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This content was published: November 3, 2009. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Rock Creek dedicates restored Izquierdo sculpture Nov. 6

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Where: Building 2, North Atrium, Rock Creek Campus, 17705 N.W. Springville Road.

When: Noon, Friday, Nov. 6.

What: Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus will dedicate one of its recent art acquisitions, a four-foot steel bird sculpture by late Spanish artist and former PNCA faculty member Manuel Izquierdo. The dedication will coincide with a new exhibit of Izquierdo’s work, on loan from his daughter Sara, at the Helzer Art Gallery in Building 3 on campus. The exhibit will run from Nov. 4 to 27.

Why: The Izquierdo sculpture, “Flight of the Dove,” came to Rock Creek in poor condition, but was restored by three departments of the college. The PCC aviation department provided initial transportation to the campus; the welding department repaired significant damage from exposure and rust; and the auto collision department primed, painted, baked and clear-coated the piece.

That restoration took place over several months in collaboration with the Rock Creek art department. The “Flight of the Dove” will reside in Building 2, where the three technical departments are housed.

Who: Manuel Izquierdo passed away in July 2009 at age 86 and his work is represented by Laura Russo Gallery in Portland. Over the course of his working life he won numerous awards and exhibited his large body of work in hundreds of exhibitions along the West Coast.

The involvement of aviation, welding and auto collision departments in restoring The “Flight of the Dove” brings a smile to art department chair Mark Andres. In particular, he said, “I love the fact that the aviation department is involved with the restoration of a steel bird.”

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »