|
|
In 2018 a group of sculptors and a small-town community
came together to create the first Firetree Celebration. |
|
Chapter 1
|
In the fall of 2017, Saige Baxter and Duncan MacDiarmid began discussing over coffee how they might design a reusable, steel sculpture that could hold fire. Saige would be the welder and Duncan would manage other aspects of construction.
|
Initial Design Concept
|
The initial design was submitted for a local grant to help finance what is now a 24-foot-tall sculpture.
The submission became a finalist in the grant selection process, but was not chosen. |
Chapter 2
|
With no funding, the artists turned toward a crowd funding platform (ioby, in our backyards) to help raise capital and awareness for their project.
Firetree grew to become a community of artists, friends, family, and new acquaintances, including partnerships with businesses, local government, and organizations. 
|
2018 Poster by John Ritter
|
Final Design Concept - Scale Model: 1 inch = 1 foot
|
A new version of the Firetree was designed with a wooden cart sheathed in protective metal. It had a steel trunk and branches with polished stainless steel leaves. Copper cradles were used to give the branches visual volume.
|
Chapter 3
|
Saige was offered an exciting residency off the coast of Portugal, so she traveled abroad as Duncan began building the Firetree cart outside his home on a hillside overlooking the Allegheny River.
Local article highlights the Firetree at the Society of Sculptors' sculpture festival.
|
Cart Construction
|
Chapter 4
Working directly from his small model for measurements and positioning, Duncan began building the branches of the tree. Dusting off an old, stick welder that he had purchased 20 years earlier for $50. Not knowing how to weld, he asked a fellow sculptor to give him a tutorial. That instruction was enough to start the steel tree fabrication. A local metal worker let him use his shop for ordering materials, cutting the steel pipe, and made the difficult welds for the steel collar at the top of the trunk.
Chapter 5
Drawings were needed to establish the steering mechanism design, raising mechanics, and specifications for the steel fabrication.
Speed Ahead to December 2022 (over time we’ll fill in the missing chapters…)
It’s now been five years since work on this project began. Starting with the initial design, Duncan has filled his sketch books with pages devoted to design ideas and fabrication techniques. The project has developed organically, evolving into an overall simple design that is filled with rich detail and symbolism.
This sculpture has not yet been fully assembled. Maybe we'll get to see that by the fall 2023!
This sculpture has not yet been fully assembled. Maybe we'll get to see that by the fall 2023!
Photos of Work in Progress:
Tail sections assembled with the copper mask, Primal Forces of the Earth.
|
Canopy with The Ball of Light
|
Copper Mask: Grand Provence of Nature
|
Current Design & Fabrication
Tail Platforms and Copper Waves
|
Feathered Wings Made in Aluminum
|
Plywood Section of The Earth Shelf
|
Aluminum stars that will hang beneath the cart.
|
|
Copper Details for The Ball of Light
|
Splash Bugs!
|
Paper brochure inserts representing a Koi Fish, Eagle, and Lotus Blossom.
All three carry symbolic traits within a variety of cultures.
|