2010 Outdoor Sculpture Garden Exhibition at Maryhill Museum

On Saturday, May 15th,
Maryhill Museum hosted the opening of the annual outdoor sculpture garden exhibition which is open through October 3rd, 2010.

Museum curator Steve Grafe led the curatorial walk with artists and guests on another beautiful afternoon among the flowering trees of Maryhill. Recent works by Northwest artists Jess Kelly and Jesse Swickard joined artwork carried over from last year's popular exhibit which includes works by Matt Cartwright, Francisco Salgado, Julie Speidel, Jeff Tangen and Tom Herrera.

Sponsors Bill and Cathy Dickson from Seattle were present for the the exhibition opening as well as for the museum's Best of the West Annual Wine Auction that evening.

Visitors to the garden might miss some details of this whimsical sculpture because the structure stands over 8 feet tall. From a slight knoll, however, one can glimpse the beans, lettuce, cheese and tomato wedges inside the large taco shell. In order to prevent distress to the beautiful peacocks of Maryhill during the exhibition, the bell's clanger has been temporarily dismantled but the bell's rich tone is actually quite soothing.

      

In addition to the "Taco Bell", Tom's "Queen for A Day" bench is included in the museum's permanent collection. The bench, funded by the Arthur G. Dunn Guild of Seattle, was created in 2007. Tom was inspired by Queen Marie of Romania's furniture collection found in the museum. As functional art, the bench welcomes guests to relax and enjoy the sculptures and beauty of Maryhill. The "Queen for A Day" has been featured in many photographs taken of, and by, visiting guests and well as in paintings by Northwest painter Jerry Fenter. Jerry's work can be viewed at http://www.jerryfenter.com/
                    

 I missed the exhibition at the museum but my afternoon nap atop Tom's "Fly Fishing on the Hood" was filled with dreams of the irridescent green and blue peacocks of Maryhill.     BOB