Editor’s Note: This is the final part in our five-part series on public art in the Tahoe Sierra. Read the first four parts at TheTahoeWeekly.com.
On your next drive around the northwestern side of the lake, be sure to keep an eye out for these photogenic pieces of art along the way from Carnelian Bay to Meek’s Bay and back up to Highway 89 heading toward Truckee.
Read Part I, II III & IV
Use our Public Art map to create your own art tour
North Shore
Sierra Boat Company mural
5146 N Lake Blvd.
In Carnelian Bay, one may notice a full-size mural on the side of the Sierra Boat Company. Owner Herb Hall says that they hired local mural artist Susie Alexander to do it about 20 years ago when she came along at the right time.
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“I remember the TRPA was requiring us to change the color of our building, so we were looking at different siding options and right around that time Susie came in and said she’d love to do a mural on that wall. We had that whole wall done in a stucco material with acrylic, and she sketched up a quick rendering and off she went. She is this small woman and ran a scissor lift and had an assistant; it was amazing at the speed that she moved,” Hall says.
Tahoe Cross Country Center totem
925 Country Club Drive
About a quarter mile up the main trail at the cross-country center, a colorful friendly totem pole lets people know they’re on the right track. The Center also has a small wooden Doug Read arrow hanging on a tree near its entrance.
Doug Read Arrow
2923 Lake Forest Road
Over in Lake Forest, the Sugar Pine Cakery also has a Doug Read arrow, this version being a large metal one that looks like it was shot straight from the sky. As you drive in the parking lot, look down at the pavement, Sugar Pine painted bright red hearts on the ground back in April as social distancing markers.
Tahoe City
“Ursa Mater” aka Penny Bear
570 N. Lake Blvd.
Back in 2018, Tahoe Public Art commissioned Robert and Lisa Ferguson to bring their “Ursa Mater” sculpture to the Tahoe Sierra. It is comprised of 200,000 pennies (some of them Canadian ones) and it stands at 12 feet tall with 6-foot-tall bear cubs and stands in Heritage Plaza. It’s a popular place to take pictures with friends and family.
“Big Tree” sculpture
560 N. Lake Blvd.
For more than 125 years a gigantic pine tree stood over the main street of Tahoe City. However, the tree’s health began to decline severely due to the pavement encroaching into its space and reckless drivers running into it and in 1998 the dying tree was cut down. But its memory lives on thanks to the Rotary Club of Tahoe City commissioning artist Randy Oertle to carve a timeless rendition of the tree in 2008. The sculpture now stands near Watson Cabin on the lakeside of the street.
The Cobblestone Center Mural
475 N. Lake Blvd.
Built in 1966, The Cobblestone Center in the middle of Tahoe City is reminiscent of a Bavarian village complete with a clocktower. Owners Dan and Joan Hauserman had spent some time in Europe and made their quaint outdoor shopping mall come to life. As you pull in, look at the mural on the wall above Scraps.
Blue Agave totems
425 N. Lake Blvd.
The bright staunch totem poles that stand in front of Blue Agave date back to the 1930s when the movie “Rose Marie” was shot at Emerald Bay. Tahoe Inn Owner “Pop” Bechdolt catered the food for the cast and brought back these props, which remain in front of the Blue Agave today. For more information go into the restaurant and look at the pictures and read more of the story on the wall.
North Tahoe Arts scarecrow
380 N. Lake Blvd.
In front of the North Tahoe Arts Center, a wooden sculpture beckons visitors inside to gaze and shop for art pieces made by local creators. The sculpture was created at least a decade ago by a resident participating in a Scarecrows on Parade event sponsored by the Tahoe City Downtown Association.
Truckee River Raft Company mural
185 West River Road
Driving into Tahoe City from Highway 89 heading eastbound, a full size mural on the side of the Truckee River Raft Company shows a scene of people having fun on the water on (likely) a hot summer day. There are rumors about how long it’s been there and who painted it, but what we do know is that Nick Fuller bought the building in the 1970s and converted what was once the 76 Station into the popular rafting company. He died in 2008 and his three children now run it. One of them can verify that it’s been there since at least 2002.
Bridgetender Tavern Gatekeeper
65 West Lake Blvd.
The Bridgetender Tavern originally opened in 1977 and moved across the street to its current location next to the Truckee River bridge in 2002. The tavern’s general manager, Patty, says that she always remembers the wooden sculpture being around, and at least during the last 36 years that she’s been there. The bridge tender/gatekeeper “definitely tended the bridge and always had his pipe and fishing pole,” she says. Bridgetender staff gives him a new coat of paint every year but I think his fishing pole has been retired.
West Shore
Galis Dungals
Sugar Pine Point & D.L. Bliss
On a visit to Sugar Pine Point State Park in Tahoma, be sure to stop by the Visitors Center and climb into the traditional Washo winter shelter otherwise known as the galis dungal. Shelters were made by stacking poles, brush, bark and animal hides into a tent formation to keep Indian Americans safe from Tahoe’s blizzardy winter weather. A galis dungal is also located at the start of the Balancing Rock trail at D.L. Bliss State Park, which reopens in late spring.
Truckee River
Truckee River Sewer Pipe
1 mile from the Lake Tahoe dam
Those who’ve ever rafted the Truckee River years back may remember the piles of sticky gum that was stuck to bottom of the sewer pipe just outside of Tahoe City as they floated toward River Ranch. In 2015, the Tahoe City PUD decided to do something about the eyesore and enlisted the help of Tahoe Public Art and artist Stephane Cellier from Virginia City to repaint the pipe depicting something much more pleasing. Now rafters can enjoy the view of what looks like an aquarium filled with fish on the 38-ft. pipe.
Olympic Valley
The Village at Squaw Valley
The Village at Squaw Valley has fountains, statues and sculptures all around, some easier to find than others. Next to Rocker restaurant and across from The Slot, a Snowshoe Thompson statue pays homage to the Tahoe’s original Sierra Viking. Walk toward the tram and next to it you’ll see a tall wooden sculpture of kids playing carved out of stump. Head toward the KT-22 chairlift and at the top of Eagle’s Nest, the rock formation that juts out from the top of its peak, there’s a large metal eagle that was created by Hansi Standteiner. It is accessible to view year-round and was built as a memorial to the late Shane McConkey.
Le Chamois is also a popular place to hang out after spending the day on the slopes. Sit in the Adirondack-looking chairs made of snow skis around a fire pit that has metal sculptures in it to help distribute the heat. In the grassy area behind the bar sits a retired bullwheel from the Squaw Peak lift used to help transport skiers and riders up to the top of the mountain. Weighing 10,000 pounds of cast iron steel, it used to be the largest bullwheel of its kind in North America in 1949.
Sierra Valley Barn Quilts
Spread throughout Sierra Valley from Sattley to Loyalton, one may notice the beautifully rugged barn quilts that add a touch of color to homes, restaurants, businesses, barns and more while honoring Sierra Valley’s history. Barn quilts are generally 2’x2’ but can be customized in any size or any design; visit svbarnquilts.org for more information or to download a barn quilt tour map.
