ART IN FRIDAY HARBOR

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Portals of Welcome installed

Stories about house posts

$5K needed to complete "Interaction"

posted 05/27/04
Another $5,000 and a large cedar log will finish the house posts display at the Port of Friday Harbor. The sculpture, "Interaction," was unveiled Saturday, May 22, 2004. Peter Kilpatrick is looking for a large cedar log to split to finish the backs of the posts. Plaques, explaining the meaning of the piece and providing information about artist Susan Point, will be added to the display. Another plaque will relate the history of the Salish people in the San Juans.

Barbara Marrett said, "The plaques will complete our mission of making "Interaction" an educational attraction as well as a tribute to the Coast Salish and advocate for environmental stewardship."

Donations can be sent to:

Portals of Welcome Project
585 Smugglers Cove Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

"Interaction" dedicated

Story by Sharon Kivisto
Photos by Matt Pranger

Descendants of the Mitchell Bay band applauded as artist Susan Point (second from right) was introduced.

posted 05/24/04
A two-and-a-half year campaign ended Saturday with the dedication at the Port of Friday Harbor of "Interaction" by Coast Salish artist Susan Point. The houseposts are a symbol of welcome and an acknowledgement of the Native presence in the San Juan Islands.

According to the program:

"Interaction" is dedicated to welcoming all to work together in the stewardship of our precious marine ecosystem. Working together we can help to restore it for future generations. These Coast Salish house posts also serve as an acknowledgement of the thousands of years of Native presence in the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea.

Point's son, Thomas Cannell (pictured above) and others cut the ropes to unveil the posts. Thomas and his sister, Kelly, helped their mother paint the house posts.

The crowd applauded as they got their first look at the house posts.

Leisha Holmes and her son took a close look at the colorful artwork.

Charles Settles visited with anthropologist Wayne Suttles. Marrett thanks Suttles for sharing his passion and knowledge.

Barbara Marrett relaxed after seeing the project through to completion.

More than 100 people gathered to watch the unveiling of the 17-foot tall posts. The red cedar posts with copper, bronze and silver are connected with a 15-foot long crossbeam. Point, who is a member of the Musqueum Tribe, sought the blessing of the local bands before the house posts were installed. The Lummi, Swinomish, Samish and Mitchell Bay tribes agreed the posts symbolically represent the Native presence in the islands.

The Portals of Welcome project was started when Karen Westrell saw the house posts at Point's studio in Vancouver, B.C. Barbara Marrett and Lee Brooks led the group which managed to raise more than $60,000 for the purchase and installation of the artwork.

The Town of Friday Harbor contributed $13,000 of hotel/motel tax revenue to the project. The Port of Friday Harbor contributed the site. The program listed more than 250 people and businesses which helped with the project. Another $5,000 is still needed. Donations can be sent to:

Portals of Welcome Project
585 Smugglers Cove Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Island Concrete, GEM Welding, Ravenhill Construction, and EDC Cranes contributed labor and materials for the installation of the posts. The posts are welded to metal posts set in concrete.

Port of Friday Harbor Commissioner Brian Calvert noted the "monumental effort" on the part of Brooks and Marrett to make the project succeed.

San Juan County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen said having the posts in Friday Harbor is a "great, great honor" and seeing them "made my heart skip a beat."

Lee Brooks watched the crowds enjoy the artwork.

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