PENDLETON, Ore.-Several bronze statues in Pendleton are shining a bit brighter and looking more vibrant thanks to some recently completed maintenance.
West Coast Art Conservation performed maintenance on 10 bronze statues that are part of the Pendleton Arts Commission’s public art collection in September.
“If you walk by a bronze statue regularly, you may not realize the corrosion that slowly accumulates,” said Stephanie Huffman, Chair of the Pendleton Arts Commission. “The before and after photos highlight how incredible Pendleton’s bronzes look after treatment.”
Most of the bronze statues on Pendleton’s Main Street, as well as the Courting Blue Herons statue on the River Walkway received maintenance treatments that included a thorough washing, removal of corrosion, applying a protective wax coating, and a buffing.
Over time bronze can oxidize or pit and regular conservation treatments, such as non-invasive wax coating that protects bronze from the elements, provide long-term care, according to the City of Pendleton.
One of the focuses of the Pendleton Arts Commission this year has been maintenance of the City’s public art collection.
Maintenance treatments began in April with West Coast Art Conservation working on the oldest statue in the collection, the Til Taylor statue, which dates back to 1929, first.
According to Huffman, the Til Taylor statue highlights the importance of conservation for Pendleton’s statuary.
“Before treatment the bronze patina had become green due to corrosion,” Huffman said, of the Til Taylor statue. “After treatment it almost looks like a brand-new statue. The Arts Commission is pleased at how well the bronze looks after this year’s maintenance work.”
More information about the Pendleton Arts Commission, including current projects, is available online through the City of Pendleton’s website.
Questions about Pendleton’s public arts inventory may be emailed to pac@pendletonor.gov or directed to Stephanie Huffman at 541.966.0239.
