In 2002, UP for Art held an extremely successful art auction featuring the works of numerous local artists. The auction raised more than $14,000 to help pay for our first piece of public art, a life-size bronze sculpture Sharing created by John Jewell.UP for Art also facilitated two student public art projects during its first several years, followed by another art auction in 2004.
In 2005, UP for Art facilitated the acquisition of the Life Cycle of the Leach Creek Salmon, by LaVonne and George Hoivik. This bronze on wood piece details the stages of a salmon’s life and was placed on a city bridge over a rehabilitated salmon stream as part of the renovation effort.
In 2006, UP for Art partnered with the City of University Place to develop a Plan for Public Art. The project involved a survey to which over 270 residents replied, over 50 interviews with community leaders and regional partners, and numerous presentations to community groups and the City Council. The resulting plan, which required over 700 hours of volunteer effort, was adopted by the City Council in December of 2006.
In November 2006, the group was awarded the Margaret K. Williams, Jim Smith Award by the Pierce County Arts Commission for making a significant contribution in support of the arts. The honor included a beautiful bowl turned by nationally recognized wood artist Ted Bartholomew. The group donated the prize to the City’s public art collection.
In 2007, UP for Art dedicated The Eagles’ Nest, a bronze, stone, and vegetation piece created by Douglas Granum for the Drexler Drive/40th Street roundabout. Funds for this piece came from the 2004 art auction proceeds plus fundraising for the specific piece. This piece, which includes a water feature and takes up the entire roundabout, is the largest effort by the group to date. It is intended as a gateway piece for downtown redevelopment initiated by the City. In addition, a whimsical eight-foot slug that was also proposed for the roundabout was selected by the Friends of Homestead Park as a wonderful piece that children could play on in the park.
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