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 13: Camping
August 17 Car trunk does not open. Does this mean I should not paint? Forge ahead and lower the back seat to access supplies. Quiet morning.
Indian Joe arrives. Nice comments. He is always clean and neat. Carries a backpack and a small sleeping bag. Looking for friends and ice, he says. Notice asthma containers in his mesh see-thru pocket. What does he do but wait for his friends, the buses? Walks around the corner and automatically trusts me to watch his bag. I am honored.
German woman arrives and comments about the gas mileage of my VW. A Russian woman shows up and they bond. They compare housing costs and the inconvenience of no car in these areas. Maybe they are living the vagabond dream to travel with minimal luggage. Both looking for work I think. One learned English in San Diego. One talks of liking to live in Chico and a goal of getting a car. I wonder what kind of work they do.
No wind yet so I can paint long lines. Rummage in my car-camp and I feel a part of the street. Teen kid and dad stop. They are pleased. How sweet it is. Frito Lay truck arrives and so do my five (I counted) guys strolling through. I just say a big “how-do.” Friendly silence.
Bill and Chester drop by and announce the installation of their mosaic sphere in front of the Historical Society. They pat themselves on the back and I can feel it is a load off. Bill shows me the ingenious trailer he borrowed from the cemetery that lifts coffins, to lift the heavy concrete ball in place. They drive off happy in a very bright orange truck with coffin trailer in tow. I go see the mosaic sphere.
Indian Joe appears when I pack to leave. As I drive off, Maverick and Indian Joe hold down the fort.
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.
