SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the unveiling of a new art installation at Lakeview Commons on Friday, August 29, at 11 a.m.
The bronze and steel art is titled “Footsteps of the Past: Suspended in Time” and was created by Terrie Bennett, a second-generation sculptor whose family owned Bennett Sculpture was located in Tahoe City before moving to Placerville.
The project consists of a series of four sculptures made from stainless steel mesh, enclosed in stainless steel mesh cubes. The sculptures will represent historical imagery of Lake Tahoe, including a Washoe woman weaving a basket, an old schooner sailboat, a vintage skier, and a bear. The sculptures are connected by life-size bronze footprints creating a narrative journey through the historical themes. The transparent design of the sculptures allows them to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
In August 2021, the South Lake Tahoe City Council approved $100,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be used as funding for art programming that supports strategic cultural and arts investments that benefit both visitors and locals.
City Council has aimed to integrate art into public spaces and pledged funding to do so to create a more attractive, interesting, and beautiful city for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
The Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission reviewed all ten submissions for the art, and Bennett was chosen for the $100,000 project.
During her 42-year career, Bennett’s works have been exhibited in numerous galleries across the Western United States, and she has undertaken significant commissioned artworks for prominent clients such as The Space Foundation, Barack Obama, the City of Rancho Cordova, and more.
This piece is intended to enrich the community, reflect its unique history, enhance the beauty of the natural landscape, and provoke conversation and reflection. The project aims to create a lasting impact by bringing a beautiful, timeless series of sculptures to the waterfront walk at Lakeview Commons.