Sculpture symbolizes spirit

The campanile at Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal has a whole new look, designed to celebrate the history and natural beauty of the area and foster a sense of community.

The Washougal Art and Culture Alliance will host a celebration at 3 p.m. Saturday to dedicate Washougal’s newest piece of public artwork, the Two Rivers Heritage Sculpture, created by Vancouver artist Sharon Agnor. The artwork, which was installed onto the campanile earlier this year, will serve as “an inspiring landmark in downtown Washougal,” according to the alliance.

“To me, it symbolizes the creative spirit alive in Washougal today and the history that got us to this point,” said Kathy Huntington, a member of the alliance’s board. “I hope it proves to be a catalyst, leading to a growing recognition of Washougal’s promise and ushering in a new wave of artistic and civic involvement in our city.”

The metal and glass sculpture depicts key events from Washougal’s history and displays the city’s location near the confluence of the Washougal and Columbia rivers.

“I think Sharon did a masterful job,” Huntington said. “The eye-catching and beautiful depiction of the rivers in silver and shades of resplendent blue, the sense of movement of the water, and the way the sculpture links residents to a clear sense of place by capturing the path of the Washougal River and Lacamas Creek merging to flow into the Columbia River all combine to create a stunning and engaging work of art.”

Agnor, who began work in the fall of 2024, received assistance from Two Rivers Heritage Museum volunteers, Chinook Indian Nation Vice Chairman Sam Robinson, city of Washougal public works operations Superintendent Ryan Baker, and Vancouver Sign Co. to complete the artwork.

“The scale of this project is the largest I have done,” Agnor said. “My hope is that it adds to the culture of the community of Washougal. Perhaps people who download the QR code and walk around the tower and read about these historical moments will be as surprised as I was about all that took place here.”

The celebration, which will follow the city of Washougal’s annual Washougal Pumpkin Harvest Festival event, will feature speeches, live music, cultural displays, family-friendly activities, and a silent auction, in which attendees can bid on a fused glass artwork piece by Agnor depicting Mount Hood and the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge.

The Washougal Art and Culture Alliance announced its intentions in 2023 to “add a significant piece of public art” to the campanile “that will create an inspiring focal point in the heart of our city, reflect the history and culture of Washougal, and capture the spirit of the city in the present and its aspirations for the future,” according to a project proposal.

The nonprofit organization sent out request-for-proposals in January 2024 and chose Agnor’s project five months later.

“I hope it is an example of the capability we have as a small city to take on significant projects and bring them to life, and an example of the respect for the value of the creative arts and the richness they bring to our community,” Huntington said.

The Washougal Art and Culture Alliance requested and received $10,000 from the city of Washougal’s arts commission and launched a fundraiser that collected $88,000, support that has “brought the sculpture to life and ensured that downtown Washougal will have a lasting work of art honoring the city’s history and sense of place,” according to a news release.

“I do want people to appreciate the effort that Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance put forth, having a vision for promoting and educating us about the history here,” Agnor said. “They worked very hard to raise private funds for this project, and all the donors deserve a ‘thank you’ for being a part of this. I appreciate being a part of a project that tells a story that is still being written.”

The campanile stands as a symbol of Washougal’s original 1882 town well and pump, which “symbolized progress for a growing community and became a favorite social gathering place,” according to the Washougal Art and Culture Alliance.

Proceeds from the silent auction will support WACA’s general fund. Bidding is now open at go.rallyup.com/ccc13e/Campaign/Details.

Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; [email protected]