Public Art

Port of San Diego Appoints New Public Art Director

jgilmore@portofsandiego.org (John Gilmore (619) 686-7206) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:54:08 +0000

The Port of San Diego has named Yvonne Wise as the agency’s Public Art Director.

Wise, who has more than 15 years of experience in the public sector and arts education, joined the Port in 2007 as a Public Art Manager. She has been the Acting Public Art Director since January.

Before moving to San Diego, Wise served as the City of Philadelphia’s Public Art Director.

As a manager for the Port District’s public art program, Wise has supervised a variety of public art installations, including Oppenheim’s Engagement, Abakanowicz’s Walking Figures and an exhibition of eight Bernar Venet sculptures.

Wise, who has an extensive background in government arts programs, arts advocacy and community service, represents the Port on the City of San Diego’s Public Art Committee. She is currently reviewing recommendations for revision of the Port’s Public Art master plan to establish priorities and build a framework for the future. Wise holds a Master’s degree in fine art and dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and fine art.

The Port’s Public Art Program was established in 1996 to promote a healthy, vibrant environment that contributes to the quality and identity of the region. The Port currently owns and displays a diverse collection of artworks which can be viewed on tidelands in San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and National City. Since its inception, the program has complemented the character of the Port’s five member cities by supporting cultural tourism and economic development.

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Sculpture Honors San Diego's Tuna Cannery Workers

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:38:42 +0000

At the corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway and Crosby Road in San Diego, a sculpture on a tiny piece of land pays tribute to Anna Kenniston and the thousands of workers who earned their living in the tuna industry.

Kenniston and others who once were employed in the tuna canneries that lined the San Diego Bay waterfront came together on Sept. 26 for the dedication of the Port of San Diego art sculpture honoring the people who worked in the tuna industry that thrived in the area from the early 1900s to the mid 1980s.

Documentary on Cannery Workers

“My wife is a celebrity today,” said James Kenniston. Anna, his wife of 67 years, worked for Bumble Bee Seafoods 40 years, packing and cleaning tuna.

“It’s nice to be remembered,” Anna Kenniston said. “The sculpture is beautiful.”

Titled “The Cannery Workers Tribute at Parque del Sol,” the piece includes bronze figures of tuna industry workers. A stainless steel arch of tuna symbolizes the connection between the workers and the decades that San Diego was known as the tuna capital of the world.

Photo slideshow

The canneries were the lifeblood of the region from 1911 to 1984. At its height in the early 1950s, the industry generated $65 million annually for the local economy and employed more than 17,000 workers.

“The artists captured what the tuna industry was all about,” said Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, vice-chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

“The canneries taught a work ethic. It was hard, physically demanding work. And yet, the workers liked their jobs because their co-workers were their friends, neighbors and family members,” he said at the dedication ceremony.

He spoke from experience. Ten of his family members, including his mother, worked in the Van Camp and Bumble Bee canneries. San Diego City Council President Ben Hueso and former port commissioner Frank Urtasun also spoke about their family members who had worked in the canneries.

The artwork is located at the southwest corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway and Crosby Road (map). Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding/Continental Maritime, a ship repair company, donated the site which is across the street from Cesar Chavez Park.

The site was the location where many workers took their breaks. During the 1970s, former cannery maintenance worker Roberto Carrero and co-workers dug a hole and planted a small tree. This, now large, coral tree was incorporated into the artwork.

“I’m going to bring my grandkids here, show them the sculpture, and tell them my cannery stories,” said Carrero.

The artwork is a joint project between the Port of San Diego and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding/Continental Maritime. It was created by artists Valerie Salatino, and Nancy Moran of Nature Works, Inc., an Escondido sculpture firm, with assistance from Sheila Moran. The artwork incorporates several elements that tell the story of the cannery workers.

A geometric mosaic sun and low mosaic wall that encircles the coral tree signifies the name of the artwork’s site, “Parque del Sol,” and also honors the employees of Sun Harbor Industries who years ago dedicated the coral tree.

There are four bronze plaques embossed with stories of the workers and the history of the canneries. The plaques also honor the diverse cultures of the Italian, Portuguese, Hispanic and Japanese employees of the canneries. The plaques are mounted on parts of cannery machinery.

