Artist unveils public sculpture

About 100 people including more than a dozen children attended the unveiling of a sculpture donated by Lorenzo Ghiglieri to the City of Sisters on Tuesday at noon.

The statue is located at the corner of Larch Street and Cascade Avenue.

Attending the ceremony were Jack McGowan, board member for the Oregon Sesquicentennial Celebration, representing Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Also present were leaders of the committee, called Oregon 150, that is planning for the Sesquicentennial, city officials and members of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sisters Mayor Lon Kellstrom said the statue of a rearing wild stallion reflects the western heritage and spirit of the Sisters community.

"It will be enjoyed by citizens and visitors for years to come," he said. "We're pleased to time this unveiling with the Sisters Rodeo which kicks off its 69th year this weekend."

Ghiglieri arrived in Oregon 50 years ago. He grew up in Southern California in a family of artists. He said he donated the sculpture to remind people of the hardened spirit of the people who settled Oregon. He said the statue would be valued at about $250,000.

Regarding how long it took, he said, "It took all my life to figure out how to do it in two months."