ARTIST’S STATEMENT for The Open Gate by Reagan Word.
Why the gate: The Tlaquepaque Bridge has historically been the gateway into Sedona. The gate motif is a welcoming transition between our spectacular eight-mile scenic highway and central Sedona.
Why the heron? For years, 30 of them now, my family and I have enjoyed seeing a Great Blue Heron peacefully wading in the creek north of the old bridge or flying above the trees. Missing glimpses of him and the creek made me want to feature a creek side atmosphere in the roundabout. I tried almost every animal indigenous to this area to be a part of the gate design. But, the Great Blue Heron just had to be the attendant at the gate.