“This artwork will educate future generations about the importance the tuna industry played in the development of San Diego,” said Urtasun.

During the dedication, historical exhibits illustrating the story of the tuna industry were on display from the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego, Logan Heights Historical Cannery Society, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and Portuguese Research & Education, Inc. The Port of San Diego also hosted an information booth.

Frank Koide manned the Japanese American Historical Society of San Diego booth. He told his story of growing up living on Fish Camp, a pier on San Diego Bay, while his mother worked in a cannery and his father was a fisherman.

“I worked in a cannery, and also fished for a few years. I found out that the work was too hard so I went to college,” he said.

Many guests attending the dedication ceremony were grateful that the hard work of their parents in the canneries provided them an opportunity for higher education.

“My father, Manuel “Acapulco” Leyva, put six kids through college from his job at the cannery,” said Manuel Leyva, Jr. “He loved his job, his family, and had a great life. All his kids are grateful to him.”

Vice Chairman Valderrama said he hoped people attending the dedication who had family members that had worked in the canneries would visit the Cannery Workers Tribute at Parque Del Sol often to remember their loved ones.

He also said that it saddened him that so many people that worked there didn’t live long enough to see this tribute to their work.

“And for those of you with us who worked in the canneries, thank you for your hard work and dedication,” he said.

Port, City Officials to Dedicate Artwork that Pays Homage to San Diego’s Tuna Cannery Workers

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:17:07 +0000

A public art project honoring the thousands of San Diegans who worked in the once-thriving tuna canning industry will be dedicated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.

"The Cannery Workers Tribute – Parque del Sol," is located at the southwest corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway and Crosby Road. The site was the location where many workers took a break from the canneries that were housed in what is now the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding/Continental Maritime property.

Board of Port Commissioners Vice Chair Robert “Dukie” Valderrama will serve as the emcee of the dedication ceremony. Commissioner Valderrama has 10 family members who worked in the Van Camp and Bumble Bee canneries. Also participating in the ceremony is District 8 Council member Ben Hueso. Council member Hueso grew up in the neighborhood where the canneries once stood. Former Port Commissioner Frank Urtasun, whose mother worked in one of the canneries, will also be participating.

From 1912 to 1986, the property was occupied by tuna canning companies such as Premier Packing Company, International Packing Corporation, Van Camp Packing Company, Westgate Sea Products Company, Hopkins Inc., Westgate-California Foods and Bumble Bee Seafoods. Other nearby canneries included the California Tuna Canning Company and High Seas Tuna Pack Company.

“I grew up with tuna fishermen and cannery workers in my neighborhood so this project is very special to me,” said Stephen P. Cushman, Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “I’m proud to have been involved with it from the beginning. It’s a fitting tribute to the men and women who contributed so much to our region.”

At the height of the tuna cannery success, the industry brought $65 million in annual economic impact to the San Diego region and employed more than 17,000 people. Each year, approximately 800 ships brought tuna from the sea right up to the canneries’ back doors. Familiar brands like “Chicken of the Sea”, “Starkist”, and “Breast ‘O Chicken” were packed in the San Diego canneries.

The artwork is a joint project between the Port of San Diego and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding/Continental Maritime. Created by artists Valerie Salatino and Nancy Moran of Nature Works, Inc., an Escondido sculpture firm, with assistance from Sheila Moran, the artwork incorporates several elements that tell the story of the cannery workers.

The artwork includes bronze figures of a female and two male workers. One of the males is crouched down with a basket of tuna fish. The style of his clothing suggests the time period of the 1940s. The other male is standing across from him, appearing to catch fish. He is dressed as a worker from the 1960s. The female worker stands ready to clean the tuna fish she carries. Her uniform is consistent with the 1920s. A stainless steel arch of tuna leaps above the two male workers. The arch symbolizes the connection between the workers and the tuna symbolize nearly eighty years of work at the canneries.

The artwork also includes a coral tree encircled with a geometric mosaic sun and low mosaic wall. This represents the seating area where employees used to take their breaks. The sun in the artwork signifies the name of the artwork’s site, “Parque del Sol,” and also honors the employees of Sun Harbor Industries who dedicated the coral tree years ago.

