Art selected for Silver Box program

SANDPOINT — The Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission mounted the first of three sculptures approved for their “Silver Box Program” on Wednesday.

“At River’s Edge,” by Bonners Ferry artist Anna Lee Harris, was secured at the box on Oak Street and Fifth Avenue.

The base features hand painted fish, upcycled metal, below three Idaho rocks, a slab of Washington basalt, and an otter carved out of European granite. A bird is positioned above the base.

“Sandpoint really did inspire this piece,” Harris said.

The Sandpoint osprey webcams and a story about an otter in the Daily Bee sparked the idea for the sculpture, she said. The piece has been five years in the making, though she hasn’t been perpetually immersed in the project during that time.

Harris’s father was a taxidermist and inspired her first antler carving projects. She eventually joined a snow carving team in Bonners Ferry that represented the United States in a national competition in Winnipeg, Canada. After experimentation, she found that her preferred medium was stone, which she’s been carving for over 35 years.

The Art on Loan Silver Box Program is a rotating art exhibit founded by the ACHP Commission. Chosen artwork is displayed in strategic downtown locations for about a year on special "boxes" installed in November of 2018.

Heather Upton, Arts and Historic Preservation officer, presented each of the three sculptures to the Sandpoint City Council at their last meeting. The approved pieces include "At River’s Edge,” “The Spirit Tree," and "Natural Wavelength.”

“The Spirit Tree,” designed by Dave Gonzo, a Sandpoint artist, will be featured at Fourth Avenue and Oak Street and is expected to be displayed next week. The tree was inspired by the balance of masculine and feminine in melding copper and steel.

“The steel represents the strength and fortitude of the roots, trunk and branches,” Gonzo said in his statement. “While the copper foliage embodies the flexibility, protection and healing elements.”

Gonzo has been working with metal for over 26 years. He challenges himself to find new approaches to metal manipulation.

“I like to see how far I can push steel,” Gonzo said. “I like to see if I can make it do what it’s not supposed to do.”

For his sculpture which took about 3 months to create, Gonzo said he started with heating, twisting, and manipulating cut pipes. He packed it with sand to solidify shape, and then worked with welding and grinding until he achieved the piece he envisioned.

“Natural Wavelength” was created by Ursula Roma, an artist from Cincinnati. This abstract piece made out of powder coated steel will be featured at Fourth Avenue and Church Street. “Natural Wavelength.”

The city received 16 eligible submissions from across the country, with six meeting the criteria and three being recommended to the council. Each artist whose work is displayed will be given a $1,000 honorarium to cover travel and installation costs.

Each piece available for purchase, with the city retaining a 10% commission from the sale.

“The Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation Commission and I are excited to see the Silver Boxes filled with new art from such wonderful artists,” Upton said. “This program is a creative way that brings great vibrancy to downtown while broadening exposure for artists.”