Giant Steel Sculpture, Huru, Arrives Home In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma's newest landmark is visible from U.S. Highway 101 and from the D Street drawbridge.

The 38-foot-tall sculpture, Huru, was made in Petaluma during the 1980s and returned home this week after being on exhibit around the country for several years.

A free public welcome event is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Petaluma River Park to celebrate the homecoming of "Huru." The gargantuan, wind-powered steel sculpture towers above the skyline after it was installed this week at Petaluma River Park on a long-term loan.

As part of Saturday's ceremony, Petaluma Mayor Kevin McDonnell will officiate a ribbon cutting at 10:15 a.m. and will give remarks alongside Petaluma River Park Executive Director Seair Lorentz in honor of the sculpture's new home.

"This is our first piece of public art and it was no small feat," Lorentz said Thursday in an interview with Patch.

Bringing the sculpture home was one of the early inspirations for turning 24 undeveloped acres of the McNear Peninsula into the Petaluma River Park, Lorentz told Patch.

When world-renowned sculptor Mark di Suvero was creating Huru during the 1980s in Petaluma, Lowell McKegney was his right-hand man. McKegney worked alongside di Suvero to complete the sculpture and in turn, di Suvero gifted it to McKegney.

Since Lowell McKegney's death in 2011, his wife has sought a more permanent home for the sculpture that most recently was on exhibit at Crissy Field in San Francisco, near the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Fast forward to this week, when a six-person team worked to install the monumental piece of art.

Funds for having it hauled to the park, assembled by professional welders, and erected with a 70-ton crane were donated entirely by community members, Lorentz said. Grants from Creative Sonoma and The National Endowment for the Arts also helped, she said.

What To Know

The McKegneys' daughter, Katy, will be on hand for Saturday's ceremony. Staff and volunteers will also be on hand to answer questions about Huru and the River Park.

Petaluma Arts Center is coordinating a children's craft for Saturday's family-friendly event.

Lorentz hopes community members take the time to attend and learn more about the Petaluma River Park Foundation's mission for the park which is to connect community, art and nature.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization that privately owns the park and is leading the planning, design and construction. The foundation has engaged the community in a co-creation process to design the new state-of-the-art waterfront park — sparking a sense of pride and ownership and building community at its deepest level, Lorentz said.

"Petaluma River Park aims to build a vibrant, welcoming park that fosters a love for nature, sparks creativity, and unifies the community for future generations," Lorentz said. "Huru's new home helps support that mission by providing Sonoma County and Petaluma with world-class art set in nature and easily accessible to all Sonoma County residents."

Where To Park

Parking for the event is at the parking lot for Steamer Landing Park off East D Street and Copeland Street. It is about a half-mile walk from the parking lot to the event; therefore, organizers suggest guests arrive early. Golf carts will be available to help transport guests to the event and then back to their cars afterward.