Draw the Sundial of Your Dreams
In Bellingham, WA there is a small, plain building with a 54 x 28 feet south facing wall. What kind of a vertical sundial can you imagine on that wall? The Allied Arts of Whatcom County is making a request for proposals for "The International Bellingham Wall Sundial Mural Competition". NW Sun Works, a small group dedicated to the creation of sundials and public artworks, is seeking artist proposals for a working vertical sundial and mural. It is to be constructed on a south facing wall in Bellingham, WA. on a private building near the downtown core. The project is open to any artist, muralist or sundialist, including teams of people who would like to work together.
Proposals may be made by artists, persons, or teams for:
- submit a design proposal only
- submit design proposal with ability to create the mural
- submit design proposal with ability to do any mural and installation of sundial time telling elements.
If the winning design is a 'design proposal only', they will have local talent available to complete any work required for the sundial portion and for any mural/artwork involved. To demonstrate what a vertical, south facing sundial looks like, the group used the Sonna 4.01 software by Helmut Sonderegger (available at Sonne403 Sundialists Software) to present a deliniated vertical sundial for the Bellingham latitude of 48.75 deg at 2.48 degrees west of the 120th time zone meridian.
"Bellingham is a hidden jewel of Washington State filled with people who are forward thinking and enjoy the outdoors. Protected by the North Cascade mountains and bumped right up to the bay, our views are speckled with island's, volcanic mountains, numerous lakes, thick mossy forests, and are surrounded by small farms. Our city thrives on small businesses which fill our brick buildings thanks to our community which encourages handmade and locally sourced goods. Bellingham is very unique, and we hope for the designs to reflect this vibe."
Read more at: http://www.alliedarts.org/sundial-mural-competition/
Addendum: The Bellingham dial was dedicated on September 22,1918. "The Sundial Mural Project has been completed. Sasch Stephens of NW Sunworks spent years putting this project together and in association with Allied Arts sponsored an international competition that ultimately commissioned Gretchen Leggitt to paint a beautiful 30' x 60' wall mural incorporating the dial. The bright and engaging sundial mural is located on the south facing wall of 207 Unity Street in Bellingham, WA."
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Washington Gnomon Contest
What do you do when your state's college Capitol Campus in Olympia, WA has a beautiful sundial designed by John Elliot, but a wimpy gnomon? The dial has been subject to a poorly designed and vandalized gnomon since it was installed in 1958. Now the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services "invites student designers to create a design for a functional, accurate, and aesthetic gnomon for the state's Capitol Campus sundial." To be eligible for the design contest, students must be enrolled in a Washington State community or technical college. The contest encourages student teams and an honorarium of $1000 will be awarded for the winning design.
The gnomon must be made for the sundial latitude of 47 degrees, with a maximum base length of 39.5 inches (1003 mm) to fit the 6 foot diameter circular sundial with center offset gnomon . "Practical concerns such as strength, resistance to vandalism, ease of maintenance, cost, and method of attachment will also be important aspects of a winning design." Esthetics of gnomon style, artistry, and content that blend with the sundial and capitol campus environment are important criteria.
Entries are due by February 24, 2017 and the winning design will be announced March 10, 2017. Read more at : http://des.wa.gov/services/facilities-leasing/capitol-campus/memorials-and-artwork/territorial-sundial/sundial-gnomon-design-contest
Addendum: "The iconic Territorial Sundial, housed between the Legislative Building and the Joel Pritchard Library, returned to its original location in Olympia after being in Seattle for repairs during the past 6 months. Workers took the aging timepiece to Seattle in July 2017 for its first major overhaul in 59 years. In need of serious repair, the weathered sundial became inaccurate at telling time," as reported by Washington State Government at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/so/about-office/from-our-corner/5749/Territorial%20Sundial%20returns%20to%20Capitol%20Campus "The restoration work done on the sundial included crafting a new stronger gnomon, the part of the dial that casts the shadow. The new gnomon is a replica of the original with improved attachments. Repairs have also been made to the face of the sundial, as well as work on the sundial's base and anchoring system to ensure its face is flat and horizontal (for accurate time-telling). The sundial will now be sturdier than ever with improved durability while maintaining its original historic appearance...Originally dedicated in January 1959, the Territorial Sundial was designed by artist and master craftsman John W. Elliott (1883-1971). There are eight panels that depict important milestones in our territorial history. The quote by Marcus Aurelius on its display reads, "Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current." There will be a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, January 30th [2018], beginning at noon, to celebrate the sundial's return."
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Malta Sundial May Disappear
In a recent article by Michael Galea in the Times of Malta a sundial on the wall of the Jesuits' church, next to the Old University entrance on St. Paul Street in Valleta, may soon disappear if action is not taken. The dial, one of the oldest in Malta was engraved onto the brick wall on August 13, 1695, and now "The heritage authorities are earnestly solicited to take immediate action to rescue this piece of history from destruction."
Enternal light needs to shine upon this dial, for as the Latin motto reads "TEMPUS ERIT QUANDO CESSABIT TEMPUS ERITQUE LUX AETERNA BONIS NOX SINE FINE MALIS" or "There will be a time when time will cease and there will be eternal light for the good and endless night for the wicked."
