Six-ton sculpture arrives in Soap Lake

Healing waters sundial made for East Beach Park

SOAP LAKE — After 13 years of planning and fund-raising, a sundial inspired by the theme of healing waters, arrived in Soap Lake Thursday.

The bronze sculpture, referred to as "Calling the Healing Waters," features a man and a woman sitting upon a rock while the woman holds a bowl allowing water to drain through the bottom. Cast iron wings spread across the sculpted man's back with his hand extending toward the sky.

The sculpture will be placed in East Beach Park near the end of the summer. The sculpture will face the water and serve as a sundial. A boulder depicting the roman numeral for 12 will sit across from the sculpture's extended arm, surrounded by several other boulders. A 12-foot-wide sidewalk will lead to the sculpture site.

"Very few of these exist anywhere," Soap Lake Garden Club member Dorothy Downing said.

She and fellow club members spent 13 years obtaining grants, donations, yard sales and selling plants to raise the money to build the sculpture.

The creation cost approximately $150,000.

"It's a vision that we've had, now it's finally being completed," she said. "I just get goose bumps thinking of how beautiful it's going to be."

When installed, the sculpture will sit 15 feet tall, club member Randy Downing said.

The wings will continue to change colors as they oxidize.

Once the sculpture is placed and the basalt rock columns are installed, it will weigh more than six tons, Downing added.

The sculpture was built by Keith Powell and David Govedare. The artists built the sculpture and were paid as the club raised funds.

Boulders are available for purchase through Friday, Dorothy Downing said. They cost $125 and can have a name or a saying engraved on it. For purchase information, contact Dorothy Downing at 509-246-1685.