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 16: Brotherly Love
August 20 A clean-cut, young, bearded local resident greets me this quiet morning. I’ve seen him before. Two guys walk by, compliment and wave. I have seen them before too, out of my periphery, and today I really look and notice that they might be twins, or at least brothers.
Indian Joe and Cowboy show up, street brothers deep in conference. The bus depot begins its usual shuffle of people waiting. I haven’t seen Dave lately, my street keeper champion.
A man comes over and comments. He is wearing fabulous cowboy boots and a matching belt. A young woman rushes into the depot with her husband but glances back at me. She comes back after all is settled and talks about the trunk. Nice lady. Everyone is nice and happy today. The barber comes by with a friend, client of his and they take pictures.
Indian Joe hooks up with someone he knows who has a snazzy dog on a leash. The next time I see him, he is baby-sitting the dog, proudly walking her around the station. A smoking woman has a child on a leash, like the dog Indian Joe walks, but the child sucks a pacifier. The girl wants to pet the dog. Indian Joe walks the dog to the girl and the two leashed creatures nurture themselves.
A traveler wishes his small town had the panache to do projects like this trunk. A young girl admires my work. More people notice today, but there still is that big lump that does not see the world, who stand and smoke.
My husband drops by and loves the front buckles. He has visited before so he already said “WOW” to my wood graining.
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.
