Our Story So Far:
Judith and Daniel Caldwell are artists living and working in Seattle, Washington. They are both university-trained in creating site-sensitive public artworks; Daniel at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and Judith at the University of Washington, Seattle. Their projects have been commissioned for schools, parks, transportation centers, and more.
A selection of these projects is listed below. All of the listed commissions were the result of original concepts researched and developed by Judith and Daniel Caldwell:
Selected Commissions:
The Hesutin Waterfall, 2017, Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. A nine foot tall bronze waterfall, climbed by Lamprey and flanked by bronze ‘basalt’ columns, graces the exterior entry of the new WSU building designed by GGLO Architects. A large weathered black circle on the wall and cast bronze labels contrast the original Nez Perce territory with the tiny amount of land ultimately ceded to the tribe in the Treaty of 1863.
Sacred Earth Circle, 2017, Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. The distinctive Corten-clad Meditation Pavilion at the Cultural Center features a well in the floor containing sacred earth provided by the Nez Perce tribe, covered with glass and surrounded by a ring of bronze castings which illustrate traditional Nez Perce beadwork.
The Eyes of the Elders, 2017, Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Beginning at the entrance to the Cultural Center, a cast bronze coyote eye emerges from a traditional Nez Perce corn husk bag. beginning a trail of 66 cast bronze eyes modeled after animals from Nez Perce mythology and from human beings who have made significant contributions to the welfare of the human species.
East and West Entry Panels, 2017, Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Both entrances to the Cultural Center are celebrated with tall, narrow stele, 80” x 24” x 1.50”, flame cut with text and imagery related to the Nez Perce tribes who originally inhabited the land upon which the University is constructed.
City of Payrolls, 2017, Second and Main, Renton, Washington. Bronze pavement inlays of four species of leaping salmon are shown alongside circular bronze panels celebrating historic Renton commercial enterprises.
The Golden Apples, 2016, Selah Middle School, Selah, Washington. Two sculptural installations feature a stainless steel tree and branches, plus 100 cast bronze leaves and 37 cast bronze apples, each bearing an inspirational word. Funded by the Washington State Art in Public Places Program.
Artists at Play, 2015, a collaboration with sound artist Trimpin and landscape architects Site Workshop, to create a unique, sound-themed children’s playground at the Seattle Center, featuring over 130 unique bronze castings, both embedded in the ground plane and integrated into above ground sound sculpture, funded by Center Art LLC/Chihuly Gardens and Glass.
Edmonds “Stages of History”, 2014, Edmonds, Washington. The downtown district feature twelve historical panels composed of plate stainless steel, cast bronze, and etched brass, for a National Parks Service Urban History project. Most are column mounted adjacent to historic sites, and several are attached to the historic buildings they describe.
Giant Eye and Water Cycle, 2013, 48" diameter and 28" diameter unique cast iron access covers for the Bertschi School Science Classroom, Seattle, Washington.
Kites at Seola Gardens, 2012, Seola Gardens, White Center, Washington, Eight rotating kite sculptures mounted on ten-foot stainless steel columns, up to 17’ in height overall, referencing kite design worldwide and throughout history, for a King County Housing Authority Development.
Wings and Wheels, 2011, Lake Washington Connector Trail, Renton Washington. Sixty bronze castings inset into a shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway, and themed on the adjacent Boeing Airplane Plant and the nearby Renton Airport. The pathway insets weave together images of the small and medium sized planes that use the airport, Boeing planes and company history, aviation history, bicycling history, and the way advances in bicycle technology influenced the development of manned flight.
Rainbrella and Raindrop Plaza, 2010, Greenbridge, Seattle, Washington. A six-foot diameter bronze umbrella tops a bronze garden seat themed on the water cycle. The sculpture is set into an orange raindrop-shaped concrete plaza, inlaid with 43 unique cast bronze raindrop text pieces, each with a different answer to the question engraved on the edge of the garden seat: “Hello Raindrop, Where in the World Have You Been?”
100 Butterflies, 2009, Robert Frost Elementary, Kirkland, Washington. A ribbon of floor-inlaid bronze text from the poem “My Butterfly” by Robert Frost greets students, staff and visitors as they enter the lobby of the school. 100 silvery metal Butterflies, polychromed in brilliant transparent colors in many shapes and patterns float overhead, suspended from undulating stainless steel waves.
Mount Rainier Vision Chair, 2007, Graham-Kapowsin High School, Graham, Wash. The seven-foot-tall cast bronze “throne” is designed to revolve 360 degrees, so that a seated spectator can enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Rainier, or turn the chair back to face the high school. The throne is decorated with text and images related to Mount Rainier.
