The City of Maple Valley is excited to announce new artwork has been installed along the retaining wall on State Route 169 across from the Wilderness Village Shopping Center.
The installation of the metal art pieces concludes the nearly two-year project. The art features four medallions showcasing Mount Rainier, an elk, hummingbird and a trout surrounded by leaves and swallows.
“This wall called for something, it needed something on it,” Brenda Chrystie, an alternate representative for the Commission, said.
After a robust selection process the Maple Valley Public Arts Commission and City staff narrowed it down to three artists and ultimately chose to work with Adam McIsaac.
“The Commissioners selected McIsaac because they felt his work was a great fit for Maple Valley, Chrystie said. His design spoke to the City’s new logo and tagline ‘A Natural Fit’ without replicating it”, she added.
“It was important that the images chosen for the medallions reflected iconic Maple Valley events and places including Lake Wilderness, Cedar River, the arboretum, elk herd, the fishing derby and Mount Rainier”, Chrystie said.
The Commission began working with McIsaac toward the end of 2020 and due to the pandemic and supply chain issues, fabrication and installation took longer than expected.
Design, production and installation cost for this project was $80,000. Funding for the work came from the Municipal Arts Fund.
“The images are his work, his drawings brought to life,” Chrystie said.
If interested in learning more about the Public Arts Commission and their role in the City, visit https://www.maplevalleywa.gov/city-government/citizen-boards-commissions-and-committees/public-arts-commission
Original source can be found here.