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‘The Seeking Place’ aluminum structure selected as next piece of Riverfront Park art

An artist’s rendering of “The Seeking Place,” a proposed piece of art for Riverfront Park by Sarah Thompson Moore, of Coeur d’Alene. The basalt columns would be made of custom aluminum treated to avoid deterioration and allow for reflection of nearby light. (Sarah Thompson Moore)
By Kip Hill kiph@spokesman.com(509) 459-5429

A Coeur d’Alene artist has won the contract to build the next piece of publicly funded art in Riverfront Park.

The full Spokane Park Board voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to approve Sarah Thompson Moore’s “The Seeking Place” design for installation in the downtown park. The vote ends a controversy that began this spring, when representatives of the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the public expressed concern about a proposed beaver statue that had won the preference of another review panel.

Jamie SiJohn, a former Park Board member as well as a member of the Spokane Tribe, thanked officials for working with them on their concerns about the Salish name proposed for the statue without their involvement. SiJohn expressed an interest in working with Saya Moriyasu, the Seattle artist who offered the beaver design, on another project in Riverfront Park.

“I just wanted to thank everybody involved for listening, and letting us participate,” SiJohn said.

The $85,000 aluminum structure – designed to honor the basalt rock formations seen throughout the Inland Northwest – is intended to be installed in the park next year. Funding for the project is coming from a 1% portion of the park’s $64 million redevelopment fund set aside for public art as required by city ordinance.