Salmon Sculpture Stolen from WRI Grounds

An Art piece stolen from Wenatchee River Institute (WRI) grounds along the Waterfront Park trail near Barn Beach in Leavenworth.

WRI was proud to commission a salmon sculpture from Swede W. Albert, an emerging Indigenous artist and descendant of the p’squosa people from the 12 Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Omak. He made the sculpture using recycled and salvaged metals. It was made to capture the essence of the salmon, an important part of the p’squosa culture and of all people in the Pacific Northwest.

The sculpture was installed last fall. WRI was ready to celebrate the art piece with a ceremony inviting community members, the Wenatchi Advisory Group, the artist, and sculpture sponsors once the snow cleared, and the signage was finished.

 WRI Executive Director, Canuche Terranella said, “while we are saddened and disappointed by the theft, this is only a bump on the journey towards a closer connection with the p’squosa people, the original stewards of this land. We take lessons from this experience and will raise the funds to commission art like the Salmon Sculpture to share with our community.”

The sculpture was broken off its boulder base on Thursday, February 16 in the evening or night. This theft was reported to the Chelan County Sheriff. WRI still hopes that it may be returned to them and asks the community to keep an eye out for this distinctive artwork.

If you have any information, please call 509-548-0181 or email info@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.Contact: Randee Zerger rzerger@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org