Thursday, October 1, 2026
"Liberty Wept" by Christine Rose emerged as the 2026 People’s Choice Award winner of the Percival Plinth Project in Olympia.
The Olympia City Council approved the purchase of the sculpture at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, following a recommendation from the Olympia Arts Commission. The city council also opened the door to purchasing the runner-up if funds are available.
According to Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Arts Program Manager Stephanie Johnson, the public voting period ran from July 1 through July 31. A total 917 ballots were received, nearly 77% more than the 519 ballots cast in 2025.
"Liberty Wept" received 343 votes, while "Playful Sea Otter" by Steven Nagode finished second with 265 votes.
The Percival Plinth Project, which began in 2011, places sculptures selected by the Olympia Arts Commission on exhibition at Percival Landing.
Each year, community members can vote for their favorite work through the People’s Choice Award, and the city purchases the winning sculpture for its public art collection.
The 2026 sculptures were installed in late June, with 14 works displayed along the waterfront. "Liberty Wept," a reclaimed-metal sculpture by Rose, drew a lot of attention from visitors during the exhibition.
During the council discussion, Council member Kelly Green asked whether the city could also acquire the runner-up if funding allowed.
Johnson said staff would need to determine whether both works could be purchased within the existing budget. The budget for the Percival Plinth Project includes a $10,000 purchase price for the winning sculpture, in addition to related expenses.
Council member Clark Gilman supported exploring the possibility of adding "Playful Sea Otter" to the city collection.
The council approved Green’s motion to purchase "Liberty Wept," and if staff determine sufficient funds are available within the approved budget, pursue the purchase of Playful Sea Otter as well.
The winning sculpture is typically displayed at City Hall for one year before being relocated to another site in town.
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KatAshe
In the American we are currently living in, this was absolutely, the perfect choice. Thank you Christine Rose.
Thursday, September 17 Report this
TheVirtualOne
What a piece of garbage!
Thursday, September 17 Report this
CommonSenseSenior
Love it! Very creative. Look at it online not this photo, it is such a better photo and it is quite something-and online photo gives meaning from artist
Friday, September 18 Report this
Snevets
Agreed KatAshe!
Some really great entries this year.
Friday, September 18 Report this
KellyOReilly
I 100% agree with the choice of "Liberty Wept". This is an art piece that truly deserves to be on display in Olympia. Bravo!
Friday, September 18 Report this
Wilkie
Can the election results be announced sooner than a month and a half after voting ends? Electronic ballots should give immediate totals.
Friday, September 18 Report this
gypsydjango
Agree with KatAshe, excellent choice! There were so many great pieces this year, glad to see how many more folks voted too. (Virtual, you aren't:-)
Saturday, September 19 Report this
CobraCommander
Accurate and timely. The cult members of MAGA will never understand, even as their ranches and farms being foreclosed at record rates and their livelihoods disappear under the ego of one man.
Original design is from a gouache piece by artist Gee Vaucher.
Saturday, September 19 Report this
Southsoundguy
Hot garbage
Monday, September 21 Report this
Somney
I agree with the choice. Art should reflect what is happening at the time it is installed and I feel this is apropos.
3 days ago Report this