Thunder Bay Arts Council prepares to unveil new artwork

ALPENA, Mich. – The Thunder Bay Arts Council is preparing to unveil an art display in Alpena.

Workers from Bedrock and the council were out early Friday constructing a sculpture at Washington Avenue Park.

The artist who put the piece together for the council’s Bi-Path series said he wants everyone who views the piece to make their own decision as to what it represents.

“I think the less I tell, the better it is,” said local Alpena artist Idema. It’s not supposed to be anything, it’s just whatever you feel when you look at it, like a cloud, like how you can pick out things in the sky. I want it to be like that kind of undefined.”

Idema said the undefined sculpture took months of preparation and will sit just over 12 feet weighing 1,000 pounds.

One member from the Arts Council said Idema’s talent is special to the community.

“Jake is such a unique person, young and local, who has kind of a lost skill,” said Thunder Bay Arts Council Project Manager Tim Kuehnlein. “Hand forging, not one weld is in this piece and it’s kind of a similar structure to the Eifel Tower bolted together with hand made bolts.”

To get a first official look at the artwork, a dedication ceremony is planned for Sunday June 20 from 2-3 p.m. AT Washington Avenue Park.

Kuehnlein wants to thank Bedrock for their installation efforts and everyone who made the project come to life.