Tomas Vrba
Made from Port Orford Cedar Tree Stump
As it once stood as a proud Port Orford Cedar tree, it became diseased and posed safety concerns. Instead of simply removing the tree, the City of Puyallup and the Arts Commission wanted to preserve the memory of the tree, and they saw an opportunity to create a unique piece of public art.
Mr. Vrba was hired, and together with the city and arts commission, reimagined this tree to incorporate elements of the city’s agricultural heritage and history. The creation is a beautiful sculpture featuring a wooden throne with 360 degrees of intricate carvings of bees, owls, and herons.
Having spent considerable time developing the concept and executing the carving, Vrba says, “After understanding the history and culture of Puyallup, it had to be nature-connected, so we came up with the idea of ‘Nature’s Throne’”
Tomas Vrba is an award-winning sculptor and metal artist from Bellingham. He combines the classical fine arts training he received in his native country of Slovakia with the raw power of modern tools to create a unique style of sculpture.
“Any Sculpture needs to be noticeable from a distance and from up close. Something has to draw you to it,” says Tomas. “It can become a kind of living piece in the center of the park.”
