The Arts
Fundraising Begins for Community Art Project
Artist's conception for stationmaster sculpture.
The Dayton Historical Depot Society and the Dayton Development Task Force have begun a joint effort to raise funds for a life-sized bronze sculpture of a stationmaster, to be placed on the northeast corner of the Dayton Depot boardwalk.
The design for the sculpture was created by local artist Keith McMasters, who will also cast and install the final piece. The stationmaster, dressed in authentic uniform from the early 1900s, will be looking down the track for the train, with his pocket watch in one hand and a train timetable in the other. His faithful companion will be at his side, sitting atop vintage luggage.
McMasters is a nationally recognized artist who has won many awards for his bronze sculptures. He is featured in the June 2009 issue of Western Art Collector magazine and currently has a solo show running at the Coeur d' Alene Galleries.
McMasters is offering a special hometown cost of $77,000 for the sculpture, which is considerably below market value. In the coming year, the Depot Society and the Task Force hope to raise the full cost of the sculpture. McMasters will begin work on the sculpture when one-third of the funds are raised. Efforts have begun, and the groups hope to reach the one-third mark by the end of July.
For more information on this community art project, or to make a donation, contact any Depot Society or Task Force board member, or call the Depot at (509) 382-2026.
Main Street Art in Waitsburg
Photos by Ken Graham
Two large spheres created by metal sculptor Bernard Hosey are on display this summer on Waitsburg's Main Street. Temporary placement of the art was approved by the Waitsburg City Council in May, and Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf says the display is expected to remain in Waitsburg until fall.
Hosey lives and creates his art in Twisp, Washington. His work has been exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in Manhattan, and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian. More of Bernard Hosey's metal spheres and other works can be seen on his website, www.bernardhosey.com.
"Once Upon a Mattress" is TVAC Productions' Fall Musical
Casting is complete for the Touchet Valley Arts Council (TVAC) Production's 2009 fall musical, "Once Upon a Mattress." TVAC Productions veteran Darla Anderson will direct a cast and orchestra of nearly 50 community members.
The original production of "Once Upon a Mattress" opened in 1959 and starred Carol Burnett in her Broadway debut in the role of Princess Winifred the Woebegone. The musical is a light-hearted takeoff of the well-known Hans Christian Andersen story, "The Princess and the Pea".
The lead cast members are: Richele Loney as Princess Winifred; Mark Franklin as Prince Dauntless the Drab; Kim Grimshaw as Queen Aggravaine; Steve Edwards as Kin Sextimus the Silent; Chuck Reeves as the Minstrel; Julia Mead as the Jester; Edith Dull as Lady Larken; Cougar Henderson as Sir Harry; Joe Heuther as the Wizard; Elizabeth Jagelski as Nightingale of Samarken; and Tyler Grimshaw as Test Princess No.12, Lady Elizabeth.
"Once Upon a Mattress" will open in Dayton's Liberty Theater in November. Visit www.libertytheater.org throughout the summer and fall for more information about show dates and ticket information.