16 art sculptures approved for the Percival Plinth Project by the Olympia Arts Commission

The Olympia Arts Commission, on Thursday, February 9, approved the recommendation of 16 sculpture entries for the 2023 Percival Plinth Project.

Arts Program Specialist Angel Nava showed a sneak peek of the art pieces recommended by jurors who met on February 6 and selected artworks based on quality, safety requirements, and potential community engagement.

If the Olympia City Council approves, the art pieces will be displayed on outdoor plinths along Percival Landing.

Nava said these art pieces would be loaned to the city for up to one year, with $1,000 given to the artist of each loaned sculpture.

At least one sculpture may be chosen by the public to be purchased by the city for up to $10,000.

The chosen art piece/s will be displayed permanently in another public place.

The recommended 16 art pieces are:

• Daphnis by Don Anderson. Medium: stainless steel
• Addiction by Irene Osborn. Medium: Bronze
• Encircled in Cycles by Jennifer Kapnek. Medium: acrylic, wood, tree stump
• Blue by Jenny Ellsworth. Medium: semi-truck transmission gears
• The Chase by Ken Turner. Medium: stainless steel
• Intersecting Bodies by Ed McCarthy. Medium: painted steel
• A Song for Nurturing Peace by Nancy Thorne. Medium: Bronze
• Hero III by Don Anderson. Medium: stainless steel and painted base
• Rest by Jim Johnson. Medium: welded steel
• Luna by Jenny Ellsworth. Medium: steel propane ball from 1946
• Cresting by Ken Turner. Medium: stainless steel
• Joy by Jim Johnson. Medium: cast bronze and welded steel
• Steel Sketch by Ed McCarthy. Medium: painted steel
• Pierced Shell by Jon Kalin. Medium: glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)
• Early Morning Coffee by Dan Brown. Medium: Blue Star Roaster coffee hopper, propane tank, steel
• Roaming the Seas by Dan Brown. Medium: wagon wheel rim and carbon steel

According to Nava, each artist can submit two artworks, and sometimes both entries are recommended by the jury.

The commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation of 16 sculptures to the city council.