Vancouver gets donation of Columbia River artwork excluded from PDX expansion

VANCOUVER — The Port of Portland recently donated four sculptures by nationally recognized artist Larry Kirkland to the city of Vancouver, which plans to place them in various locations. Vancouver City Council voted to accept the donation on May 24. The sculptures are part of a larger installation celebrating the Columbia River called “The Columbia” that has been housed at Portland International Airport since 2001. A planned expansion at the airport would exclude the pieces. The large artworks, valued together at $45,500, are expected to be transferred to Vancouver later this summer. They include two fish made of Brazilian quartzite, to be installed at the city’s Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way; a bridge made of Indian granite and Italian marble, installed at City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St.; and a boat made of Indian granite and Italian marble that will be donated to the Cascade Park branch of Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, 600 N.E. 136th Ave. “The four pieces will complement other water-themed art created by Kirkland located in Vancouver, most notably the Grant Street Pier and the ‘Headwaters’ Columbia River water feature, both located at Vancouver Waterfront Park,” a press release noted. The Port of Portland plans to aid the city in moving costs, estimated to be $4,000 to $6,000.