was installed at Lidgerwood April 2008.
“Spirit Grove” as it is called, is set on a wall 31 feet high and a little over 7 feet wide. The tree forms are made of sculpted western red cedar. The shapes are carved in industrial Styrofoam and coated with Milestone, as cement/acrylic product to give them a hard shell, then painted. No shape weighs even a pound. These are then glued and pegged to the trees or the wall. The piece is designed so it appears some branches have grown through the wall and are coming out one side. Other shapes on that wall are flying away. “Spirit Grove” was dedicated to an enthusiastic bunch of kids and adults, June 2008.
©2009 Purser Studio
