Friday, March 8, 2013
kitsapweek
page 3
Octopus
Continued from page 2 The science center is operated by the nonprofit Poulsbo Marine Science Center Foundation and occupies a downtown waterfront building owned by the city; Sealaska Environmental Services has offices upstairs. The science center has an aquarium, touch tank, classrooms, theater, and a floating lab with underwater camera. The science center provides marine science education for children from four area school districts; Harlow estimates 1,000 to 1,500 elementary and middle school students visit the science center each year. “It introduces them to the wonders of the saltwater environment,” Harlow said. Inspiration to become good stewards of the marine environment “is a side benefit of what the children get.” In addition, the science center is open to the public without charge. The aquarium is periodically home to an octopus from Liberty Bay. A young octopus is kept there for three to six months, then released to the bay and replaced by a new octopus. Mus said he planned to go out March 9 and find a new resident octopus for the aquarium.
Raises city’s profile as a public art center The octopus sculpture contributes to the City of Poulsbo’s growing portfolio of public art. In addition to the octopus, there’s the 12-foot Norseman sculpture on Viking Avenue and Lindvig Way; a Viking sculpture at Waterfront Park dedicated in honor of Poulsbo mayor Maurice
The octopus sculpture is delivered by semi-truck to the Poulsbo Marine Science Center, March 1. Photos by Kipp Robertson / Kitsap Week
Bill Austin, vice president of the Poulsbo Marine Science Center board, helps direct the move of the octopus sculpture from a semi-truck to its final spot. Right, a fork truck lifts the octopus sculpture off the semi-truck it was delivered on. Lindvig (1969-1976); a mural on Front Street depicting a Viking ship and crew underway; and a driftwood fish sculpture and rock art at Fish Park. Mayor Becky Erickson said she hopes to raise money for a sculpture of a Norsewoman at Highway 305 and Lincoln Road. “Public art is just so important, but it has to be public art that is supported by the public and is driven by residents,” she said. “Public art is sym-
The octopus sculpture seems happy to be at its final home.
bolic of the community, it’s a symbol of who we are. It’s a branding mechanism as well. We are doing a lot of Norwegian kind of things, and it helps foster that brand of Poulsbo’s Scandivanian heritage.” On that note, we should point out that “octopus” in Norwegian is “blekksprut.” — Richard Walker is editor of the North Kitsap Herald, a Sound Publishing Co. newspaper.
The driver of the semi-truck helps Patrick Mus, Poulsbo Marine Science Center director, position a fork lift under the octopus sculpture in the Poulsbo Marine Science Center parking lot.