World renowned Klamath Falls Avian bronze sculptor Stefan Savides is set to unveil the latest of his classic series of pieces for the Basin. The current project features three giant American White Pelicans in a swimming position, with each weighing about 600-700 pounds, and will cover about 16 feet in length from stem to stern.
The unveiling will take place on Wednesday, July 17th at 5:30 p.m. in the Commons Park @1112 Main Street next to the water feature in the park. Speakers will include major donors for the project: David Cauble, representing Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall, and comments provided by Ashley Wendt, Executive Director of the Wendt Family Foundation.
“This is a really important bucket list project for me, because the American White Pelicans are such an iconic bird in the Basin,” Savides said. “There are only about 15 to 20 nesting colonies of the White Pelicans in the entire United States, so Klamath is very fortunate to have a thriving group of them here.”
“This was a particularly challenging project because of the design work of starting with a six-inch maquette that ends up with a six-foot Pelican,” Savides said. “It also is one of my most satisfying projects because I think that we provided the viewer with an insight into a slice of their personal lives. I like the energy that we created in this piece.”
Dr. Karl Wenner, a retired orthopedic surgeon and member of Team Savides, said “Klamath Falls is so unbelievably lucky to have a world class talent like Savides. He is literally at the top of his craft and we are blessed to see his work every day. Every time Stefan completes a project, I say that one is his best ever and unmatchable and then he goes right out and exceeds his previous work.”
The total cost of the project came in at just a bit under $85,000, according to Bob Kingzett, a member of Team Savides. “Our three major donors were Sky Lakes Medical Center, City of Klamath Falls and the Wendt Family Foundation,” Kingzett said. “We also had about 15 other additional donors who contributed nice sums to the project. We cannot thank all our donors enough for their generous giving to make such a high quality project possible.
“We also especially want to thank the Klamath Basin Audubon Society for being a great partner and all they do for Team Savides. They are making a wonderful informative panel about the Pelicans like they did for the Grebes.”
Savides has resided in Klamath Falls for the past 30 years and has been sculpting in bronze sculptor for 25 of those. In his earlier life, Savides and had earned an international reputation in the field of taxidermy and was regarded as a front runner in the world of avian taxidermy as a judge, instructor and author.
Savides’ other work in the Klamath area includes his two Western Grebes and Audubon provided information panels at Putnam’s Point. The Eagle in the bronze in front of the Favell Museum, the flying Pelican at the end of Main Street, the Red Band trout at ankle high in the Sugarman’s Corner Park, along with the Heron perched on a flower box at the same location. Savides also provided the Hawk on a tower at the Sky Lakes Roundabout on campus hill and is also just finishing a 10 foot bronze Eagle to be placed at the Homedale, Southside By-Pass intended to honor Kingsley Field. The Eagle will be installed later this Summer, according to Savides.
