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Rooted & Soaring

New artwork by Shani Marchant and Lea Anne Scott Lake

Sponsored by City of Spokane and Spokane Arts

Artwork on both the north and south ends of the University District Gateway Bridge was installed in May, 2019, by Garco Construction as part of their finishing touches on the overall bridge project. “Rooted and Soaring” are two iconic, polished steel structures. These works will be dedicated in a bridge ceremony planned for Tuesday, May 7 from 1-2 p.m.

The sculptures were designed by Spokane artists Lea Anne Scott Lake and Shani Marchant during the design phase of the bridge. Shani Marchant is a Spokane painter and artist known for watercolors and oil paintings. Her artistic partner on this project, Lea Anne Scott Lake, passed away in 2015. Prior to her death, Lea Anne created numerous public art works around the U.S.

Art selection was facilitated by Spokane Arts in cooperation with the City of Spokane in 2014.  The Art Selection Committee for the University District Gateway Bridge included members of the University District Board, WSU Riverpoint Campus Administration, the bridge engineering team, landscape architects and the Spokane Arts Commission.

Karen Mobley, who administered the art selection process on behalf of Spokane Arts, observed that the sculptures are “abstract work based on two concepts which are the titles of the pieces. Rooted is about weight. Soaring is about movement. The character of the piece is about the materials; the shine of the steel and reflective qualities which allow the viewer to see themselves and the surroundings. The two shapes echo one another.”

Public art in the city of Spokane is administered and maintained by Spokane Arts, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, in coordination with the city of Spokane.