WHS graduate is involved in fish fundraiser

Donations toward artwork created by a former local resident will enable the Port of Camas-Washougal to install additional art pieces along a waterfront trail.

The trail and park, which is expected to break ground within the next few months, will include part of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site, at 335 S. “A” St., Washougal.

A prototype of a salmon-shaped piece of stainless steel, created by Malo Hasselblad, is available to view at the port office, 24 S. “A” St., Washougal.

Each plaque, measuring 14 inches in length and 7.5 inches in width, will offer space for 50 characters. Donations of $250 per fish will be accepted.

Hasselblad, a 1997 Washougal High School graduate, studied welding technology at Clark College.

Now a professional fabricator, he hopes his art will generate interest in the waterfront trail project and attract visitors to the area.

Each plaque will be embedded into the trail or a wall along the trail.

“It’s not really a particular species of salmon,” Hasselblad said. “I want to leave it up to people’s interpretation. That’s the best way to do it.

“The only uniform parts of the fish will be the silhouette form,” he added. “The small amount of detail is designed that way to be rigid and durable. The engraving will be uniform, by a computer operated engraving machine. The finished work — spots and color — will be done by hand individually. Each will be just slightly different, which makes it fun.”

Hasselblad, 36, now lives in Battle Ground.

For more information about the trail art or to make a donation, contact Angelina Aiello, community relations specialist for the port, at 335-3676 or Angelina@portcw.com. Order forms are available at www.portcw.com.

Waterfront committees make progress

The salmon art project is a result of local residents serving on several waterfront committees and meeting with port staff, architects with BergerABAM, and Dan Miller, a community planner with the National Park Service.

“The latest idea to come from this group is an opportunity to have one’s family name or special message become part of the project design while also supporting future art along the trail,” said Kim Noah, port finance director and committee organizer.

Construction of the waterfront trail and park is expected to begin in June and be completed in October.

The project is expected to include a boulder that traveled from Canada on a glacier to this area in the Missoula Floods.

Aiello has created a Facebook page for the boulder that could be a mascot for the waterfront trail project. It is www.facebook.com/erric.erratic.