Artwork copyright Stan Peterson. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Passing White Horses, 1991

Stan Peterson
(American, born 1945)

Location: Roy Elementary School, Roy

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Passing White Horses is part of artist Stan Peterson's body of carved relief sculptures based on his memories growing up outside of Portland, Oregon. He based this piece on a scene he remembered while driving a long distance. He notes, "I watched the road and had other thoughts. Something white and large pulled at the side of my eye. I turned my attention from the road to look out the side window. I was passing white horses. They were approaching each other with slow, long legged elegance. When I looked in the rear view mirror, I saw that they had wrapped their necks around each other in a form of greeting."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Bethel School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Stan Peterson is an artist and wood carver who creates "freestanding short stories" in his sculptural compositions. He grew up in the rural outskirts of Portland, Oregon. For over thirty years, Peterson lived in the San Francisco area and facilitated art-making with adults who are disabled at Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California. In his own words: “Sometimes I think I’m just a woodpecker at heart.”