Oregon artist chosen for local school art

Lucinda Parker, an abstract artist from Oregon, has been commissioned to produce $75,000 worth of artwork for the new school complex.

Parker was one of scores of artists recommended to a local committee by the Washington State Art Commission.

The $75,000 project is required as part of the public building/art program and is administered by the state art commission.

Nate Piturachsatit outlined the local committee’s selection to Grand Coulee Dam School District directors Monday night and indicated that dozens of artists were considered before Parker was selected.

The abstract artist plans a visit to the area in February to get a feel of the school and its surroundings before she designs the project.

The local committee is made up of Piturachsatit, Lori Adkins, Shelley Black, Lisa Carlson and Susan Duclos.

Piturachsatit told the board they hope that Parker can do several small pieces to tie the school together with her art.

But after pictures of a number of Parker’s abstract projects were circulated, Director Ted Piccolo said, “Would someone explain abstract art to me?”

Maybe Parker summed it up best when she stated in one interview that a person shouldn’t try to explain abstract art but measure it by how it makes you feel.

Also, Piturachsatit stated, Virgil “Smoker” Marchand, a local artist, has been invited to develop a piece of his sculptured metal art for someplace in front of the building at a cost of $10,000.

Marchand created the “Women Digging Roots” sculptures north of Belvedere, the “Sasquatch” sculpture on Disautel Pass, and a “Ram Sheep” sculpture overlooking Omak Lake.