May Director's Journal
- Journals
“Look at the kestrels!” Jake exclaims as he carefully lifts a carved sculpture by past Sitka board member and president Del Smith from its packing materials.
“Oh my goodness… the snowy owl,” Nancy whispers, slowly unwrapping another intricately carved bird.
By the time we uncrate the life-sized blue heron and red-tailed hawk, Sitka’s reference library feels more like a wildlife sanctuary than an office. Newts and tadpoles swim just beneath the varnished tops of the library tables. A dragonfly buzzes past my ear.
“They’re so much more beautiful and lifelike in person,” Program Manager Maria Elting remarks, taking in the full flock.“Look how detailed these feathers are,” Assistant Director Nicola Harrison observes, admiring the intricate underbelly of a sandpiper.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Camas, Washington to help nine birds carved by Del Smith, and lovingly collected over many years by fellow Sitka board member Pete Porter, migrate home to Cascade Head as a gift from Pete’s estate.
The return of Pete’s flock also carries with it a deeper story of stewardship and friendship woven through Sitka’s history. Del Smith and Pete Porter together dedicated more than three decades of board service to Sitka. Alongside Bea Smith, Del helped shape not only Sitka’s art and ecology identity, but the campus itself, supporting fundraising efforts that expanded the grounds, added Smith Studio and helped sustain Sitka’s facilities for future generations.
Pete was a beloved presence within Sitka’s Art Invitational community and helped bring Sitka’s historic Ray Trayle printing press into the newly created Smith Studio.
Reflecting on their stewardship, what lingers most is not simply the scale of their service, but the spirit behind it: generosity, curiosity, civility, good humor and a deep love of Sitka, wildlife and Pacific Northwest artists.
“Pete’s life was full and his interests and friendships deep,” his sister Susan shares as we pack the birds and reflect together on Pete’s Sitka service.
While helping take stock of Pete’s collection, another carved and woven piece emerges, unmistakably the work of longtime Sitka instructor and Art Invitational artist Monica Setziol-Phillips. Pete’s family generously chooses to send it home to Sitka as well.
“I must admit I did not expect the coming together of my work, that piece from Pete’s estate, and Sitka to be so emotional for me,” Monica reflects when I reach out to share the news and ask how Sitka should record her work’s title in our collection records.“I would give it a new title of Gift from the Past,” Monica offers, “which seems to fit well in all directions.”
In immeasurable ways, Del and Bea Smith and Pete Porter are gifts from the past — generous, hardworking stewards who helped carry Sitka through decades of care, curiosity and, at times, real uncertainty about the organization’s future. When I come across old letters, meeting notes or planning documents written by either of them, I slow down and pay attention. Their questions still inform Sitka’s work today. How might Sitka deepen its relationship with the rural community? How can programming expand to serve children? What becomes possible when emerging practitioners and nationally and internationally recognized voices gather together in residence on the Oregon coast?
As Sitka continues to evolve, their legacy remains present not only in the art they created and collected, but in the values, stewardship and sense of possibility they, alongside many others, helped seed for future Sitka generations.
This month marks Sitka’s 56th birthday. Here’s to the artists, scientists, dreamers, volunteers, teachers, neighbors and stewards who have carried this place on their wings and across generations — and to Sitka’s onward migration.
Alison DennisExecutive Director