Unfortunately in recent years the sundial has been neglected. The university is closed and building has other short term occupants. A dark stain from a rain spout obscures the right side and a brushy weed is growing in a chink between the stones. This dial is in need of some simple maintenance, weeding and cleaning. But now scaffolding blocks the wall and we believe the dial is slated for destruction.
Fortunately the architect responsible for the building restoration has been contacted with a proposal to restore the sundial and set a plaque with information about it at street level to draw attention to this fine Maltese sundial. What will be the fate of this dial? Hopefully not endless night.
Read about it at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/
Addendum: In January of this year we reported that the Malta 1695 vertical sundial on the wall of the Jesuits' Church, next to the Old University entrance on St. Paul Street in Valleta was in severe disrepair. Alexei Pace reports that "restoration of the 1695 sundial in Valletta, has now been completed. All the vegetation and fungal growth/mold has beeen removed and the stonework re-pointed."
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Hilltop Park Renovation
Hilltop Park was built by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in 1987 and the iconic 70 foot sundial and nearby skatepark, "The Dish", the oldest statepark in the San Francisco were in need of repair. Rennovation funding came primarily from the statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2008 (Assembly Bill No. 31), which set aside one of its largest grants of $5 million out of $368 million to improve parks and recreation facilities in underserved communities throughout California. An additional $1.6M for Hilltop Park renovation came from The Trust for Public Land, Bayview advocacy group Parks 94124 and a private philanthropist.
On December 3, 2016 public officials and community citizens celebrated the opening of the revitalized Hilltop Park. The sundial received a new coat of yellow paint and refurbishment. The Dept of Parks and Recreation upgraded the surrounding plaza, amphitheater and lighting. "The Dish", was redesigned with a modern flair, and the surrounding park given a surrounding of native and drought tolerant plants. Meaghan Mitchel concludes an article about the rennovation: "The newly renovated park also boasts adult fitness equipment, picnic area with a barbecue pit, and telescopes as well as educational signage to enhance science and cultural learning opportunities."
Read more in an article by Meaghan Mitchel (January 2, 2017):
http://sfbayview.com/2017/01/bayview-community-celebrates-newly-renovated-hilltop-park/
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Portland Librarian Searches for Rare Sundial
UPDATE...Portland's long lost CREHORE SUNDIAL could be anywhere... Watch WCSH CHANNEL 6 NEWS to learn about the search:
http://www.wcsh6.com/mb/home/portland-maine-s-long-lost-sundial-could-be-anywhere/59670712
In The Forecaster, the digital paper of Portland, Maine, Collin Ellis describes the mystery around a missing sundial made more than a century ago. Albert Crehore from Yonkers, NY developed an entire theory of sundials ... all on his own, relates Fred Sawyer, president of NASS, and he received US Patent 794,787 in 1905 for the design. Three known dials are in the NASS website Registry: #327 Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; #445 Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; and #681 Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. A fourth dial, now owned by Derek Boston (of the UK) was originally made for Sir William Preece and his estate in Carnarvon, Wales. According to records, at least two other dials were installed in Yonkers, New York,Northwest University in Evanston, Illinois and in Portland, Maine.
It is this last one that Samantha Duckworth is trying to find somewhere in the greater Portland area in time for the North American Sundial Society conference to be held there June 23-26, 2016. Collin Ellis in The Forecaster writes, "Duckworth, who began the search last August, said she started by speaking with garden societies in the area. Then they began searching the library's collection and historical records for any mention of the dial. Then she moved to the Main Historical Society. Then to real estate agents who may have seen it in a private home. Then to antique appraisers.... But so far, no luck." "Talking to people and trying to ferret out these things, that maybe the owner of a home looks at every morning is really cool work," Duckworth said.
Has anyone seen this dial? Read more at: http://www.theforecaster.net/portland-librarian-hopes-to-shine-light-on-rare-sundials-whereabouts/
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Cranford Dial Needed Help - Now it is Gone
The North American Sundial Society likes to record public sundials that are in good or excellent condition. NASS Dial #797 in Cranford, New Jersey is a sad exception. In 1972 the Kiwanis Club of Cranford presented a 15-foot (5m) diameter sundial to Union College as an expression of interest in the college and the youth of Cranford. But the years have taken a toll where it sits adjacent to the William Miller Sperry Observatory. The dais stonework mortar has given way and the concrete dial face has deteriorated.
A plan to restore the dial was underway in late 2015. Dr. Stephen D. Nacco, of Union County College, Vice President, Administrative Services & Executive Assistant to the President set up a Sundial Fund under the Union County College Foundation, a 501(c )3 not-for-profit organization. Donations can be made online via the Web Site, http://www.uccfoundation.org/give.html with the donor selecting GIVE ONLINE NOW. Choose Donation Type "Other", and then put “Sundial” in the Additonal Comments Area as the reason for the donation.
Update:
Union County College considered a plan to restore or reconstruct the dial and there was a community fundraising effort. In 2019 UCC directed the demolition of the dial and stonework, leaving a gravel patch 15 feet in diameter. The Kiwanis plaque, the cardinal points, and the rest of the dial were, as Dr. Althos Brewer Vice President for Administrative Services at UCC wrote in an email (May 09, 2019), "I am responding on behalf of President McMenamin in regards to the contents of the Sun Dial. After further research into the matter, the contents from the demolition have been disposed."
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