It must be summer because 16 new sculptures are on display at Percival Landing
Sixteen new sculptures from local artists will be displayed across Percival Landing on Friday, marking the beginning of the annual Percival Plinth Project.
The project is part of an effort to support artists while creating energy and interest at Percival Landing, said Angel Nava, an arts program specialist at Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation. Participating artists receive an honorarium for their displayed work, which she said makes the process much more accessible.
“Creating work in a larger scale public capacity is really expensive and can be cost prohibitive,” Nava said. “So especially for emerging artists and artists entering the field of public art, this is a really great opportunity to display work on a short-term basis.”
The 16 sculptures were selected through a jury process based on several criteria, including technical aspects, quality and diversity of material.
Chosen sculptures are in contention for the 2023 People’s Choice Award. Between Friday and July 30, community members can vote online for their favorite sculpture. The city of Olympia purchases the winning sculpture with a prize of up to $10,000, and displays it permanently somewhere around the city.
Over the years, Nava said one of her favorite things about the project has been seeing the community interact with the various art pieces. Community members will bring gifts or leave flowers to show their appreciation for the artwork, she said.
“It’s really sweet to see that kind of engagement with the work and how it makes people feel,” she said. “The way it creates a sense of connection and belonging is really powerful.”
Visit www.olympiawa.gov/plinth for more information including an interactive web map and voting link. A Voting Kick-Off Event also is planned for 4-6 p.m. Friday at the Harbor House at Percival Landing, 325 Columbia St. NW, Olympia.
