Fluke

Check out the beautiful new sculpture in town when you can. “Fluke” by local artist Micajah Bienvenu, was just installed Thursday morning on the rock outcropping just across from the ferry lanes. If you can’t get down there anytime soon, click on these photos. And be sure to read the Press Release from the Town below:

“Fluke” by Micajah Bienvenu – Click for larger view

“Fluke” by Micajah Bienvenu – Click for larger view

“Fluke” by Micajah Bienvenu – Click for larger view

Town of Friday Harbor completes purchase of public art

The Town of Friday Harbor is proud to announce that it has completed the purchase of a piece of public art that will be installed the week of January 7th near the ferry lanes at the corner of First and “A” Streets.

The sculpture, entitled “Fluke,” a work by local artist Micajah Bienvenu, has been on display at Roche Harbor over the last year. A polished aluminum representation of a whale tail, Fluke will take up its permanent residence atop the rock outcropping on the southwest corner of the busy intersection.

The Town’s purchase of the sculpture was made possible by generous donations from 31 different local residents and businesses, providing the means to both buy and install the art. Bienvenu had received offers from other communities in the northwest to purchase the work, but opted to sell it to the Town at a discounted price to ensure it would stay in his hometown.

Local resident Lori Stokes led the effort to raise the $25,000 purchase price. “I can’t thank Lori enough for her efforts on behalf of the Town” said Mayor Carrie Lacher. “She and the other contributors have provided us with a world-class statue that celebrates the natural assets we enjoy on San Juan Island. I want to thank everyone involved with this wonderful gift to our community.”

After the installation is complete, the Town will schedule a ribbon cutting ceremony at which time the art will be formally dedicated. The public is welcome to attend the event, to be held in mid to late January.

“Fluke” weighs 180 pounds and has dimensions of 4 feet in height, 12 feet in width and 8 feet in depth. Sculptor Micajah Bienvenu resides and maintains his shop on Mount Dallas Road on San Juan Island. He has a number of works currently displayed at Roche Harbor and was the artist who produced the piece entitled “Dancing Fool” outside the front entrance of San Juan Community Theatre in Friday Harbor. Mr. Bienvenu also has publicly commissioned pieces in Coral Springs, Florida; Portland, Oregon; and in the cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Walla Walla, Richland and Deer Park in the State of Washington.

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