The landscaping of “Parque del Sol” was carefully selected to complement the artwork. Grass, textured and colored paving, accent trees and a bamboo hedge are used. The bamboo hedge represents the bamboo fishing poles once used in the tuna industry. A sea and sand walkway utilizes colors of the beach and the ocean. The line of the walkway creates a water-like path to the bronze plaques. The Daedalus Design Group, of Carlsbad, California, designed the landscaping.

“The Cannery Workers Tribute” art project underwent significant public outreach before the final design was selected. In late 2004, the Port of San Diego’s Public Art Department issued a request for proposals for artists to submit ideas and models. Twenty entries were received. Four semi-finalists were selected by the Port’s Public Art Committee and an exhibit of the four scale models, renderings and material samples was displayed for public viewing at various locations.

Following a one-month period of public review and comment, the Board of Port Commissioners selected Nature Works, Inc., to create the final artwork.

The Port’s Public Art Program was created in 1996 to promote an enriching atmosphere that contributes to the quality and identity of the region. The Port enacted the first “percent for art” program in San Diego County, dedicating a portion of revenues each year toward a public art fund that is used for the acquisition and maintenance of public artworks on Port tidelands.

New Urban Trees Exhibit Premieres

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:54:47 +0000

There’s a new “crop” of Urban Trees along the North Embarcadero of San Diego Bay. The Urban Trees 6 “plantings” include sculptures of an American eagle to thank our nation's troops, man’s best friend to remind people that dogs bring joy, and a giant popcorn box filled with chickens to bring smiles to passersby.

The 30 trees from 30 artists range from serious to lighthearted, whimsical to abstract. What many have in common is that they are kinetic, attracting attention as they move with the wind.

“The North Embarcadero is about the wind and the light,” said Cathy Coverley, an artist who primarily works with glass. “I wanted to make use of that.”

The tree she designed, "Wind & Shadow," is wind-activated. The blue and yellow canopy, bearing multi-colored glass disks, rotates with the direction of the breeze and casts colorful patterns and ever-changing shadows on the pavement below. Shimmering in the light, the glass disks portray different phases of the moon and are keyed to the changing tides.

Near the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Cathy Ann Jane’s ‘Thank You’ features a dog-tag clad eagle that pays tribute to the service and sacrifices of the men and women in the U.S. military. It represents those serving now, as well as generations past.

“I’m receiving hugs today from many appreciative moms,” said Janes at the September 12 grand opening of the exhibit that brought hundreds of art fans to the waterfront.

“It’s lovely that the artists are here today,” said Deralyn Kaheny of San Diego. “It’s interesting to talk to the artists and discuss the ideas behind the creations.”

She came with multiple generations of her family for the opening day of the Port’s sixth Urban Trees exhibit.

Her granddaughter was busy peering through the lenses of ‘OKTOscope,’ a telescopic kaleidoscope created by artist Stove Riggs that was designed to show the “current reality of the universe based on a Hawaiian myth of origin.”

At the opening ceremony, Port Commissioner Michael Bixler, who is chairman of the Port’s Public Art Committee, and Port Commissioner Scott Peters, who represents San Diego, thanked the artists for enlivening the waterfront and drawing residents and visitors to the North Embarcadero.

Near the Cruise Ship Terminal, a ten-foot-tall red and white striped popcorn box filled with yellow chickens asks that spectators ponder ‘Popcorn Chicken.’

“I wanted to do a piece which appeals to children as well as adults,” said Bonn Liang, a visual/performing arts major at San Diego City College. “Who knows? Maybe some kids that see this will become future Urban Tree artists.”

He handed out bags of popcorn to all visitors that stopped at his tree. “I want people to look at this and say ‘Oh my, that is so funny.’

Neal and Tiffany Bociek’s "SIC’Emore (doggie tree)" kinetic sculpture featuring images of dog breeds also brings a fun spirit to the waterfront. The dogs swivel in the wind, and the yellow toy poodle image that tops the tree functions as a weather vane.

“We wanted to remind people that dogs bring laughter and joy,” the couple said. Their toy poodle Riley, the inspiration for this tree, was also in attendance.

The trees will remain “planted” for one year in large concrete planters. The Port began a series of Urban Trees exhibits in 2003.

“Being a part of previous Urban Trees exhibits has helped my art career phenomenally,” said sculptor Amos Robinson, who was participating for the fifth time. His sculpture for Urban Trees 6, ‘SWEET MUSIC,’ shows a musician serenading his graceful partner who responds with joyous dance.

