Client: Harvey Scott Elementary
Location: Portland, OR, United States
Completion date: 2018
Artwork budget: $6,000
Project Team
Other
Ben Hilder
Other
Alison Justice
Artist
Dave Gonzo
Dave Gonzo Sculpture
Other
Jim Schelifa
Overview
The wings are laser cut out in 3 pieces for each wing to get the color contrast, the bodies were shaped from 2-1/2″ pipe with the oxyacetylene torch with the head a 3″ sphere and welded up, sanded smooth and polished out for powder coating. The wings were bolted together and welded to the body. Her plaque was also laser cut out of copper which was then sealed in an epoxy resin and bolted on to the flat bar of the bench back. Assembly of her bench was done on sight and anchored to the concrete permanently.
Goals
The school wanted a place where students and teachers would have a place to sit to remember the joy and smiles that Grace brought to everyone who she interacted with. The goal of the design was to create something for Grace that represented who she was and the things that she loved most.
Process
The process for the design of Graces bench started with a meeting involving the school counselor, Alison (Graces mother) and myself. Alison shared with me what happened with Grace along with all of the things that she loved the most (butterflies, kombucha, dark blue, pink and purple). After a few iterations and a computer rendering which was colored Graces colors Alison loved the piece and signed off on the design.