Katherine Elswick shared the story behind beautiful Spiral Sculpture at Desert Foothills Library. I think you will enjoy reading the history that touched the local people in many ways. The mountain pictures that you see is the view from our library, endless beauty ! The spiral sculpture now mounted in the median between the upper and lower parkiong lots of the Desert Foothills Library was recently installed in memory of Geoffrey Platts, long time resident of this area, by members of F.O.G., an informal group, Friends of Geoffrey. Geoffrey was from Yorkshire, England, and when he came to Phoenix he fell in love with the desert. Yeoman correspondent, beautiful, inspiring, empathetic letters to people all over the world, he left more than 40 boxes of letters and environmental appeals behind him. His friends have sorted it down and seek a permanent home for them. He was instrumental in trying to pass the Bottle Bill. He was a natural performer and gave Literary Readings all over the Valley, mostly American and English classics. He was greatly beloved and is still greatly missed. He died saving a friend in a local river in December of 2000. He wrote many Letters to the Editors of various papers and also columns PenPoints in the Foothills Sentinel. Perhaps he was perceived as eccentric by some but his greatest eccentricity showed up in his kindness and understanding of such a great variety of people. He wrote TREK! Man Alone in the Arizona Wild, after some many treks alone for many days out in the desert with cached food. He loved this Earth. He called her, Madrecita. People reading Cheryl Strayeds WILD and looking forward to the movie in December, would enjoy his account of his solitary treks. There is also a bench in Geoffreys Memory at Jewel of the Creek, one beginning to the local Dragonfly Trail hike. This sculpture has etched around the spiral many symbols meaningful to Geoffrey, footprints, a feather quill (with which he wrote his letters, with homemade walnut ink), a Save the Desert sign, his walking staff, and on the back side, one can find in the center, The Yorkshire Rose, saluting his birthplace. I will bring the book Monday so you can photograph the cover and perhaps his author picture so if you post the news on Facebook, you can add that. Another sculpture will go up soon, by Richard Mocco, a local artist, which was given in memory of Paul Elswick, local author. They were both friends of Geoffrey and it seems fitting pieces in their memory will now be hanging out at the great local library, for all to enjoy. Plaques for these two pieces are in the making and will be mounted as soon as possible. Thanks to our Library and to David Court, Director, for encouraging public art at the library. Thanks, Bina. Katherine Elswick
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:23:32 +0000
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