Pioneer Courthouse
Portland, Oregon
1986

Indigenous animals of the Northwest placed on, in, and around a series of sidewalk fountains located on both sides of the Historic Pioneer Courthouse, on Yamhill and Morrison Streets in downtown Portland. The site lies along the route of the Banfield Light Rail System. The total of 25 sculptures depict various wildlife including bears, deer, beavers, otters, seals, and wood ducks. 

This was one of Georgia’s first major public art competitions, but since she was too late in her pregnancy to attend the final round of presentations, gallery representative Thomas Augustine pitched her concept. The selection committee’s decision was announced shortly after, on the day Georgia gave birth to her daughter Laura. Her husband Randy used the time honored “Good News/Bad News” approach to gently break the word. The entire project was installed nine months later. Georgia is fond of saying that Laura and the Commission had the same gestation period.

In December 2014 NPR and NBC ran national news stories when a group of women crocheted Ugly Christmas Sweaters for the animals and “Yarn Bombed” the installation to promote a Holiday clothing drive.