Totem pole repainted; date set for its return to West Seattle

July 21, 2010 at 6:03 pm | In Rotary Club of West Seattle, West Seattle news | 15 Comments

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
The date is set tonight for the return of the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole: Next Wednesday morning, just under two weeks before its planned August 10 re-dedication, and almost eight months after it was stolen. Last week, we took you to the Renton headquarters of art-restoration experts Artech for a peek at the pole, post-cleaning, pre-painting (here’s that story); today, photojournalist Christopher Boffoli went to Artech on assignment for WSB, to get a look at the painting in progress. In the photo above, Phil Roach is working on the pole; in this next pole, the brush is wielded by Roger Waterhouse:

Click ahead for more of a look at what’s been done so far:

As we mentioned in last week’s report, the Artech team consulted old photos before choosing colors for the restoration.

Christopher reports, after talking with the Artech team this afternoon, “Their close examination revealed that the artist had gone back at least once and refreshed the paint. In doing so he made changes to some of his own colors. Parts of the totem pole that had been painted red were re-painted yellow. The totem’s new colors of acrylic paint are based on their examination, research and photographs that are about five years old.”

Once the painting is done, an oil-based sealant will be applied. And when the pole arrives at the site, the wings will be bolted on before a crane lifts the pole back into place. Christopher adds, “New, non-standard locking bolts will fasten the totem to its pedestal.”

The reinstallation is planned for 9:30 am next Wednesday (July 28th); you’re welcome to watch, we’re told, within a safe distance. There’s a slight chance the time/day might change, so we’ll be reconfirming with Artech at the start of next week.

15 Comments

  1. Wouldn’t it be great if the guy who stole it then paid for the restoration could attend the reinstallation? He should be recognized for his contributions.

    Comment by Born To Be Mild — 8:04 pm July 21, 2010 #

  2. Our Totem is looking GREAT!

    .

    Thanks for the update, Christopher and WSB!

    .

    Mike

    Comment by miws — 8:50 pm July 21, 2010 #

  3. This is wonderful! My daughter regularly asks “When will the totem pole be back?” when we drive by. Now I can tell her!

    Comment by MargL — 9:06 pm July 21, 2010 #

  4. Guess the County Prosecutor is still considering the case or has he actually made a decision on charging the thief?

    Comment by KT — 10:08 pm July 21, 2010 #

  5. No, this development in May was the end of the case:
    http://westseattleblog.com/2010/05/bulletin-west-seattle-rotary-club-announces-totem-pole-agreement
    .
    The comments have lots of extra info too.

    Comment by WSB — 10:15 pm July 21, 2010 #

  6. I look forward to seeing it again. Thanks for the nice, detailed work, Artech.

    Comment by ad — 10:46 pm July 21, 2010 #

  7. Maybe it was pointed out in one of WSB’s story which have covered the saga, but I’ve missed it or forgotten. I wonder how much this restoration process would cost if it weren’t being subsidized by Mr. Anonymous Thief? I’m also wondering how long it will take before it needs to be restored again? And how much it will cost and where the money will come from then?

    Do you think we could get Mr. Anonymous Thief to write into his will the totem’s future restorations and maintenance in perpetuity? I don’t know if that would be closer to justice, but it would be the right thing to do.

    Having vented there a bit, I must say the totem looks good.

    Comment by d — 10:54 pm July 21, 2010 #

  8. It looks really good. Great job, restorers! It will be nice to have it back in place.


    “…almost seven months after it was stolen.”

    Minor correction: The totem pole wasn’t stolen. It was removed for restoration. Preemptively. By an anonymous benefactor.

    Comment by Jack — 8:56 am July 22, 2010 #

  9. Astounding that someone can carefully plan a theft like this, including hiring a crane – take a valuable art object in plain view of the public (with police assistance) and then escape without charges or a record of any kind by paying for damages they incurred (and yes, restoring from weathering and the like.)
    How this isn’t First degree theft and a class B felony on their record still escapes me, but I want that same deal: Steal anything I want, pay what amounts to a fine for the stuff they catch me stealing, and suffer no criminal consequences.

    Comment by MAS — 9:25 am July 22, 2010 #

  10. jack – thanks for reminding me I had an actual error in the story … eight months, not seven (Nov. 30) – fixing – TR

    Comment by WSB — 9:31 am July 22, 2010 #

  11. How exciting! I’ve never seen it with a lovely fresh coat of color.

    Comment by ValMalGal — 9:41 am July 22, 2010 #

  12. get um up scout!

    Comment by wolfbain — 11:49 am July 22, 2010 #

  13. I may have missed this in previous postings but how is payment for the restoration being handled, exactly? Did Mr. Anonymous Thief make out a $20,000 check to the Rotary for them to draw from to pay Artech for the restoration work? Or is Mr. Anonymous Thief being directly billed by Artech? What about the reinstallation costs — are those charged to the Parks Department or will those be covered by Mr. Anonymous Thief as well? Will $20,000 be enough? If there’s money left over will Mr. Anonymous Thief get a refund? Another news source estimates the totem’s replacement cost at $75,000, if it hadn’t been recovered. Wouldn’t that have been a more appropriate recompense from Mr. Anonymous Thief to the City of Seattle and its citizens?

    Comment by Dailycommuter — 1:58 pm July 22, 2010 #

  14. Glad to see I’m not the only one with mixed feelings on how this was handled.

    Comment by Aaron — 2:55 pm July 22, 2010 #

  15. I may not like how this was handled (wrt Mr. Anonymous Thief), and goodness knows I hope he pays dearly for this crime for the rest of his life & beyond (karma!)… But I will be so glad to see our totem restored to its home next week.
    .
    Thanks WSB for the updates & the pics! It looks so beautiful & I can’t wait to admire it again driving to/fro on 35th as soon as next week!

    Comment by Cheryl — 8:26 am July 23, 2010 #

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