Preservation work begins on Eddie Running Wolf sculptures

Some of the most dramatic pieces of public art in Niwot are three works created by the gifted artist Eddie Running Wolf, who passed away last summer.

Unfortunately the tree carvings aren't holding up well to the weather and other ongoing natural elements. Now, an effort is underway to preserve them and potentially reinstall them indoors.

Work will start this week on the piece known as Spear Lodge Man.

"I think Spear Lodge Man was the first carving that was done and it's been an iconic display in Niwot that's in much of our advertising and town photos. It also brings us back to the Native American heritage that we have with Chief Niwot," said Chuck Klueber, who is leading the sculpture restoration effort.

Running Wolf's sculptures are deteriorating, in part, because they were carved from the stumps of massive willow trees and are still rooted to the ground. Klueber explained that their roots still draw water and leave the tree consistently damp, essentially rotting it from the inside out. One of the only ways to keep it in good shape is to raise it up off the ground.

"This is something none of us have done before, but we have the desire and the willingness to do our best. If we do nothing, it will fall apart. Instead, we'll do our best to preserve it as well as we can," he said.

In addition to being susceptible to water damage from the tree's intact root structure, wet weather and carpenter ants have also affected all three sculptures. Klueber detailed a specific approach that should protect the carvings from all issues.

"We'll raise it off the ground and take it to a Niwot resident's barn where we'll kill off the carpenter ants with insecticide, and dry out the piece. This part of the process will likely take six months, " he said.

Klueber shared that following the drying process, preservationists will use as many as ten gallons of a chemical called Abatron to fill the sculpture. Following that, they will apply a second substance similar to modeling clay which hardens and preserves the wood.

Cutting work and transportation to the barn could begin as soon as this week. It will all occur with the help of a crane sourced from the Left Hand Water District.

Funding from LID has been designated to help pay costs of cutting the tree, purchasing the Abitron and completing as many repairs as possible. Work isn't cheap. The Abatron alone carries a hefty price tag of $100 a gallon.

Others are involved with the project in addition to Klueber. The team includes Niwot resident and certified arborist Josh Morin, and Jeff Wolcott who owns the barn and will be providing the chainsaw, trailer and manpower for the cutting and preservation process.

The team is also discussing what will occur after the sculpture preservation process has ended and it is clear how well the process worked on Spear Lodge Man and the other sculptures. David Lee, one of the principals of Niwot architectural firm Fletemeyer & Lee Associates, is helping with future planning for the sculpture garden once the team knows how the preservation process is working.

In addition, the team is considering a generous offer from Cotton Burden of the real estate investment firm Burden Incorporated. Burden has also offered to install the three pieces inside the Emporium Building. where they'll be protected from the elements and available for public view.

The Niwot Cultural Arts Association is working to raise funds for the preservation project, and donations have started to come in. Tax deductible donations can be made to the NCAA at P.O. Box 733, Niwot, CO 80544 or online at http://www.niwotarts.org.

Though much is still unknown about how the sculpture preservation will proceed, what is clear is that the effort represents the community's love of art and sculpture. Equally clear is the community's appreciation of a much admired artist.

"It will be a tribute to Eddie," said Klueber simply.