Blue Sky Baskets, 2007, White Center, Seattle. Three large cast bronze baskets referencing the long history of human migration are mounted on textured and polished copper-nickel pillars in community plaza. The sculptures range from ten to thirteen feet tall. The surface of the pillars are decorated with 75 bronze “luggage stickers,” using text and imagery created by a diverse population of community members.
White Center “Coins and Welcomes", 2006, 159 unique bronze castings in 2-block long business district in Southwest Seattle. The word “welcome” in dozens of languages alternates with depictions of coins from all over the world. Subject matter for castings was selected in collaboration with King County Parks after-school program members. Recipient of a Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association.
North Highline Fallen Firefighter Memorial, 2004, Seattle, Wash. A cast bronze half-life-size firefighter figure on granite plinth is the centerpiece of a small memorial garden at the North Highline Fire Station. The figure is surrounded by 14’ diameter round cast bronze bench.
Pillars of Industry, 2004, Everett Station, Everett, Wash. Three monumental sculptures representing three eras of industrial development in the Everett area, comprised of one 10’ tall bronze column, one 11’ tall cast iron column, and one 12’ tall cast stainless steel column, are sited in the garden space, designed by ZGF Architects, at the entrance to the Everett Station.
The Camas Pages, 2003, Camas High School, Camas, Wash. 325 bronze castings, each 8.5”x11,” clad four concrete columns in the commons area of new high school, celebrating importance of paper in human culture, with text and images contributed by students, staff and teachers.
Waterways Map, 2002, Everett Station, Everett, Wash. The 3000 square foot terrazzo floor map shows the City of Everett and the surrounding bay, estuary, rivers and streams, and is inlaid with 29 unique cast bronze historic boats and ships, and a bronze image of the Station building in its place on the map.
Swing Dancers, 2002, Main Street Condominium Project, Seattle. Twelve life-size plate stainless steel dancers and musicians drum and dance along the façade of mixed-use building.
Medical Philately, 2001, Spokane Community College Health Sciences Addition, Spokane, Wash. Twelve cast bronze relief panels represent medical postage stamps, referencing the 2-year course offerings in the Health Sciences Division.
The Century Tree, 2001, Redmond Junior High School, Redmond, Wash. 202 unique bronze castings in floor design of commons area represent noted events of the 20th Century, installed in a time-line depicting the growth rings of a 100--year-old tree.
Tribute to the Herald and Streetcars at the Junction, 1998-1999, Metro Transit Shelters, Seattle. 55 etched stainless steel panels of historic newspapers line interiors of bus shelters. 15 stainless steel and bronze sculptures of “streetcars” decorate rooftops of a series of transit shelters at the Alaska Junction.
The River of Trees, 1999, Ninth and Idaho Building, Boise, Idaho. 300 bronze castings showing leaves of ten recommended street trees and the two native broadleaf species, along with four unique 48” diameter cast iron tree grates animate a public sidewalk.
Flying Fish, 1999, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Concourse B. 300+ life-size cast bronze fish representing over 50 different freshwater and anadromous species, swim along a “stream” of colored glass and mother-of-pearl in the terrazzo floor of an 850’ long concourse.
The Solstice Plaza, 1998, Quadrant Lake Union Center, Seattle. The oval 65’x29’ outdoor plaza is based on a design by the 17th C. astronomer Cellarius. It features a center planter in the shape of the sun, and incorporates rustic and traditional terrazzo, four 28” diameter cast bronze planets, 40 smaller bronze castings depicting solstice celebrations worldwide, cast glass stars, cast bronze text and plantings.
The Healing Branch, 1997, Pacific Medical Center. 15’ forged steel branch with 30 cast bronze leaves of eight different kinds of plants used medicinally by Native Americans, along with a series of cherry wood and bronze wall panels describing the medical uses of the native plants.
Paw Prints, 1996, Recreation Equipment, Inc. Flagship Store, Seattle. 180 cast bronze life-size animal and bird footprints, representing 22 different species are inlaid into the concrete floor.
Time Capsule Cover, 1996, REI Flagship Store, Seattle. The 30” x 30” bronze casting features images and text related to REI’s history and mission.
Sculling Oars, 1995, Lake Washington Rowing Club, Seattle. One pair of 10’ long segmented cast bronze sculling oars is set into the tiled lobby floor.
The Leaves of the Trees, 1995, Providence Health Care Center, Everett, Wash. Bronze leaves from 12 different species of trees identified as having medicinal properties are applied to wall and inlaid into floor, with related scriptural text in cast bronze letters.
Awards
1998 National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association Honor Award, Solstice Plaza, Seattle.
2002 Boise City Design Review Award, River of Trees, Boise, Idaho.
2005 Design Achievement Award, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles and the Seattle Design Center.
2007 American Public Works Assn., Project of the Year, White Center Coins and Welcomes.