Sculpture Garden
Today numerous sculptures from local artists grace the gardens and vineyards of Westport Winery. Every time our collection of wine labels grow, the sculpture garden grows as well!
The Concept
It was county extension agent Don Tapio who advised the Roberts, "Plant a vineyard and build a winery”. He was also the catalyst behind the sculpture garden when he told them about a living sculpture of a teddy bear’s picnic he had seen at a botanical garden in England as a young horticulture student.
The Logo
Although they tried to find an artist to recreate the sculpture it was not as easy as it looked, nor did it match the winery's coastal theme. That's when the Roberts contacted, Ruth McCausland, renown cartoonist Bob McCausland's widow. Ruth graciously allowed the Roberts the use of Bob's drawing of the Grays Harbor Lighthouse as their logo.
Boom Runner
Tavis Highlander wanted to communicate how it had to feel for those long ago boom runners, as though they were racing on a river of wood. Tavis He built this three times before he was happy with the results where the wood is connected by winding metal grape vines completing the imagery.
Surfer's Last Syrah
Hand-blown by Johnny and Darlene Camp of Opal Art Glass this sculpture includes sixty pieces of glass on a metal frame. Each piece has a hole to protect the glass from condensation and temperature extremes. The Roberts call this their million dollar sculpture on a Grays Harbor budget. This sculpture was unveiled in May of 2009.
Lighthouse White
With logo in hand, the Roberts decided to add a lighthouse to the design of their winery. Westport's Tricia Rogers engineered the structure that was built by Jim Humphrey Construction for the winery's opening on March 29, 2008.
Elk River Riesling
A jack-of-all-trades from commercial fisherman and processor to wildlife artist, Kunz has a style all his own. This piece was unveiled on a cold rainy Sunday in January of 2009. Positioned next to a "dry" creek bed that is the natural drainage for the parking area. The water in the creek is made from recycled blue wine bottles that have been broken and tumbled.
Shorebird Chardonnay
Mike Peterson’s sketch for this sculpture is almost as beautiful as the sculpture itself. Made of intricately cut metal, this piece was unveiled at the Eclipse Concert on June 26, 2010, where Mike was also the drummer in the band.
Little Wild Blackberry
When this sculpture arrived depicting this intensely happy little bear amid a bramble of berries, the Roberts knew it would be a lasting tribute to their beloved dog, Kalis, who plays the role of the bear on the wine’s label. This sculpture was unveiled on May 22, 2010. Kalis lost his battle with melanoma on December 7, 2009.
Bog Berry Blush
On Saturday, October 1, we unveiled Infusion, by Hoquiam artist Carrie Larson. This sculpture commemorates the wine Bog Berry Blush. Since cranberries are at the heart of this blend, Larsen’s concept for the arbor-like piece began with “color field images--cranberry bushes in a flooded bog, the myriad shades of red enlivening a watery field reflecting the sky; the way picked cranberries look in a wooden crate, the rich multiples of color and form creating a rhythm.”
Charterboat Chick's
When chainsaw carver David Thompson selected Bordello Blonde, Kim had an image of a turn-of-the-century madam walking through her gardens. Dave's idea was different since he carved a seven-foot tall hooker. Rather than taking home the hooker, in July of 2009, Kim pointed his fish carved from a giant spruce, and said, "Those will be for Charterboat Chick's."
Bella
Whether at sunrise or Twilight Lora and Kim Malakoff's interpretation for Bella shines, spins and inspires since unveiled on August 12, 2011.
Shelter From The Storm
Johnny and Darlene Camp of Opal Art Glass unveiled this remarkable place to embrace out of the rain on June 11, 2011.
Pinot Noirvana
Jeff Uitto took on one of the most challenging labels, that of Pinot Noirvana. Made of wood collected from the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah along with many rusty items from the area's past, Uitto created a replica of the guitar Cobain had designed for Fender. This sculpture was unveiled in September of 2009.
Red Sky At Night
A woman of many talents—musician, teacher, painter— Lindell Stacy-Horton's favorite media is paper maché—not a great product for an outdoor application. Her sculpture is crafted of fiberglass. Its sunflower shape, depicts a bright, red sun rising or setting, any time of day.
Ancient Mariner's
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport's Spar Shop gurus Matt Bale and Kent Wall created this replica of the fighting top from the Black Pearl in Pirates of the Caribbean. The mast at the center sports a series of signal flags that spell winery. On the deck is the pirate’s code.
Dawn Patrol
In homage to the famed giant razor clam that graced the driveway entrance to the long defunct Dune’s Restaurant in Grayland, the Roberts family commissioned Uitto to create a similar icon for their new restaurant.
Message In A Bottle
Thanks to Ken Wilson there is a geocache located on our property. There is a latitude and longitude on the Message In A Bottle label to help you find the clue to the treasure’s location.
Peaches on the Beaches
Lora Malikoff, is best known as a writer and editor. However, her passion is art. A prolific painter, she has not created a sculpture in a long time before unveiling this on August 21, 2010. The backdrop is a composite photograph by the Roberts family’s friend, Randy Miller of Maui.
Duckleberry Grunt
Award-winning wildlife carver, Vern Jones of Westport, created a flock of ducks in our blue glass pond. Made of cork, these decoys were unveiled on July
Jetty Cat
Kim Roberts harkened back to Don Tapio’s original concept of living art with this sculpture. Huge rocks were hauled in to create the jetty, while miniature boxwood were trained into topiary cats beginning in November of 2009.
Skookumchuck
Mark Simbe said he’s been an artist his entire life, yet it was his years in the auto body business that helped him transition from drawings to sculpture. With this piece he reflects the very nature of the word Skookumchuck as it translates from the Chinook jargon to mean “strong water”. This piece was unveiled on July 24, 2010.
Going Coastal
The label says it all. You move to the beach. You start collecting stuff you find on the beach. You hang it on your mailbox. This was installed in August of 2009 by Kim Roberts. When you look in the vineyards you will see buoys used to label the varietal. These floats are courtesy of the Stedman and Greear families.
Pineapple Express
Hawaiian native, Peggy Hubacker, brought the essence of the islands to Westport with this patinated metal screen featuring a bird-of-paradise on November 20, 2010.
Mermaid’s Merlot
When Lisa Humbyrd welded this piece she used her own hands as the model for the mermaid, who without adhesive can hold either a glass or a bottle of wine. This sculpture was unveiled in July of 2008.
Upcoming Unveilings:
Maritime Muscat by Tom Moran(welded metal)
Bordello Blonde by Dann Sears (carved wood)
Rapture of the Deep by Dana Farley (neon)
Captain Gray's Gewurztraminer by Kimmi Kerns
Night Watch by Frank Ratte
True North by Kim Malakoff
Fleur de Lis Pinot Gris by Lora Malakoff
Swimmer's Last Syrah by Tavis Highland and Jeffro Uitto
Message In A Bottle by Abe Singer
Shiver Me Timbers by Melanie Daehler (stained glass)
Labels Looking For Artists:
Look on our website at the tasting notes list under "Wines" to get a feel for the label and the charity if you would like to submit a proposal.
Smoky Nor'wester
Float
Visit Us
The best way to capture the sculpture garden is to visit the winery. For directions, and contact information visit the Contact Us page!
