Sea to Sky

Location:

 

Sea to Sky (sculpture)

 

North entrance to the Natural Resources Building parking garage

Description:

  • Artist- Susan A. Point (born 1952)
  • Endorsing Entities- Washington State Arts Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, State Capitol Committee.
  • Installation Date- August 5, 1993
  • Materials- stainless steel, glass
  • Inscriptions- 'Sea to Sky, by Susan A. Point, August 5, 1993. Washington State Arts Commission Arts in Public Places Program in Partnership with: Department of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, Department of Natural Resources.'

History & significance:

This piece located above the north parking entry to the Natural Resources Building was made possible through the Arts in Public Places Program. This program, also referred to as the Percent for the Arts Program, is based upon RCW 43.17.200, enacted in July, 1974, which mandates that 'out of any moneys appropriated for the original construction of any public building, an amount of one-half of one percent of the appropriation be expended by the Washington State Arts Commission for the acquisition of works of art.' Thus, when the Natural Resources Building was constructed on the East Capitol Campus in the early 1990’s, funds were set aside for art pieces to adorn the interior and exterior of the structure, including Sea to Sky by Susan A. Point.

Point, a Native American artist who currently resides in Vancouver, BC, is well known for her work in traditional Coast Salish art, as well as experimental contemporary designs. Through her work, she strives to educate people about the nearly lost art of the Coastal Salish tribes. The historical oversight of her people’s work is owing, Point believes, to the fact that their lands were the first in the Northwest to be settled by Europeans, upsetting the Salish traditional lifestyle well before other area tribes suffered such a fate.

Much of Point’s earliest work is very traditional in nature, but her more recent pieces have explored contemporary themes, including gender conditioning and social issues. She is currently producing public art in a variety of media including wood, glass, and stainless steel. Her works can be found in private and public locations in over 20 countries.