Community Monument dedication near

The Flathead Community Spirit Monument, for which people contributed more than 2,000 ceramic tiles, will be officially dedicated at Kalispell's Woodland Park, west of the aquatic center, on Saturday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The afternoon celebration will include speakers Annie Garde of Montana Public Radio's "Pea Green Boat," Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy, county Commissioner Gary Hall, state Rep. Mike Jopek, and photographer, writer and former KOFI radio personality George Ostrom.

Music will be provided by the Flathead High School choir, Emily and Mike Casey, and the Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble.

The monument project was born in 2002 in response to a divisive atmosphere that had developed in the valley.

Kalispell sculptor Kay Lynn was asked to create a monument that expresses love for the Flathead Valley's community, as well as the need for all to be respectful of others despite their differences.

Lynn felt the main theme of the monument should be communication and inclusiveness, so she designed a simple structure of four 10-foot pillars with a simple roof to symbolize the community itself.

"I wanted to use a familiar form," Lynn said, "one that suggested shelter, or social gathering.

Unlike most public sculpture, you can't really appreciate what it is from a distance. Also, just like any community, you can't perceive its complexity and beauty until you really examine it up close."

Volunteer coordinators and steering-committee members included Karin Hilding, Jean Kramer, Helen Pilling, Toni Wells, Layah Cottonwood, Lisa Schaus, Sherri Wells, Jani Dryden and Gaelyn Moore.

While Lynn and the other artist helpers offered technical assistance, people did the work themselves and were given complete freedom in choosing what they wanted to express with their tiles. Glazed in a variety of colors and sizes, some are intaglio designs, some low-relief sculptures.

Some have sayings, stories, or poems pressed into the clay, some are handwritten messages to the readers. Some are serious, other are humorous.

Coon Hollow Forge contributed ironwork, Linda Katsuda created a ceiling mural, and relief sculptures by Frank Tetrault, Bob Cavanaugh, Mark Ogle and Charlie Davis were given to the project.

Tile works were provided by artists Lael Gray, Layah Cottonwood, Jani Dryden, Lisa Schaus, Wendy Anderson, Betsy Hurd, Walker Davis, Kitty Rich and Sherry Wells.

Contributions are still needed to help with the final project expenses.

Flathead Valley United Way is the fiscal sponsor of the project.