Exploring Mercer Island, one will find that it is filled with some very interesting landmarks that beg exploration. Allow me to introduce six:
Mythical Bird Artist: Dudley Carter, Pioneer Park
A mythological take with a modern spin, this sculpture combines Native American trickster figures Raven and Coyote with birds and classical female forms, seeming to depict the Native American power of four (for many tribes, four was a sacred number as it represented the four seasons and many other things).
Kenton’s Dragon Artist: Kenton Pies, Deane’s Park
For parents of small children, you can’t beat this - a 50-foot dragon that kids can play on and inside of! I’ve seen kids squeal with delight as soon as they see this boisterous beast for the first time. And whether they’re a dragon fighter or a dragon friend, the design of this magnificent creature lends itself well to hours of play. It was first created in the 1960s, but fell into disrepair over the decades, so the city contacted original creator Kenton Pies who built a new and improved dragon, which exists to this day!
Between Two Worlds Artist: Georgia Gerber, Mercer Island Library
Young children also get a kick out of this one for the fantastical element of the massive rabbit the boy is lounging against. Is this humungous bunny a familiar? A gargantuan pet? A character in the boy’s book? And what about the smaller bunny? Ultimately, artist Georgia Gerber likes to present an incomplete visual narrative in the hopes the viewers create their own story.
Gateway Figures Artist: Garth Edwards, Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery
Four steel figures resembling life-sized paper dolls stand at the entranceway of this park near the new Light Rail station. There’s an adult couple and a mother with her child, each displaying fanciful designs of birds or umbrellas (of course, it’s the Northwest) and bowties on their garb. They’re all there to greet you as you enter the Sculpture Gallery, so give them a hearty hello!
Orbits and Pieces Artist: NASA, Mercer Island Community and Event Center
I had to include this, considering we live so close to Jet City and flight is in our area’s blood. This is a sculpture made out of very unique found materials - two titanium tanks and three fuel lines and other surplus components originally engineered for the Apollo space missions. Dale William Cox Jr., a retired naval officer and 1959 Mercury astronaut candidate, bought the parts and his wife, an artist, crafted them into this compelling piece.
Call of the Wild Artist: Donald Riggs, Luther Burbank Park
Well, I mean, come on! Is he not a dapper fellow? All I can say is, looking at him makes me happy. There’s something about him that seems so ready to greet the day. And I think if you were to visit him, you’d be ready, too.
To find out more, explore https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/public-art
Terry Fleming has been a freelance writer for twenty-five years. He’s a published author, entertainment blogger, screenwriter and playwright. He resides on Mercer Island with his family and enjoys exploring the unique aspects of community art.