What an incredible example of art as a collective endeavor of passion and collaboration. The power of art connecting us was demonstrated during a poignant sunset gathering celebrating all the people who made the installation of breathtaking Huru, by internationally renowed American sculptor, Mark di Suvero possible, at the fledgling Petaluma River Park on the McNear Peninsula, in the heart of Petaluma, Sonoma County, this October (2023).
Seeing majestic and graceful Huru (An Australian Aboriginal word for hello and goodbye) extend its monumental arms ever-so-slowly in the evening light as a welcome to the River Park and Petaluma is a moving experience in itself. I was captivated and pleased to learn that this 38-foot-tall, 12,000 pound tower of public art is capable of withstanding the most powerful wind gusts and a Magnitude 10 earthquake — so firmly is it anchored to its indefinite home at the gateway to Sonoma County.
Its generous loan by the McKegney Family, in remembrance of the late & much loved Lowell McKegney, studio director and longtime friend of lauded sculptor, di Suvero, is a full-circle moment in the anchoring of ties that interconnect our community here in Petaluma. Lowell, who passed away in 2011, was gifted the giant, steel structure by the sculptor during his longtime career traveling the world on installations, most notably, locally, in San Francisco, in a Crissy Field Exhibit of eight structures that stood in view of the Golden Gate Bridge from May 2013 too 2014.
Di Suvero's west coast yard has been discreetly located in Petaluma for decades. In more recent years, locals have become accustomed to all kinds of weird and wonderful, large-scale Burning Man art structures popping up in storage yards around town, a continuation of the large-scale expressions of art that have been created in di Suvero's tucked-away corner of the community, for so long now.
Carol and family have been searching for the perfect spot for Huru since the Chrissy Field exhibit wrapped in 2014. The McKegneys were my neighbors in the late 1990s and our families have remained close ever since. I picture Lowell as I write, unassuming and gentle, undoubtedly pleased by Huru's placement and his family's loving dedication to his legacy and memory.
Petaluma River Park is a 24 acre natural refuge within the city. Non-profit, Petaluma River Park Foundation is on a mission to restore our riverfront habitat and transform it into a vibrant, welcoming public park that unifies our community for generations to come. While the park is already open daily with a rudimentary pathway and picnic tables for all to enjoy, the non-profit is working tirelessly to transform this rare space into a vibrant and healthy riverfront park. With support from the CA State Coastal Conservancy, the non-profit and its hard working and visionary volunteers are working with our community to develop the final park plan with a goal of completion by 2028.
The Petaluma River Park Foundation has assembled a stellar Board of Directors, drawing on local talent in the arts, ecology, place-making, community engagement, strategic planning, fundraising, and operations. Seair Lorentz has been Executive Director of the Petaluma River Park Foundation since 2021. She was born and raised in Petaluma and is one of the original founders, visionaries, and volunteer developers of the project to purchase McNear Peninsula and transform it into a community park. Her husband, Sean Paul Lorentz is di Suvero's current Studio Manager, following in the footsteps of Lowell McKegney and is a founder and board member of the river park, completing the circle with overseeing Huru's return.
A six-person team expected the installation to last for days, but, remarkably, it proved surprisingly straight forward , despite its magnitude, as if it was waiting to come home. Funds for hauling Huru to the park, assembly by professional welders and putting it back together with the help of a 70-ton crane were donated entirely by community members and grants from Creative Sonoma and The National Endowment for the Arts.
Looking around the crowd at the evening gathering, it was wonderful to witness the interconnectdness of Petalumans, coupled with the energy infusion of art and open space lovers who are relative newcomers to the city.
I can't wait to see and be a part of the future development of the park over the next few years. Under Huru's mighty watch, we're in good hands.
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