Partnership with Methow Arts

Celebrating Local Rivers with Public Art

Vintage cars along the bank of the Methow River

Salmon image cut from the hood of a vintage Plymouth

 

 

 

 

 


Fish cut from the hood of a 1951 Plymouth coupe
Art work by Dan Brown and Barry Stromberger

In late January 2012, Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation and Methow Arts Alliance held an event at Confluence Gallery to celebrate local rivers and public art.

The event included a silent auction of salmon-shaped metal art sculpture created by local artists Barry Stromberger and Dan Brown. The pieces were cut from vintage cars placed as "Detroit Riprap" along the bank of the Methow River in the mid-twentieth century.

The art project was a collaborative effort between MSRF and Methow Arts Alliance to raise awareness of the importance of healthy riparian areas to salmon recovery. All proceeds went towards the Community Trails and Public Art project.

The car art "donor" vehicles remain on the riverbank as a reminder of habitat restoration opportunities and needs. See the gallery below for pictures of this unique art project on the bank of the Methow River:

 

  • The artists used a boat to bring in the cutting torch The artists used a boat to bring in the cutting torch
  • Dan Brown sketches a fish on the side of a car Dan Brown sketches a fish on the side of a car
  • Barry Stromberger cuts a fish out of a car Barry Stromberger cuts a fish out of a car
  • Negative space fish remains in the yellow Plymouth coupe Negative space fish remains in the yellow Plymouth coupe
  • John Crandall holds up a Pacific Lamprey cut from a vintage car John Crandall holds up a Pacific Lamprey cut from a vintage car
  • A salmon "swims" out of the roof of a vintage car A salmon "swims" out of the roof of a vintage car
  • Dan Brown puts finishing touches on the yellow fish piece Dan Brown puts finishing touches on the yellow fish piece
  • Art from the project is on display at the MSRF Twisp Ponds on Twisp River Road Art from the project is on display at the MSRF Twisp Ponds on Twisp River Road



Winning Art Piece by Dan Brown Art work by Dan Brown

Public Art Pieces Selected
Community Trails and Public Art Project

MSRF and Methow Arts Alliance have selected four public art pieces for installation at the Twisp Ponds restoration site. Pieces were installed during the winter and spring of 2012.

The art is intended to enhance fish restoration efforts on a trail system linking the community to educational efforts and public access.

Visit Methow Valley Arts for more information and to see a slideshow of the selected pieces.