Sandy Post, April 19, 2000
Rob Oster
The Gresham Central Transit Center at Northeast Eighth Street and Northeast Kelly Avenue will look a lot more homey with the completion this summer of Tri-Met's latest art project. Designed by Sandy resident Tamsie Ringler, a sculptor and instructor at Mt. Hood Community College, the 6,000-square-foot plaza between the bus stop and MAX light rail station will resemble "a living room without walls." A cast concrete sofa and armchair, a cast bronze coffee table and television and a steel and cast iron lamp will sit on a circular mosaic portraying interests of local residents and Gresham area characteristics. Ringler said she used the living room concept because it was one she felt people could understand. "I like that it will appeal to everybody," Ringler said. "I'm very democratic that way."
The effect she is aiming for will be similar to when a person walks by a house and gets a brief glimpse into other people's lives through a window. People waiting for the bus or light rail or admiring the sculpture will become part of the sculpture for those passing by or viewing it from afar, she said. "My idea was to take that sense of private life and make it public," said Ringler.
Ringler and about 50 volunteers have been working on the earthenware and stoneware tile mosaic in a trailer provided by Gresham's Parks and Recreations Department since February. "It's quite a nice time," Ringler said. "It's kind of like a quilting bee." Volunteers include high school and Mt. Hood students, retired people, a mechanic, a seamstress and many others. They typically spend up to 10 hours each Saturday working on the project. Ringler and her husband, Maris Strautmanis, then spend another five hours cleaning and getting ready for the next session. Ringler said she and her volunteers have dedicated about 2,000 hours to the completion of the mosaic alone.
When finished, the mosaic will measure about 12 feet across, Ringler said. It is made up of eight triangular sections, each featuring an insert depicting traits typically associated with the Gresham area. Wind, the Columbia River, micro-electronics, Mt. Hood, Jazz, family, the forest and agriculture will be the subjects of the inserts. Each was designed by a Mt. Hood Community College student, Ringler said. Tile for the mosaic was donated by Ann Sacks Tile and Stone.
Ringler hopes that the mosaic will be completed by this weekend. When it is, she will begin to cast the pieces of furniture. The couch will measure about 7 feet in length and the television and lamp will both light up. Mt. Hood is providing the use of its bronze casting facilities for the project, Ringler said. The scheduled completion date for the project is June 30, but Ringler believes it could run into July. "I'd rather take my time and do it right then try to rush it," Ringler said."The mosaic alone is a huge project."
The Tri-Met project is the first publicly funded art commission for the Wisconsin native. Ringler was chosen over two other finalists. "I've enjoyed this project," Ringler said. "But it's been a struggle, especially in the beginning, to make sure my vision stayed intact." Keeping costs from exceeding a $22,000 budget has also been a challenge for Ringler. The entire budget will likely go toward materials, she said. Ringler, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Texas in Austin, said it is not uncommon for artists to break even or lose money on their first commission, but such projects help them build a reputation. The Tri-Met project is not the first large-scale piece of artwork for Ringler. She has also created a traveling teahouse with 160 hanging teacups and a working wood stove and a river with steel carp and cast paper water lilies.