These terracotta panels tell stories. They whisper legends from across the globe. Welcome to the Sky Legends sculpture at Seattle’s High Point Branch Library.
Created by Seattle artist Steve Gardner these glazed terracotta panels depict five captivating sky legends. Each legend was carefully chosen. The choice reflected the High Point community’s spirit. Library staff and community members helped select them.
One panel shows the Mexican tale of Why the Moon is Free. The Moon cleverly outsmarts the Sun’s romantic advances. She makes him promise to create a perfectly fitting gown. As the Moon waxes and wanes however the gown never quite fits. The Moon remains free.
Another panel illustrates Phaeton and the Sun from ancient Greece. Phaeton son of Apollo is granted a wish. He gets to drive the sun chariot. Inexperienced he causes chaos. The Earth freezes then burns. Zeus intervenes striking Phaeton down. His grieving sisters transform into poplar trees their tears becoming amber.
The Snohomish Native American legend of Pushing Up the Sky is also depicted. Long ago people pushed the sky higher. It was too low getting in their way. Three hunters however missed the event. They followed fleeing elk into the sky. Both hunters and elk became stars forming the Big Dipper constellation.
The Sky Camel from Somalia shows a dark area shaped like a tailless camel. Legend says the camel once lived elsewhere. During a drought people tried to catch it. They built a tower reaching for the sky. When someone grabbed the camel’s tail it fled. Its tail broke off and everyone fell.
Finally there’s the story of the weaver maiden and the buffalo boy. Their neglect of duties angered the celestial emperor. He separated them by the Silver River the Milky Way. They grieve yearly reuniting for one week when the stars are closest. Magpies then form a bridge across the Milky Way.
These Sky Legends aren’t just beautiful sculptures. They are windows into different cultures and their unique perspectives. They demonstrate how we all look to the same sky yet see different stories. They invite contemplation and connection. The Library itself like the sun moon and stars provides illumination and inspiration for all.