New public art piece installed as tribute to all who saved South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new piece of art created with love, passion, talent and gratitude is now sitting in front of Co-Work Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, an example of "Tahoe Strong."

In July, vandals destroyed one of three turned art pieces created and donated by local artist Malcolm Tibbets that were on display in front of the Harrison Avenue business.

Finding a silver lining in the destruction was the creation of a new, stronger piece of art dedicated to those who protected and saved South Lake Tahoe during the Caldor Fire.

Kenny Curtzwiler of Meyers drove to Santa Cruz and found 20 six-foot pieces of 6" x 6" redwood lumber. He brought them back to Tibbets's home in the Al Tahoe neighborhood of South Lake Tahoe where Malcolm spent the last few weeks creating the new display with interlocking sections of redwood.

On Friday, a crane from Ed Cook's Tree Service picked up the piece from Tibbets's home, loaded it into Curtzwiler's trailer, then it was transported to its new home at Co-Work Tahoe. The crane then took it out of the trailer and placed on top of a pole where Malcolm and Kenny installed the piece.

The new piece is dedicated to Tahoe Strong and the heroes who protected and saved South Lake Tahoe. Tibbets used a laser engraver and created plaques that are attached to the artwork with the name of each agency assigned to the Calfor Fire - over 300 of them!

People can gently turn the piece to check out all of the engraved names.

Everyone donated their time and Co-Work Tahoe supported Curtwiler's trip.

A sign will be added to the artwork that will say:

HEROES
In the summer of 2021,
The Caldor Fire crested
the Sierra at Echo Summit.
Over 300 different organizations
contributed to the saving
of our homes and businesses

We are forever grateful
TAHOE STRONG