How 'Edina Sculptures' Book Came to Be

It’s interesting to reflect on the impact my high school days over 50 years ago had on my career as a photojournalist. I was the volunteer Editor of the Battle Lake High School “newspaper”, The Battler, back in the early ’60’s. I put newspaper in quotes because it was a mimeographed publication of about 10 pages created by a team of a half a dozen students. I can still smell the ink from that mimeograph machine.

Later, at Moorhead State, my newspaper interests intensified as I became the first person to major in Mass Communications when there wasn’t even a Communications Department at the college. I’m proud to say I had a hand in helping create that department while working my way through school as a Staff Writer for The Forum in Fargo-Moorhead. It wasn’t a quick four-year stint, either. The process took nine years since I didn’t want to be encumbered by huge student loan debts after graduation.

My first ‘gig’ after college was as Editor of Carib Magazine in the US Virgin Islands. I found out after arriving in the exotic island during Carnival week, no less, that I was not only the sole editor, the single reporter and only photographer, I was also the 'lonely' layout person, the singular headline writer and, in fact, I was The Entire Staff!   What an adventure.  It was before computers and I had no office, no phone, no car, no typewriter, no mail box. I obtained my stories by walking around and talking to people.  About a year later—having not once been to the beach due to my intense work schedule—I became Chief Photographer of the Daily News in Wahpeton-Breckenridge, a time I look back on with great fondness.

Little did I know when I quit that job a few years later to follow my dream of living in Europe that I’d end up freelancing for seven German newspapers.  I returned to Minnesota in 1994 after the fall of the Berlin Wall which precipitated the best untold story in Germany: the demise of thousands of small businesses.  (And that's another story!)

Over the decades, I often thought about writing and publishing a book. Well, I obviously waited long enough. A couple of years ago at the suggestion of my daughter Andrea, who heads her own graphic design firm in Seattle, I bought a Mac Book Pro at the Southdale in Edina.

It didn’t take long to discover my favorite feature on my new laptop was iPhoto and in particular the ability to create and publish hard cover, glossy photo books. With our grandson’s sixth birthday looming followed closely by Father’s Day, I began secretly accumulating photos I'd taken from the time of Kieran’s birth to six years hence, particularly those with my husband, Arnie Bigbee.  The result was my first self published book: The Adventures of Kieran and Gramps.  It was a fun family hit. And I was firmly hooked on the practical, powerful, pretty, professional and price worthy presentation for my photographs.  

Now, two years later, I’ve produced 11 books ranging in topics from Mallard Island in Rainy Lake, to Storytellers and Drummers, learning to play the Native American flute, taking a hot air balloon ride for my 65th birthday, making my own Native American style drum at RedEagle Drums outside of Clitheral, MN, near my hometown of Ashby plus a couple of family celebration books.  And there are enough photos for three books in my Events file.

A few months after being appointed to the (EAC) Board of Directors last year, I volunteered to serve on the Edina Public Art Committee (EPAC) as a way to give back to the community.  It didn’t take long for me to realize as I often walked the Edina Promenade near our condo, that there had never been a book published about our city’s amazing public art sculptures.

I felt such a book would be of significant historic and cultural value to Edina residents, businesses and the art community. The resulting book, a 20-page glossy, professional hard cover publication, adds a unique and personal touch for coffee tables and waiting rooms of people connected to Edina. And, it’s a great gift. 

In addition, it provides a unique, interesting and pleasant way to ‘boast’ about our great city. Mayor Jim Hovland and his wife, LeRae Ellingson Hovland, thought so, too, and bought a copy. It’s perfect for Edina businesses who want to highlight some of the positive aspects of living and doing business here. I think it even creates an enticement for those looking to move here.  I'm thinking about all those Real Estate Agents in town.  Edina Sculptures makes a lovely and welcoming alternative to the ubiquitous outdated magazines in most healthcare and business waiting rooms.  

The book features individual, often single page photographs of each sculpture since the development of The Promenade with a brief introduction and information including artists’ names, titles of their sculptures, People’s Choice Awards plus those donated to the City with donors’ names.  The back cover features a stunning photo of The Pinecone by Chip Jones, located in the center of the Centennial Lakes Park maize. 

The book project was a team effort which encompassed over 50 hours of planning, editing, and writing, not counting the time it took to take the photographs.  Supplied photographs by other EPAC members came from Lois Ring, Committee Chair, who also wrote the introduction; Brad Benn (former EPAC member), Chip Jones as well as artists Marcia McEachron and Janey Westin.  I greatly appreciated the editorial assistance provided by Naomi Griffith (former EPAC member) and Ms. Ring.  It was a total volunteer achievement and great fun to produce.

Edina Sculptures: The Promenade and Grandview Square Park is currently featured in the Spring 2012 About Town. The book is sold at the Edina Art Center, (front reception desk) and the for $39.99 + tax.  Net proceeds from purchases go to a fund for EPAC.