Schools come together for Art for the Sky event

The event has been under way for over two years, and was sponsored by The Confluence Project’s “Gifts From Our Ancestors” grant that was received last year. Other contributors to the event included artist Daniel Dancer, the Dallesport PTO, Rapid Readymix of Bingen, the Lyle School District, Lyle Students, and community volunteers.

The Confluence Project is a “donor-supported nonprofit that connects people to places through art and education.” For more information, or to donate, visit its site at http://www.confluenceproject.org/.

Participants gathered Friday afternoon for an assembly delivered by Lyle High School’s Ann Scott, who helped organize the project. Scott explained what to expect during the event and the reason for choosing the salmon as their symbol to recreate.

“The salmon is awareness of the river,” explained Scott, saying that the animal was chosen as a way to acknowledge and respect the Columbia River as a source of life in the gorge.

After being briefed students ventured outside to a prepped field behind the high school where the photo would be taken. The field is owned by Friends of the Gorge.

Approximately 280 people were then organized by Dancer and faculty members to fit in to the laid out salmon pattern set earlier in the week with soil.

During the scramble for organization Wishram student Phoenix Dorsey sang while his two younger brothers accompanied on drums.

Once everyone was organized, Dancer was then hoisted, in a cage-box via crane over participants to direct final touches and take pictures.

“This experience taught us that as individuals, we are important; but when organized together, we are even greater. We honored the salmon as it represents the lifeblood of our Native American community. It also serves as a reminder to respect our beautiful Columbia River,” said Scott in an e-mail to district members and participants after the event last week.

To view the final picture online visit Lyle School District’s home page at http://www.lyle schools.org/wordpress/. Or to see more of Dancer’s works visit his site at www.artforthesky.com.