What’s the buzz?

Carve your name into local history

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

—  Margaret Mead

Scale this quote down a bit and it’s the story of a recently completed and very popular Lincoln City art project, started quietly by someone who saw potential in a rather lofty tree stump, and the receptive city department that ran with her idea to turn it into art.

“The City had to cut down a huge tree next to the pump station because it had become hazardous,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jeanne Sprague. “One of our locals, Joan Prins, who walks past there with her dog daily contacted us and said ‘Hey there’s a huge tree stump here, any chance you can make it into a piece of art?’ And we said, ‘That’s a fantastic idea.’”

Located at the corner of West Devils Lake Road and Highway 101, the former tree was transformed from stump to stunner by chainsaw artist James Lukinich, who made the last cut in September.

“Our first step was finding an artist and getting a budget together,” Sprague said. “We found out about James by word of mouth and reached out. He was very interested but we told him he had to give us an idea of his design so that we could put it before the commissioners and other decision makers that have to approve any spending on public art.”

James was given a basic idea and, according to Sprague, “He ran with it;” even adding extra natural materials like local driftwood for the eagle’s nest that sits atop the carving, which also includes depictions of mammals, other birds, fish and even native insects.

"They wanted a local lake theme, so I put pretty much everything you’ll find near, on or in Devils Lake into the design,” James said. “It was hard to finish once I started carving because everyone kept stopping by and you have to stop and talk to people. The response was insane, in a good way."

Though the last creature has been carved, there is another step in the project before it is complete and this is where you, gentle reader, come in.

The process of coming up with a name for the carving is open to the public. Enter as many creative names as you can come up with and enter by Monday, Nov. 15, for a chance to win a year-long membership pass to the Lincoln City Community Center. The winner will also get bragging rights, with the chosen name etched into a plaque that will be added to the sculpture at the close of the contest.

“It was James’ idea to do a naming contest,” Sprague said. “I thought it was pretty cool for an artist to open the naming process to the public. We did this for naming Nesika Park and we got over 90 entries, so I’m sure we will have plenty of entries for this one too.”

Though James now has many local fans, his biggest is still his wife Marilyn Lukinich, to whom he has been married for 27 years.

“She’s had a lot to do with pushing me so that my art carving could be a real business.” James said. “She’s my backbone.”

Originally an arborist, James began carving dead trees for fun while the couple were living in San Diego. Little by little his reputation grew. The commissions and projects kept getting bigger, until Marilyn saw the potential for turning her husband's beloved hobby into a full-time job.

“He’s very humble and one of those quiet, mountain man type guys,” Marilyn said. “I’m the one that believed in him for 25 years and got the carving business going full time because I want him to be happy and I knew this would make him happier than what he had been doing.”

Past projects include a huge safari-theme sculpture in San Diego with giraffes, lions and other thematic creatures, and many large pieces for properties in and near Willamina, where the couple moved before finally landing on the Oregon Coast. James, who was born in Newport, had always hoped to make it back to the Central Coast, and the success of the new business finally made it happen.

“I wasn’t sure exactly where we would end up but we found a place in Lincoln City and we are loving it here,” James said. “I’ve done many projects over the years but this has been my favorite just because of the response from the public. What a great way this has been to meet the community.”

The upkeep on the piece, which includes live plants, will be done by parks maintenance staff, including occasional application of a non-toxic wood preserver. The project, Sprague said, is also one of the favorite things that she has been involved with since starting at the department.

“I just love the idea that public art in parks can start with one person,” she said. “We could have pulled this stump out of the ground but instead we spent the money that would have gone to the extraction in a different way, and now we have public art that the community absolutely loves.”

To enter the naming contest, email llafon@lincolncity.org.