Culture

Stroll Puyallup's Outdoor Art Gallery for Creative Inspiration and Education

Bruce Holmes created this sculpture, titled Sarah’s Song, which is located in Pioneer Park.

While a statue on the courthouse square might be the extent of public artwork in many towns the size of Puyallup‚ that’s far from the case here. Never one to do things by half-measures‚ the city is home to more than 60 works of public art strategically placed throughout its downtown.

It all started in 1995‚ when Valley Arts United‚ a non-profit association that promotes a wide array of arts and arts organizations‚ began looking at sculpture gardens and tours in other cities. The idea was to start a similar program in Puyallup‚ bringing art outside and creating visual appeal downtown. Arts Downtown was formed to create a collection of outdoor art‚ and the gallery has grown to include more than 60 works – 32 of which are permanent due to the organization’s annual purchase of at least one sculpture. The remaining number is removed after being on display for one year‚ at which time new installations are placed.

A walking tour and brochure maps the entire collection‚ allowing residents and visitors alike the opportunity to see the exhibit either all at once‚ or as they’re able. Video/DVD presentations of the gallery are available as well.

A key component of the program is that while some of the art stays‚ there are new pieces installed every April‚ says Rosemary Eckerson‚ a member of Valley Arts United and former program chair for the downtown program.

“We like the idea of it being rotating‚ not always the same‚ so there’s always new art to see‚” Eckerson says.

Over a year’s time‚ the community votes on its favorite piece‚ which is then purchased by the arts organization and given to the city. Often a business or other organization purchases a piece as well‚ which has allowed the permanent collection to grow quickly.

Almost from the outset‚ Eckerson knew the program would succeed‚ she says.

“You know something’s going to happen when everything goes right‚ and that was the case here – there were no roadblocks put in our way‚” she says. “I was at a conference and heard someone talking about an outdoor art program in Wenatchee‚ and went there to see it just as they were finishing their first year. They opened their files to me‚ so we had contracts‚ procedures‚ everything to go from. Then a gentleman from Knoxville‚ Tenn.‚ came here to visit his family‚ and he gave us pointers about mounting the art‚ securing the bases – a lot of good‚ practical information.”

The program has a number of positive effects on the downtown area in addition to providing visual appeal‚ says David Eatwell‚ executive director of the Puyallup Main Street Association.

“A well-done outdoor art program provides an amenity to the community in that it elevates its image‚” Eatwell says. “It brings people from the outside in‚ and lends credibility to local programs in the eyes of the residents. There’s a halo effect; if people read about it in the newspaper or see it on television‚ then it elevates their perception of the local community‚ and they feel good about living and working in the area.”

It helps the downtown especially‚ he adds‚ because it refocuses the community’s attention on the central historic business district‚ an area historically associated with performing and fine arts.

“People love the idea‚ and we have a lot of volunteers.

That makes it a much more vibrant program‚” Eckerson says. “And we’re not done: I’ve seen other programs like this with more than 80 sculptures‚ so we’ve got a lot of growth potential.”

Story by Joe Morris
Photo by Michael W. Bunch

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