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The Grounds
The Tri~Art Gallery was located on two acres along the Yakima River in a former cherry orchard. Because of the open, rural feel to the property, combined with the orchard trees remaining, sculpture showed here quite well! But the grounds did not always look like they do now. A little history: |
Our Gallery construction and Grand Opening was delayed by a Riverbank Restoration Project which had been in permitting limbo for five years. Getting ready to start Gallery construction in the Summer of 2004, we were told the only open window for the riverbank project was NOW, so we postponed the Gallery opening until the bulldozers were finished so we could again begin construction on the landscaping of the Gallery. Since the riverbank project window (to avoid harming salmon) was in the fall, we missed the window for reseeding the grounds for the Gallery, so this had to wait until early 2005. We sculpted the property to provide art lovers a beautiful, open riverfront canvas from which outdoor sculpture can best be enjoyed. We enjoy frequent stops by our bald eagle, Fred, along with countless heron, egret, ducks, Canada geese, a few deer, and a range of other critters which love to hang out on the Yakima River.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." – Pablo Picasso 
Construction Began on our Riverbank Restoration Project in the Summer of 2004. | 
The Yakima Riverbank was sloped and rock j-hook vanes are placed to prevent erosion. | 
Newly planted vegetation has since filled in to keep our riverbank in place. |
Here's the link to the Tri-City Herald story about our riverbank project: Click here for the Herald story 
Dave got to go on a wild basalt hunt with John Recker of Needful Things Landscaping to pick out the basalt columns which now surround our gallery. | 
The largest column is placed as one of the gateposts for our main entrance. We commissioned two gates by Tom McClelland. | 
The pedestal
is placed
for
"Elemental"
-- our
signature piece
by
Tom McClelland. |
"Elemental"
Concept Drawing
© Tom McClelland | 
"Elemental"
© 2004 by Tom McClelland
Installed onto the basalt columns | 
The last step was in install the sculpture. As you can see, this was not an easy task for some of the art now in place and for sale. |
Our basalt columns are now installed, and our corner wall (at the intersection of Van Giesen and Jones Road) now serves as the base for the monumental sculpture we commissioned by local sculptor Tom McClelland. We installed this piece – "Elemental" – in March, 2005. We represented 25 incredible sculptors, as well as worked with local Public Arts commissions, municipalities, and businesses interested in placing art. We also worked with the local galleries involved in the monthly "Art Walks" in Kennewick and Richland, and were active participants in these monthly events, hosting live artist demonstrations, bronze pours, and other events. 
The Gallery opened on May 5, 2005. |
Our Barn Gallery
We also renovated the barn on our grounds and turned most of it into indoor gallery space. This allowed us not only a greater selections for art lovers, but exposure for artists we appreciated as well as the ability to host functions and special events indoors.
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