Three months ago, Sally Marbry conceived the idea to transform a utilitarian electrical box in front of the Greyhound station in downtown Redding into a piece of public art. This 18-part series is a chronicle of her work and her observations of life on the corner of Pine and Butte.
Part 11: They’re Alive
August 15 I arrive a little late and the chipped Frito-Lay truck is in my space. One bus has left already so one hour to dodge the sun. Sweeping cigarettes, lots of smoking before the buses leave. You would think some of the smokers would be curious. I see about 5% showing interest in what I am doing. Maybe they all glance over as I paint and have huge inner thoughts.
Old paper gathering guy makes his usual stop and comes out with a stack of newspapers. Where are they from? Does someone on the bus hand them to him… or is he picking up old ones? He should get together with the Frito Lay driver and save gas to make the rounds.
A seasoned traveling Swedish woman fills the air. A guy dressed in white talking on cell takes over. Indian Joe leans against the side of the building and I notice the totem he wears around his neck.
I make friends with a kind street person I will call “Dusty.” Just beer and cigarettes, lives at Library Park and the cops come by to feed him occasionally. Found 100 dollars once and treated all homeless people to dinners. Still articulate. Has a brother and described the video montage his brother put together when his father died on his birthday. He was a cabinet maker.
One traveler makes laps around the building. All the others are sitting on the sidewalk. Time to get the bench out. Hint. Hint.
My brother and sister-in-law come by on their bikes and we visit. A street person takes the opportunity to sit on the wet trunk. I am called a bitch when I ask him off. Not a good impression for the relatives and I felt bad to make a person angry. He is not savvy yet to the trunk transformation.
One girl, waiting, sits on the sidewalk and asks if I painted the whole thing. Curious question.
Put the final touches on the trunk before I leave and the box makes a switch-flip noise deep inside. It’s alive!!
To be continued…
Click here to find all the Greyhound Chronicles.
Visit Sally on September 12 on Pine and Butte as she reveals her electrical box turned masterpiece as part of September’s 2nd Saturday ArtHop.
Sally Marbry has shared her fine art, ceramics and sculpture skills as a teacher, product designer and interior designer. For the past year, Sally has been the host and writer of “Home Zone,” weekly on KLXR. She also chairs Viva Downtown Redding’s Design Committee, which spearheaded the public art and street beautification project. Reach Sally at Earth2Sal@charter.net.
