FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Amy McBride, Communications Director Omyart, LLC 253-222-3994 or 253-222-2590 omyart@earthlink.net or otto@ottoyoungers.com Sculptor Otto Youngers To Install a New Public Art Piece at Ridgeview Elementary School Tacoma, WA — This September, students attending the recently minted Ridgeview Elementary School in Spokane Washington will be welcomed by a new monumental public art installation by Tacoma artist Otto Youngers. Dewey Decimal’s Delegation is a playful piece consisting of four sculptural “pop-up” books from which emerge the wonders of imagination. A diverse cast of characters cluster around three books located in the primary entryway. Each book releases sculptures that seemingly fly through the air ending up in the school’s library where another book is anchored. Onions and apples on bicycles, flying pencils, violins, and shoes, schools of fish, and rocket ships are among the over 100 elements that Youngers has created from recycled and reclaimed wood. This piece was commissioned as part of the Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Program that allocates ½ of 1% of the construction costs of new state buildings to the creation of public art. In partnership with Spokane Public Schools and stakeholders at Ridgeview Elementary School, Youngers was selected from a juried roster of artists. Youngers, a father of a 2nd grader wanted to create something that would celebrate the wonder of learning and imagination. “This is a K-6 school. I want this piece to be meaningful to kids at all ages and even teachers. A kid who is starting kindergarten this year will enjoy it and will find different points of interest as he/she gets older” remarks Youngers of the piece. Inherent in Youngers’ work is an ethic of sustainability. “I only use recycled and reclaimed wood. And I use every bit of it” says Youngers, an avid green thumb. Youngers has grown over 150 trees on his Tacoma property. “Even the sawdust and woodchips go back to the earth as mulch to our gardens.” The combination of wood, its age and provenance create a wonderful palette of color ranging from white to deep dark brown. Considering the prominent primary colors in the new school, the art committee wanted to capitalize on the beauty of natural wood. The Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Program, or the 1/2 of 1% for Art program, was established by the state legislature in July 1974. Washington’s program is the second oldest percent for art program in the nation and is one of only four to include the public school system in its programming. Established in 1961, the Washington State Arts Commission advances and supports arts and culture in Washington State through leadership, knowledge, funding, and resources that build participation in and access to the arts. For more information visit www.arts.wa.gov. # # #