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16A - RED ROCK NEWS, Sedona, Arizona Wednesday, February 10, 2010
By Hoyt C. Johnson
LARSON NEWSPAPERS COLUMNIST
It was a relatively recent announcement in
this newspaper that jolted my memory and made
me reflect on an entrancing 20-year-old story "
marked by the kind of captivating ove 0nes that
unmistakably characterize experiences related
to "the call of Sedona."
According to the announcement, Rotary Club
of Sedona "culminated its fundraising raffle"
when acclaimed artist Susan Kliewer pulled
prominent local resident Jay Stuckey's winning
ticket from a punch bowl."
And what did Stuckey win? Well, the lucky
guy won a 21-inch by 19-inch bronze sculpture
that Kliewer had titled "The Mischievous Ones"
-- and no, the sculpture is not a portrayal
of Stuckey and his pretty wife, Sue.
So, what does the raffle have to do with
my introduction of a 20-year-old story?
Well, essentially the relationship stems
from Kliewer, who is an acclaimed artist
with a long list of highly'coveted awards
from art organizations throughout the
entire Southwest.
She heard "the call of Sedona" while
on a camping trip approximately 30 years
ago. She endured adventurous stints asC.
the manager of a trading post at Marble
Canyon and was an aspiring artist who JOHNS0N
sold her paintings off the walls of an "'"
Uptown restaurant
Before establishing her reputation as an
acclaimed sculpt'or, she labored at a local
foundry.
As for the story itself, its beginning dates back
to when I interviewed Kliewer in 1990 while
riding horseback,
And as it happened, after we had trotted up
a trail that took us through dozens of small
canyons and dry washes while ducking under
the limbs of giant cottonwoods, we marched our
horses into the middle of sparkling, splashing
Oak Creek.
Honestly, the scene was like something out of
an. old movie that might have been made in this
spectacular red-rock country more than a half-
century earlier j
Kliewer reminded me of Dale Evans, but I
knew that I looked more like Gabby Hayes than
Roy Rogers
After we tied up our horses and found a
comfortable spot in the warm sun, Kliewer and
I continued talking about her initial acoeptance
as a recognized artist -- but all too soon, we
saddled up for a picturesque ride back to her
home in tiny Elmersville just southwest of
Sedona.
As we were riding, I wondered if artists like
Kliewer always knew what kind of work they
wanted to do next. "Have you thought about
your next sculpture?" I asked.
"Sure, I think about it all the time, even
when I wake up" in the middle of the night," she
answered.
I had one more question: ?What special chal-
lenge, what big goal, what crazy idea do you
have in mind for the future?"
"I want to do a monument!" she shouted, and
then galloped ahead.
I was content to stay behind, just trottin'
and thinkin' -- but suddenly, I felt compelled
to holler, "Maybe it should be of Sedona
Schnebly!"
Now, fast-forward to 1992, when this commu-
nity's annual sculpture walk, sponsored by the
Red Rocks Arts Council, featured more than
600 works by 114 artists from 22 states.
No wonder the show had become known as
"one of the most significant art shows in the
fiation."
What made the '92 event particularly impor-
tant, however -- indeed, what made its appeal
become almost epidemic was the arts coun-
cil's announcement that the winning sculptor
would be honored by an opportunity to create "a
monumental portrayal of Sedona Schnebly."
Well, guess What? [You get three guesses and
the first two don't count.]
Marilyn Nicholson, called "a driving
force in Sedona's art community,"
chaired a jury composed of Rudy
Turk, retired director of Arizona State
University's art museum; Thron Riggs,
mayor of Sedona; Paula Hokanson,
Schnebly's granddaughter; and me.
And yes, after the competition had
been narrowed down to 10 aquettes
that varied from traditional to contem-
porary to spiritual, our jury named
Kliewer's entry the winner.
With regard to the way these happen-
ings relate to my introduction of "an
entrancing 20-year-old story," it is inter-
esting to know that in 1994, when Kliewer was
working on her 8-foot-tall statue of Schnebly,
Schnebly's great-granddaughter, Lqsa Schnebly
Heidinger, asked about what I had hollered
four years earlier -- "Maybe it shouldbe of
Sedona!"
"Isn't that spooky?" Kliewer replied to
Heidinger.
Well, so was the fact that Kliewer wouldn't
have entered the arts council's competition if
she hadn't discovered red rock country while
camping in 1980, hadn't sold her paintings in
a Sedona restaurant and hadn't worked at a
local foundry But this "call of Sedona" was
composed of still another coincidental element,
so read on.
Imagine, at the same time as Kliewer finished
her handsome bronze of Sedona Schnebly, our
community was ready to celebrate the dedica-
tion of its handsome, new library.
And yes, the library's expansive front patio
literally begged for a monumental sculpture --
of this town's beloved namesake, if you please.
Well, you know the rest of the story -- at
least, you know most of the rest.
As it happened, the guest of honor at the
library's dedication of Kliewer's. masterful
sculpture, Sen. Barry Goldwater, showed up
late.
And though I have referred to what the
senator said in an earlier column, for purposes
of this story, what Kliewer "said" is more
meaningful.
"I had a hell of a time getting here," Goldwater
announced in his strong, gravelly voice
At that moment, I glanced at Kliewer, and I
always will insist that she very quietly mouthed,
"So did I."
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Approved over 10 million in City of Sedona budget cuts.
41 million in city of Sedona "rainy day fund",
Will not vote to take on the expense, liability, and
maintenance of Hwy. 89-A.
No city property tax.
COMMITTED TO THESAFETY OF OUR
RESIDENTS AND VISITORS
Dedicated to Sedona becoming an International Dark
Sky City.
Sensible decisions regarding safety and Dark Sky
compliant lighting.
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
Supports Amendment 12 and has continued to
protect Sedona from land trades for 20 years!
Leader in green and sustainable practices.
Protects our open spaces, views, clean air and
water.
COMMITTED TO A THRIVING BUSINESS
COMMUNITY
Supports our Chamber of Commerce, Main Street
Program and Arts.
DEDICATED TO REPRESENTING ALL
OF SEDONA
endorsement from a Political PAC
Will not accept
or Special Interest Groups.
OVER 20 YEARS IN SEDONA
18 year successful business owner.
Dan has a track record of community service.
Dan is prepared for the job and committed to the
service of Sedona!
Committed service to our youth, families and seniors.
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