Artwork copyright Craig Cundiff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2025.

Artwork copyright Craig Cundiff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2024.

Artwork copyright Craig Cundiff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2024.

Artwork copyright Craig Cundiff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2024.

Artwork copyright Craig Cundiff. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Yakima Valley Photography, 2024.

As It Was, 2024

Craig Cundiff
American (born 1985)

Location: Kamiakin High School, Kennewick

About the Artwork

As It Was by Craig Cundiff is inspired by the work led by biologists of the Yakama Nation to honor, protect, and restore culturally important habitats, and to protect the rights of Yakama Nation members to use these resources as reserved by them in the Treaty of 1855. The American White Pelican species has only one colony in Washington State, that lives and breeds on the islands of the Columbia River. Through conservation efforts of the Yakama Nation, their population has greatly increased over the last thirty years. This strategic work aims to find a harmonious balance between the populations of White Pelicans and Salmon so that both populations can thrive. This is also important for the Yakama Nation's goal to return the landscape to one that existed at the time of signing the treaties in the 1800s.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Kennewick School District.

About the Artist

Craig Cundiff is a South Seattle based artist known for his large-scale works of public art. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.