Lopez artist Tamara Shane’s copper-sheathed sculpture “Recycles of Life” will only remain on public display until the holidays, unless sufficient funds are raised to buy it for the community.

The nonprofit conservation laboratory Kwiaht, which has its headquarters office in the Village, paid for the design and materials, and for the temporary installation of the sculpture on the lawn at Isabel’s Café in October. Kwiáht appealed for a public-spirited buyer to acquire the piece so that it could be kept on permanent public display.

“No buyer has come forward,” say fundraising co-chairs Scott Rozenbaum and Russel Barsh, “so it is now up to local residents and businesses to decide the fate of the sculpture by chipping in whatever they can.” Their goal is two to three thousand dollars.

“If every local business gave just $50 for public art and every Village resident and shopper just $5, we could raise more than enough,” they say. Regardless of how much money is collected, all of it will go to buying local art for permanent public display.

“This not just about Tamara’s artwork,” Barsh explains, “but also recognizing the rich artistic resources of our island, the potential contribution of local art to making the Village a more attractive place to do business, and the principle that Lopez artists should be paid fairly for their skilled, hard work.” Distinctive sculptures could be landmarks on other street corners in the Village, he suggests. “Nicer than bright yellow street signs.”

Recycles of Life would be the first artwork to be purchased specifically for public display in the Village.

Donation stations can be found at a number of downtown businesses that support the acquisition: The Bay Café, The Love Dog Café, Gallery 10, Blossom, Vortex, and the Lopez Bookshop. When you patronize these businesses, Rozenbaum and Barsh ask that you drop a few dollars in the jar, or take home an envelope to mail a check to Kwiaht. “Every bit counts,” they say.

For further information write: kwiaht@gmail.com