Submitted by Westport Winery
Ocosta artist Nikki Demmert will unveil her first sculpture at Westport Winery on Tuesday, December 31 at 3 p.m. Demmert was commissioned by the Roberts family to create a sculpture commemorating their wine called Smoky Nor’wester.
A smoky nor’wester is a weather phenomenon where an ominous heavy fog roils across the ocean from the northwest. Demmert, a member of the Haida tribe of Southeastern Alaska and a graduate of the Seattle Art Institute, turned to her heritage to design this piece. According to Demmert this is the story of the trickster raven traveling over the clouds to stop the raindrops from falling. The large cedar burl used as the canvas for this carving was purchased from Tokeland artist Jeffro Uitto who has created three sculptures previously for the winery’s outdoor sculpture garden. Demmert, formerly a chef at the winery, has been planning this piece for over two years.
The sculpture titled Raven Traveling will be the focal point in the winery’s Tapio Dwarf Conifer Collection. This new display garden is part of the winery’s arboretum and botanical garden and in named in honor of retiring WSU County Extension Agent Don Tapio.
This sculpture unveiling is free to attend and all ages are welcome. A portion of the proceeds from this wine benefits the Museum of the North Beach in Moclips.
Westport Winery, Restaurant, Bakery and Nursery are open daily at 11a.m. The winery is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The winery with its unique grape maze, extraordinary outdoor sculptures, and display gardens is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Westport and Aberdeen. For more information, call Westport Winery at 360-648-2224.
