The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

An abstract artist from the Portland area who has been commissioned to create art pieces for the new school complex had a tour of the building and area last week.

Lucinda Parker, who was selected by a local art committee after being among those recommended by the Washington Art Commission, was fascinated by the colors of both the coulee rocks and waters in the area.

Local committee members said Parker will return to the area, perhaps as early as late March, to continue to get a feel of the area. At that time she will likely have sketches to look at, it was reported.

Her work will be part of some $70,000 that has been scheduled for art in the schools. Part of that will include a sculpture by Virgil “Smoker” Marchand to be placed near the front of the building. That piece will depict a “Raider” and will be ready sometime this year.

Parker had a series of meetings with the local art group, appeared at Lori Adkins’ art class, and was driven throughout the area by Lonna Bussert, a member of the art group and a city council member from Electric City.

Bussert said Parker was fascinated by the colors of the canyon walls and of the waterways in the area. She will continue her tour of the area when she returns.

A tentative report stated that both cafeterias will feature large abstract paintings as will the two stairwells.

Parker has created a number of abstract art pieces for public buildings in California, Oregon and Washington state.