‘Island Spirit’ sculpture returns to Pioneer Way

The bronze statue had been missing since late 2019 when it was taken out in an accident.

“Island Spirit” has finally returned.

The bronze statue of a Native American man holding two salmon had been missing from Southeast Pioneer Way since late 2019 when it was taken out in an accident.

City staff re-installed the art on Wednesday, according to City Archaeologist Gideon Cauffman.

Wayne Lewis, the artist who donated the three-foot tall sculpture to the city in 2014, said that the art was out for repairs following a car crash in 2019.

A woman had a medical episode while driving downtown. The car struck the sculpture on the sidewalk, crashed through a fence, rolled over and fell to the parking lot below, landing on its roof. The 65-year-old woman suffered only minor injuries.

The sculpture, on the other hand, lost an arm. Lewis said the person who did the repair work was delayed because of a family situation. He is happy that the art is back where it belongs.

“Good to have my friend back,” Lewis said.

Tags: