Bronze Statue, 6′ tall x 8′ wide x 4′ deep

The larger than life sculptural tribute to J. P. Patches and Gertrude, two of Seattle’s longest-running local children’s TV show program, airing 1958 to 1982 and KIRO TV first live broadcast, marking the shows 50th anniversary. The sculpture’s design expresses the exuberant zany nature of the show and plays off of a very well known local landmark ‘Waiting for the Interurban’ by Richard Beyer located 200 feet west of the tribute. The sculpture has numerous puns and references to the show’s history. The comic elements include the two figures racing in opposite directions to catch the bus no longer in existence. J. P.’s jacket lapels were adapted to allow for the public to hang buttons of their choosing as part of the sculpture’s statement. An independent element of the sculpture is the ICU2TV located 12 feet from the figures. This sculpture allows the audience to participate in the interaction with the figures where the 2 can be on ‘TV’ a be part of the fun. This element also gives a brief history of the program, those who made the project possible and serves as a collection station for donations to Children’s Hospital, a favorite charity of the show’s stars.

Dimensions variable

The Water Mover (guard rail) Installed: 2008, Lead Artist: Jenny Heishman The Water Mover serves as a guardrail, keeping visitors from falling down the natural embankment just past the man-made amphitheater space. This piece generated controversy when installed. Neighborhood lobbyists found funding for this work within the City of Seattle, and expected a Fremont artist to be given the commission. Instead, a public process – and a jury with neighborhood representatives on it – selected this piece. Many see the piece as cold and too industrial, while others enjoy the solid look and kinetic esthetic of the piece. Location: In A. B. Ernst (Slippery Slope) Park. Commissioned by the City of Seattle, publicly sited sculpture.

Metal

Jean Whitesavage also created two freestanding, interactive view frames. One stands near North 34th Street, alongside Blue Moon Burgers (in 2012). The other, located beneath the Aurora Bridge, has its own brick clearing. Both frame views of Lake Union, and allow visitors to create their own picture – of the lake or loved ones that pose in the frame. In 1991 Nick and Jean moved from New York State to Seattle, Washington, where they began to collaborate together on sculptural art projects. They work primarily in hand-forged steel, incorporating traditional blacksmithing methods with modern steel fabrication techniques to create their sculpture. Nick and Jean’s public artwork is always designed for a specific site. They often design work that is integrated directly into functional elements of a public space. They have completed more than twenty-five public art commissions and countless private projects. For several recent commissions, they have returned to their roots as painters, creating works in stained glass, porcelain enamel, and hand-painted steel.