The story behind our Heron statue is a testament to the magic of community and artistic collaboration. This magnificent wood carving, crafted by the talented Josh Blewett, found its way into the hands of Sue Svenson, the mayor of Long Beach and one of our cherished artists. In a twist of fate, Sue won the Heron in a raffle, having purchased just four tickets while others spent hundreds, yearning for this beautiful piece.

Surprised and delighted, Sue pondered where to place the Heron. Should it grace the entrance of the Peninsula Arts Association? Around this time, Greg was discussing with David Allsup the creation of a metal heron for their shop's front. When Sue heard about this, she generously offered to donate the carving to BOLD. Inspired by this gesture, Greg asked David to craft reeds for the Heron to nestle between.

The result is a stunning piece of artwork, a harmonious blend of different artistic disciplines, brought together to create something truly special for the Long Beach community. This Heron statue stands as a symbol of creativity, generosity, and the power of collaboration, enriching our community with its beauty and the story it tells.