Art in Public Places - White Bluffs Elementary School

In late February, artist Garth Edwards installed Paradise, a multi-element installation on the central stairwell wall of White Bluffs Elementary in Richland. Utilizing textured aluminum, Edwards created a relief “drawing” of the earth, sky, flora and fauna (real and fantastical) of the Columbia basin region. The imagery is meant to inspire wonder and imagination.

Paradise (detail), Garth Edwards, 2009. Photo by the artist.

The local art selection committee at White Bluffs met over several months, beginning in December, 2007. The committee established criteria that included the environment, the history of the area, whimsy, and education.

Garth Edwards’ playful sculptures are integrated into scores of buildings and parks throughout Washington and the United States. In 1991-93 he served on the design team for the Seattle Children’s Theater. He lives and works on Bainbridge Island.

Artwork acquired through Washington State’s Art in Public Places Program becomes part of the State Art Collection - a collection of over 4,600 works of art located at state agencies, public schools, colleges and universities throughout the state.