“Where can you get a better location than this?” he said while at his tree. “This is as good as it gets.”

Robinson has had a boost in business since participating in Urban Trees exhibits. He’s received phone calls and e-mails from throughout the United States and Japan from visitors who have viewed his work along San Diego Bay.

Artists may sell their trees at the end of the exhibit.

The Port of San Diego has purchased several trees from each exhibit for its permanent public art collection. The trees are being relocated to parks and public spaces around San Diego Bay.

An anonymous benefactor purchased 10 Urban Trees from previous exhibits and donated them to the sculpture gardens at Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla and Encinitas.

Other Urban Trees have found homes at the Chula Vista Library Civic Center Branch and the Chula Vista Nature Center.

Last year, artist Jennifer Cannon donated her Urban Tree, "One With the Wave," to the City of Imperial Beach. It is located on Palm Avenue near the beginning of the Silver Strand Highway.

It’s anticipated that millions of people will view Urban Trees 6 during the ’09-’10 season. They will include international travelers who arrive or depart from the Cruise Ship Terminal.

“There’s something here for everyone,” said Kaheny. “I bring all my visitors to the waterfront throughout the year to view the latest round of Urban Trees.”

For information on purchasing an Urban Tree, call the Port's Public Art Department at 619-686-7246.

North Embarcadero is Blooming with New Urban Trees

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:26:28 +0000

A giant box of popcorn overflows with oversized baby chicks. A couple of feet away, a giant tuning fork with wavy branches points out toward the sea. Just a few yards from that, three spotted frogs frolic up a game board that swirls to the sky. It sounds like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland”, but in reality, it’s part of the Port of San Diego’s Urban Trees 6 exhibit.

(View our interactive Google Map.)

Urban Trees is the popular public art project that the Port started in 2003. In the project, artists are asked to submit a model of what their idea of an urban tree would be. The Port’s Public Art Committee picks 30 of these to be made into life-sized sculptures that would be exhibited on the north embarcadero of San Diego Bay for a period of one year. Artists are given a base and a pole to serve as the tree’s “trunk” and are given a stipend of $2,500 to use for materials. The artists can choose any type of materials to fasten to the pole and base to create their trees.

The Port recently completed installing the new sculptures and will officially dedicate them in a public ceremony at 10 a.m., on Saturday, September 12, 2009 in front of the Port’s B Street Cruise Ship Terminal, 1140 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. The event will feature entertainment, refreshments and the “Urban Trees Challenge” contest where participants can win prizes for answering questions related to the Urban Trees 6 artworks.

This year’s exhibit of Urban Trees is diverse and creative. There isn’t a common theme and each tree is completely unique. There are abstract sculptures that have nothing arboreal about them. There are some that resemble old industrial machines, and some that are sleek and shiny. Some of them relay messages about protecting the environment and protecting the ocean. Others are simply fun and lighthearted.

“Urban Trees 6 promises to be just as innovative as our past exhibits,” said Yvonne Wise, who oversees the Port’s public art program. “The project really contributes to the uniqueness of our bay front and helps to brand it as a destination.”

The Port’s Public Art Program was created in 1996 to promote a healthy, vibrant atmosphere that contributes to the quality and identity of the region. The Port enacted the first “percent for art” program in San Diego County, dedicating a portion of revenues each year toward a public art fund that is used for the acquisition and maintenance of public artworks on Port tidelands.

Port of San Diego ‘Planting’ Urban Trees

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:34:26 +0000

The new crop of the Port of San Diego’s Urban Trees is beginning to blossom along the Embarcadero. Chester Wamsley, equipment operator with the Port’s General Services Department, has been busy “planting” this week, installing one-third of the 30 new artworks that make up Urban Trees 6.

The sixth edition is due to be officially dedicated during a ceremony that will be open to the public on September 12. The Port's Public Art Program conceived the temporary exhibit six years ago to add to the already postcard views of San Diego’s waterfront. Artists were invited to apply their creative talents to the design of artistic trees to add color, form, interest and fun to the waterfront.

On Friday, August 21, artist Todd Williams had his turn in the planting spotlight. His Urban Tree, titled "Synthesis" was carefully guided into its planter just north of the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal.

