HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-25 Press Release_Visitor Center Art DedicationCityofPort 250 Madison Street, Suite 2 1 Port Townsend, WA 98368 1360.379.5047 1 www.cityofpt.us
Townsends
ADMINISTRATION
Contact: Admin Department
Name: Kelly Graves, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (360) 379-5047
Email: kgraves@cityofpt.us
For Immediate Release — September 25, 2019
The City of Port Townsend will be hosting the Jaqua Sculpture Art Dedication on November 2"d.
The Jaqua sculpture titled "For Willene" will be installed on Wednesday, October 2, at the Visitor Center
Plaza, along Sims Way. The art dedication ceremony will take place at the same location November 2
at 4:00 p.m.
The Jaqua sculpture was created by artist -blacksmith Russell Jaqua and donated to the City by the artist's
wife. The sculpture's spiral form is based on the same motif as Jaqua's design for the City Hall Annex
railings that later became the basis of the City logo. A resident of Port Townsend from 1974 until his
death in 2006, Russell Jaqua was a pioneer in large-scale forged metal art.
In conjunction with the Dedication, Northwind Arts Center and Port Townsend School of the Arts are
co -sponsoring an exhibit of Jaqua's remaining metalwork, including sculpture and furniture never before
available for sale. Willene Jaqua McRae has donated all proceeds from the exhibit to the programs and
future planning of Northwind Arts Center and Port Townsend School of the Arts in honor of their
collaborative vision for our arts community. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, November 2 at
5:00 p.m. immediately following the dedication ceremony.
A screening of The Blacksmith Boondoggle: Making "For Willene," by Port Townsend videographer Jane
Champion, followed by a panel lecture titled Russell Jaqua and the New Iron Age of the American Craft
Movement, will take place on Sunday, November 3. Panel participants include Michael Bondi, renowned
Bay Area metal designer, award -winning Tucson, Arizona sculptor Fred Borcherdt, and Port Townsend
metalsmith Jim Garrett, owner of Garrett Metals and Nimba Anvils.
"The donation of this stunning sculpture to the Port Townsend public art collection is not only the perfect
expression of Russell and Willene Jaqua's commitment to art as a celebration of place but also of the City's
premise that public art animates civic dialogue and strengthens the very fabric of community. "
said Kris Morris, Chair of Arts Commission Public Arts Committee
Come share this celebration of collaborative spirit in our community and enjoy the newest piece of public
art in the City. You can see all the public art that is in the City on our website. www.cityofpt.us.
3117
41
l` f r•. it
�• .� . .. �-ir wr ,' f (. +API ,R' ��`r ~..�i{i.. ••� .'}K'.0 � . •,• i� � ,r .�, ��'�
� r
1
��' � j ,,�•/1i ,%fiJ'! y� :. ...,' ` • l 1 . odd 1 .. �1 } � (f v \`
�' ,(f
r
1k_;X
u
d
-.
ram•: ��
_ •
y, �Af. . r:
'�11