Featured Art Party Artist: Ken Spiering

From the 2008 City of Spokane Arts Awards:

Specializing in artwork for public spaces, Ken Spiering's work can be seen from North Pole, Alaska to North Miami Beach, Florida. But he has made his most indelible mark on the Spokane region with a wealth of public art that demonstrates his extraordinary talent and versatility. Works as varied as the beloved larger-than-life red wagon, Childhood Express … Cataract, at the STA Plaza… and the exquisite wood carving entitled Passage: Immediate & Eternal in City Hall… all add immeasurably to our daily quality of life. And not all of his work is stationary – some of it can be seen running around town, as Ken has designed numerous Bloomsday T-shirts and posters.

Ken's latest and largest public work, commissioned by the Spokane Public Facilities District, is a 700-foot span of wall on the newly expanded Spokane Convention Center. Appropriately named "Current Event", the artwork is inspired by the boat-like shape of the building as well as the surrounding flow of traffic and the motion of the river, and features four giant fish that shimmer along the length of the wall. Located at a major intersection leading into Spokane's downtown, "Current Event" is one of our city's most visible and prominent pieces of art.

Mentorship is as important to Ken as is his art. By teaching at local colleges, Ken stays connected with young artists and continues to mentor and encourage many of his students long after graduation.