"Installation day is always exciting and (I’m) nervous," Williams said.

His 300-pound sculpture, which stands 12-feet tall and 9-feet wide, is made of bronze and stainless steel. It was created to "combine industrial urban elements with organic elements. It compliments the city while looking like it came from nature," he said.

Williams used his own body weight and bare hands to form the metal as opposed to tools. "Like a tree in nature, nothing is absolutely perfect,” he said. It took 30 days for him to create “Synthesis” at a studio in Northern California. It was then transported to San Diego for the exhibit.

Williams found out about the Urban Trees project from a co-worker, Frank Cota. On installation day, Cota donned a hard hat and helped his friend guide the tree into its “home” on the waterfront for the next year.

"This is an unusual opportunity to have a venue like this and an audience of this size," he said.

The installation took about 30 minutes, with Wamsley at the helm of a huge crane, carefully lifting the tree from the flatbed truck, then hoisting it across the Embarcadero walkway (blocked off to pedestrians for safety) and finally guiding it into its planter. Wamsley said this time of the year for him is “the most fun,” but it does have its challenges.

"The hardest part is figuring out how to pick them up," Wamsley said of the unique trees. "I’ve planted about 90 of them over the past three years. The most challenging tree so far was ‘Slice’ by Linda Joanou (from Urban Trees 4.)"

When asked which of the 90 were his favorite, he picked "My Bike" by Amos Robinson, which was recently purchased by the Port’s Public Art program and will soon be sited on tidelands adjacent to the Coronado bike path.

Many former Urban Trees are available for purchase. Interested buyers can contact the Port of San Diego’s Public Art Department, at 619-686-7246, who will put the potential buyer in touch with the artist. The Port does not have any involvement in the sale or price negotiations, nor does it receive any percentage of the sale.

“If we can help the artist find a customer, that’s a win for everyone,” said Allan Tait, project manager in the Public Art Department. "We’re interested in seeing the artist attain some level of success through the Urban Trees program. The high-visibility venue on the Embarcadero gives the artists a fantastic opportunity for their work to be viewed."

Art, culture and community accessibility to San Diego Bay are top priorities for the Port of San Diego. The Port's Public Art Program is an important element of this vision. Urban Trees can be found stretching for a half-mile along Harbor Drive from the Cruise Ship Terminal to Hawthorn Street.

Once his sculpture was in place, Williams smiled wide and said, "To see it all come together - creating something like that with no right angles – to see it fit in its niche is pretty rewarding."

New Crop of Urban Trees Coming to San Diego's Embarcadero

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:46:24 +0000

Urban Trees 5 Going Up For Sale

The Port of San Diego’s sixth installment of Urban Trees will soon be lining the San Diego bayfront. Thirty new sculptures have been selected for Urban Trees 6 and will be “planted” for a half-mile along Harbor Drive from the Cruise Ship Terminal to Hawthorn Street during the month of August. Once in place, the artworks will call the Embarcadero home for one year.

The Port's Public Art Program conceived the temporary exhibit six years ago to add to the already postcard views of San Diego’s waterfront. Artists were invited to apply their creative talents to the design of artistic trees to add color, form, interest and fun to the waterfront.

The new grove will feature 30 new works of art, such as Linda Joanou’s “Rolling Wilbur,” a hand-cranked kinetic sculpture with chrome ball bearings that activate bells and chimes; Catherine Carlton’s “Chemis-Tree,” an aluminum double-helix intended as a tribute to the region’s bio-tech research. There’s also Cathy Ann Janes’ “Thank You,” featuring a dog-tag clad eagle that pays tribute to the service and sacrifices of our military personnel.

The current artworks that make up the Urban Trees 5 exhibit will be removed beginning August 3. The new trees will be dedicated on Saturday, September 12. All of the artworks from past exhibits are available for purchase. The trees range in price from $5,000 to $90,000.

Many Urban Trees from past exhibits have found new homes in private, corporate and community settings as well as with private collectors. Interested buyers can contact the Port of San Diego’s Public Art Department, at 619-686-7246, who will put the potential buyer in touch with the artist. The Port does not have any involvement in the sale or price negotiations, nor does it receive any percentage of the sale.

