You can view a complete photo gallery of the unveiling ceremony here. After the sculpting was completed, the artistic team painted the bear using numerous colors and aging compounds to achieve the end result. The sections were then attached to the frame, and joints were sculpted to a seamless blend.

These sections were then cast in FRP while the inner structural framing system was constructed. Once the master was completed, large sections of the sculpted bear were molded. Steve added, “Realizing the cultural significance, the connection between the physical movement of our hands and the emotion of the subject matter was really an enjoyable and spiritual experience”. Upon approval of the model, the master was sculpted in actual scal e by Steve and his sculptors. “Conceptualizing the elements of nature and realizing the relationship to the animal from life-size to a monumental scale drives our passion,” stated Steve. Once the final art was chosen, shop drawings and a 1” = 1’ scale model were developed for project team reviews (for structural and aesthetic purposes).ĬOST Art Director Steve Petruzates and his sculpting team worked meticulously through the modeling phase to present a bear that appeared alert and strong but not fierce. COST’s Work on the Bear River Casino SculptureĬOST worked closely with John McGinnis, Bear River Casino GM and Tribal Council member, to ensure the bear sculpture closely depicted tribal artwork. The tribe also hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new casino gift shop. It allows past elders to watch over their people and visitors to the Eel River Valley. The bear is dedicated to the memory and honor of Bear River Band tribal elder leaders. The massive 17-foot-tall, 3,000-pound Guardian Bear rests in front of the Bear River Casino Hotel in Loleta, CA.

The newly installed Guardian sculpture was recently unveiled on November 12th, 2018.

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