Reading+Man+(sculpture)

"Unveiling of art to mark Municipal Center dedication," //Washington County News Times//, Forest Grove, Ore., October 11, 1978 (Vol. 91, No. 17)

Forest Grove is becoming a better place to live with a reawakening though the arts, states Prof. Jan Shield, Pacific University artist.

He Explains that a project that began over a year ago with Valley Art Association as sponsoring agency comes close with the opening of the newly constructed City of Forest Grove Municipal Services Center at the public unveiling ceremonies Oct. 14 from 10 to 11:30 am.

Shield, a professor, painter, and sculptor, while serving on the board of directors of Valley Art, was approached with the idea of "Art in Public Places." He stated, "Valley Art needs to become an active participant in community involvement beyond its doors. The visual arts should be as visible in Forest Grove as the musical and theatrical events and performances. Art needs to be an everyday experience for people of all ages."

"We need art works which not only express our past or the technology of our time, but also the beauty of our region. Anyone who has traveled to small towns in Europe or to progressive cities in the United States can see how the arts have changed people's lives and in the long run the city's image itself and the guests it attracts."

Last year, after a discussion with the past president of Valley Art, Bill Avel, and other artists Shield developed a proposal for funding to employ three regional artists to create work through a Title VI, CETA Special Projects Grant.

A $21,000 grant was secured to pay the artists for their work. None of the money went to Valley Art of Shield as project supervisor. Cam Groner, CETA program director, authorized preliminary approval, and final authorization for a jury selection of the three artists was given by Joan Lintz, program director, at the Hillsboro CETA office. Out of seven applicants, three were chosen to begin work on designs in January and February, 1978.

Contracts were given to Dennis Stewart, Aloha sculptor, Linda Fitzgerald, Glenwood, weaver and fiber form artist, and Robert Weller, Pumpkin Ridge/Dixie Mountain, water color and acrylic painter.

Shield notes, "These artists' slide portfolios and experience resumes were exceptional, and the entire jury was extremely pleased with the quality of their work. During the following months the artists developed working drawings or models. After a progress review, work began on the completion. The project goals wand objectives have been achieved under a schedule of deadlines. Now the works have been permanently placed in the municipal complex and await the public encounter.

The paintings by Weller in the entry areas of the library, police, and fire station entice the viewer with a unifying of color development, composition, and detailed techniques. All are highly representational of the rich farm lands that surround Forest Grove.

The steam fire engine piece, located in the fire station, is very graphic in its isolation on a white ground. All Weller's works shed light on the depth and breadth of his experience of the land and its people, life-styles, and romance with reality...