“If we can help the artist find a customer, that’s a win for everyone,” said Allan Tait, project manager in the Public Art Department. “We’re interested in seeing the artist attain some level of success through the Urban Trees program. Even though we pay them a nominal loan fee, in many cases it does not cover the price of their materials. But this is a high-visibility venue on the Embarcadero and it gives the artists a fantastic opportunity for their work to be viewed.”

Ten urban trees from the previous three exhibits have been purchased and donated to the sculpture gardens at Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla and Encinitas. Other urban trees have found new homes including the Chula Vista Library Civic Center Branch, the Chula Vista Nature Center as well as in Manhattan Beach.

Along with the Urban Trees, tourists and residents can enjoy other attractions including the Greatest Generation military heritage public art collection at the G Street Mole, the USS Midway, the San Diego Maritime Museum, San Diego Harbor Excursion, Hornblower Cruises and Events and outstanding waterfront dining, including 100 entrees under $18.

Art, culture and community accessibility to San Diego Bay are top priorities for the Port of San Diego. The Port's Public Art Program is an important element of this vision.

A Tribute to Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories

gbatuyon@portofsandiego.org (John Gilmore (619) 686-6222, [Photos] Dale Frost) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:59:52 +0000

Bob Hope, the beloved figure who serenaded millions of men and women in the Armed Forced for more than five decades with his signature song, "Thanks for the Memories," is still making memories.

His latest came today, July 8, 2009, at the dedication of a military artwork: “A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military,” which includes a bronze sculpture of the famed entertainer and 15 bronze figures representing the branches of the military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Linda Hope, the entertainer’s daughter, said before the ceremony in the shadows of the USS Midway, that her dad came to San Diego often during World War II to entertain the sailors. In fact, she said in the interview, a few days before the ceremony, she listened to old radio show tapes of his San Diego visits.

Through the tribute to her father, Hope said, “I just hope people realize his relationship to the military and the sense of commitment that dad had to the nation’s military men and women.”

More than 100 people attended the dedication of the artwork made possible by the Port of San Diego, the Hope family and members of a Navy task force called Taffy 3 (Task Unit 77.4.3), a group of World War II veterans who helped raise the $1.5 million for the project that was first conceived more than 15 years ago.

Included in the audience were Eugene Daub, picked by the Hope family to create the Bob Hope Sculpture, and Stephen Whyte, who created eight of the military figures.

Members of the Taffy 3 group, who survived the hellish attack during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, were among those attending the ceremony that featured music by the Marine Corps Band and the presentation of the colors by a Navy color guard.

Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, Vice Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, served as master of ceremonies. He introduced many of those in attendance, including the four members of the Taffy 3 group.

“I salute you for your service,” Valderrama told the survivors.

The battle the Taffy 3 group fought was described by Valderrama as the greatest Navy battle in U.S. history, 895 service personnel died. Five ships among the 13 that were in the battle, were sunk. Jack Yusen, 83, of Bellvue, Wash., and president of the Taffy 3 contingent, was among those attending and one of those who fought on that day.

His ship, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, was sunk in the battle on Oct. 25, 1944. But before the ship went down, Yusen said his ship took out two Japanese cruisers. Half the crew of nearly 200 perished. Twelve were eaten by sharks, Yusen said.

“We lost a lot of guys who drank salt water, hallucinated and drifted off,” he said.

The St. Louis Cardinals figured in the rescue of Yusen and his shipmates.

A rescue ship conducting a night-time search for survivors came upon Yusen and the others. Yusen had been in the water three days.

Someone aboard the vessel shouted to the men in the water, asking what ship they were from.

“The USS Samuel Roberts,” they yelled.

“Who won the world series?” came the reply.

“The St. Louis Cardinals,” they answered.

Although he never saw Hope entertain in person, Yusen speaks fondly of the entertainer.

“Bob Hope was an exceptional man,” Yusen said. “He loved guys in the military. He called them ‘my kids.’”

The tribute is located a few yards from San Diego Bay. The tree-shaded display resembles a setting that became so familiar to millions of Americans: Bob Hope smiling over a group of service personnel, in this case, the 15 bronze life-sized figures.

Bob Hope’s son, Kelly, who attended the event, said that he hoped that many people will visit the tribute to his father and the military personnel and remember the sacrifices that were made by so many.

Said Hope: “For all those who pass by, may they stop, reflect and remember.”

