Ribbon-cutting ceremony for ‘Fluke’ on Valentine’s Day

Created by local artist Micajah Bienvenu, Fluke, a 4-foot tall, 12-foot wide polished aluminum representation of the tail of a whale, weighing 180 pounds, was installed atop the rocky outcropping that overlooks the ferry landing, on the corner of First and A streets, Jan. 10.

What would Valentine’s Day be without cards, candy, flowers and… a ribbon-cutting ceremony?

Now that’s a new one.

The Town of Friday Harbor will celebrate and inaugurate its first-ever piece of public art Thursday, at noon, with a official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the aluminum sculpture that goes by the name of “Fluke”.

Created by local artist Micajah Bienvenu, Fluke, a 4-foot tall, 12-foot wide polished aluminum representation of the tail of a whale, weighing 180 pounds, was installed atop the rocky outcropping that overlooks the ferry landing, on the corner of First and A streets, Jan. 10. Its purchase and installation by the town were made possible thanks to donations of 31 separate residents and businesses totaling $25,000.

Bienvenu, who received offers for Fluke from other Northwest communities, opted to sell the sculpture to the town at a discounted price to ensure it would stay in his hometown. Mayor Carrie Lacher believes that Fluke fits nicely in the town.

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“I’m just thrilled by this gift of public art,” Lacher said in a press release announcing the ribbon-cutting event. “I never envisioned this stunning piece in its new location. But now I can’t envision the rock without it. I know ‘Fluke’ is so special it will cause more community members to come forward with fresh and novel ideas of how to enhance our town.”