Don’t be embarrassed if it takes you a while to find it.
The small bronze fox sculpture recently unveiled near Duck Bay is nestled away in the bushes, just off the walking path around the Lakeside soccer fields, and even a careful observer could stroll right past without realizing it’s there.
It’s called “Red Raider” and it’s one of six sculptures recently installed around Nelson — there are four on Baker Street and another welcomes visitors to city hall — but the crouched vulpine figure is unique in that it’s a permanent donation from Dr. Ken Muth, who originally saw it while taking in Castlegar’s Sculpturewalk.
And he likes the idea of it lurking there in the bushes.
“Right away when I saw it, I thought it would make a great addition to Lakeside,” Muth told the Star, noting it matches nicely with nearby bronze sculptures of a pointing boy and a osprey’s nest.
“It just seemed right to have him hiding there, just out of sight, the way a real fox might.”
And figuring out proper placement is a huge part of cultural development officer Joy Barrett’s job. She was on hand over the course of the past few weeks as crews installed “Red Raider” by American artist Del Pettigrew, as well as giant aluminum flowers near the entrance to Railtown, a twisted wooden gateway in front of city hall and a trio of pieces in the heart of downtown.
“Nelson has really embraced the rotating sculpture gallery in our downtown,” said Barrett.
“A partnership with Castlegar Sculpturewalk, its a very cost-effective way to increase public arts, and our streets now reflect what we already know — that Nelson is a creative and artistic community.”
All of the Baker Street pieces are by Kootenay artists — “Wind Suite #1” is by John McKinnon, “All Strings Attached” is by Kate Tupper and “White Sturgeon” is by Kevin Kratz. The flowers are by Victoria artist Illarion Gallant, and the wooden tunnel is by Argenta woodworkers Spring Shine, Christopher Petersen and Hans Winter.
“It’s an honour to showcase the amazing talent we have in our area,” said Barrett.
This project was an undertaking of the city’s Cultural Development Committee (CDC), which is “dedicated to the development, promotion and enhancement of Nelson’s art and culture sector.”
Will Johnson is the literary representative for the CDC.