Photo Gallery

Bob Hope’s Family to Join Port of San Diego Celebration, Dedication of Public Artwork

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:43:59 +0000

Bob Hope, the legendary star who entertained millions of troops over a span of five decades, is now immortalized in bronze as part of a military tribute artwork called “A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military.”

The artwork is located at the Port of San Diego’s G Street Mole, south of the USS Midway Museum. It also includes 15 life-sized bronze figures representing servicemen and women from the five branches of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Those sculptures were installed in the park in late 2006, but the Bob Hope figure was still in production.

Now that the artwork is complete, the Port of San Diego can officially dedicate it. A ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8 at the G Street Mole. Two of Hope’s children, Linda Hope and Kelly Hope, will join Board of Port Commissioners Vice Chair Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, Rear Admiral Len Hering, Commander, Navy Region Southwest and the men of Taffy 3, a group of World War II veterans who helped raise the money needed for the artwork.

The Taffy 3 members, along with their organization’s former leader, the late John Ibe, worked for more than 15 years to raise the $1.5 million needed for the artwork. Many of the men were in their late teens and early 20s when they survived a horrific attack on their group of ships during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on October 25, 1944.

“We owe this all to John Ibe,” said Jack Yusen, President of Taffy 3. “He’s the one who got this all started. Without his leadership, we wouldn’t be here today.”

There were 13 Navy vessels that fought during that battle and five of them were sunk, resulting in the loss of 895 lives.

“Many of us spent three days in shark-infested waters,” said Yusen.

With the support of Hope Enterprises, the group successfully lobbied for a memorial that would pay tribute to Bob Hope for his generous support of the U.S. military.

Eugene Daub of San Pedro, California, was hand-picked by the Hope family to create the likeness of Bob Hope. He and his business partners, Robert L. Firmin and Jonah Hendrickson sculpted seven of the military figures. Sculptor Steven Whyte of Carmel, California, sculpted the other eight military figures.

The Port of San Diego provided the site for the artwork, which is near other military artworks.

The Port is in the midst of officially declaring the area a “Greatest Generation Artwalk.” Recently the sidewalk was inscribed with quotes from notable leaders such as General Douglas MacArthur, Winston Churchill and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Poignant quotes include this 1940 passage from Winston Churchill: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” And the brief but powerful line by General MacArthur: “I shall return.”

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Ancient History Comes to the Waterfront as the Port Installs the Public Artwork “Penelope”

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:03:52 +0000

A new artwork depicting one of the most revered women in Greek mythology will be installed on the waterfront at the former Harbor Seafood Mart, just north of Seaport Village. “Penelope,” a six-foot tall woven bronze sculpture by Fallbrook artist Michael Stutz, will be installed on the public promenade, adjacent to the Port’s Embarcadero Planning Center at 585 Harbor Lane in San Diego (map). The installation will begin at approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

The six-foot tall sculpture depicts Penelope’s face and flowing hair. Stutz created the artwork using welded bronze strips, with a woven pattern that he associates with muscles and nerves and their potential for movement and feeling.

The woven pattern also recalls the story of Penelope. She was the wife of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, in the ancient epic Greek poem, “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is also referred to as Ulysses in Roman history. According to the story, while Odysseus was off fighting the 10-year Trojan War, Penelope remained at home, fighting off suitors. Everyone assumed her husband had been killed in the war.

One of the tricks that Penelope devised to keep the men away was to pretend to be weaving a burial shroud for Odysseus’s elderly father. She claimed that once she completed the shroud, she would choose a suitor. Every night she undid the weaving so that it would be impossible to finish.

“Penelope” will be bolted to a steel-reinforced concrete plinth with a cast wood-grain texture. The plinth features an inscription that explains the meaning of the sculpture. It reads: “Weaving by day, Penelope would be forced to choose a new husband when her tapestry was complete. But all the while she waited, unraveling her work by night, steadfastly sure of Ulysses’ return.”

Approved by the Port’s public art committee in May, 2007, “Penelope” was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners in January 2008. The overall cost of the artwork was approximately $69,000.

The Port has plans to develop a new park, Ruocco Park, at the site where “Penelope” will be installed. The anticipated construction date will be in late 2010. At that time, the artwork will be sited at another, to be determined location.