Celebration returns historic George Tsutakawa Fountain to campus community
After working to raise more than $40,000 to restore the historic Tsutakawa fountain on campus, Seattle Central faculty and staff hosted 200 guests at a rededication ceremony on Thursday, June 4. The ceremony included a Japanese drumming performance called Taiko, as well as reflections from Seattle Central students and staff members. Members of sculptorGeorge Tsutakawa’s family, who were instrumental in renovating the fountain, also offered reflections on the rededication of the historic sculpture.
“This work of art signifies the dreams made available through community support of public education, and reminds us that maintaining opportunities for students and fostering their creativity opens doorways that we can never imagine,” said Ken Matsudaira, coordinator of the campus art gallery and a member of the renovation committee.
For the past two and a half years, a small but dedicated group of students, staff, faculty and community members has been diligently working to restore “Fountain,” created by Tsutakawa in 1973. Sculptor Gerald Tsutakawa, the artist’s son, and a team of Seattle Central facilities staff completed restoration work, bringing the sculpture back to life as a focal point for the college and community.
Read more about the history of the fountain here.