Schwippert’s 20-ton sculpture delivered to Everett Center

For six years a large five-piece, 20-ton sculpture by Verena Schwippert waited quietly in the artist’s yard for the eventual delivery to its permanent home.

March 24, 2009 10:16 am
Two of Verena Schwippert’s large granite hand sculptures are off-loaded from a Cuz Concrete truck near the Everett Transit Center March 12.
Two of Verena Schwippert’s large granite hand sculptures are off-loaded from a Cuz Concrete truck near the Everett Transit Center March 12.

ARLINGTON — For six years a large five-piece, 20-ton sculpture by Verena Schwippert waited quietly in the artist’s yard for the eventual delivery to its permanent home.

Schwippert carved three very large granite hands for the Everett Transit Center but they and two other large carved rocks, about 2-6-tons each, were just delivered to their permanent home in Everett, March 12.

The large work of art features three hands resting in a closed position, and two randomly carved stones. It was commissioned by Sound Transit and the city of Everett is the owner, Schwippert said.

“The sculptures were born in Arlington,” Schwippert said. “But the granite rocks were born 400 million years ago.” She collected the rocks from the Skykomish River.

Titled “Hand Werke,” reflecting Schwippert’s native German language, the public artwork is a tribute to the manufacturing history of Everett, Schwippert said. Currently they are wrapped up in black cloth and duct tape at their new home, east of the railroad tracks and south of the Everett Center, waiting for the official opening of the next phase of the transportation hub for Snohomish County.

Schwippert had lots of helpers delivering the 20-tons of sculpture to Everett.

She hired Cuz Concrete who sent their driver, Scott Kenney, to load them up and drive them to Everett.

“Scott did a great job,” Schwippert said. “He was getting directions from four people and he did it all very well.” Schwippert had help from a fellow stone sculptor, Tracy Powell, of La Conner, and another sculptor, Pam Hom, also from Skagit County.

In Everett, other friends gathered around to see the spectacle.

“I had eight or nine friends there watching and giving their advice,” Schwippert said.

Carol Thomas, of the Everett Arts Commission, and Wendy Becker, of the Snohomish County Arts Commission, helped welcome the hands to Everett.

“My art is not complete until the public has physically interacted, touched, rubbed their cheeks on and sat upon while drinking coffee.”

The big rocks will be strategically located near the pedestrian overpass for people to enjoy and rest on.