Despite the groans of a mechanical lift and the aggressive slap of a cold wind that welcomed the first piece of public art to take residence along the Susquehanna River Walk, sculptor Pam Barner beamed.
The 5-foot-10-inch, 500-pound bronzed clay sculpture of Barner's "wood hick" - an 1800s era lumber camp worker who ensured the passage of logs on down the river to Harrisburg - was anchored in place Wednesday morning.
Barner's life-sized sculpture is a representation of the city's bygone era as "lumber capital of the world" and the laborers who helped Williamsport earn the title.
Holding a peavey - a staff attached to a hook with a sharp point to handle logs - the period-dressed wood hick is poised just above the river along the walk between Market and Hepburn streets, where logs were handled, according to Mark Murawski, county transportation planner and manager of the River Walk project.
Barner, a Muncy resident from Chicago, worked in cooperation with the Lycoming County Commissioners to make the project and its installation a success.
Her work is the first of many public art pieces planned for installation along the Timber Trail, a part of the overall Susquehanna River Walk design, to reflect the area's lumber heritage, according to Murawski.
Murawski described Barner's contribution as an "appropriate first piece" for a theme to build on for the Timber Trail, which will also be dubbed as the "Art Walk."
Over the next several weeks, informational kiosks will be installed along the portion of the walk, as well, he said.
Barner said she was excited to see the project finally take root in its new home.
"It's a passion to do art," she said of her craft in regard to the sculpture. "And I love history."
The artist said the sculpture took her about a month and a half to complete last spring before it was sent to and bronzed by Laran Bronze in Chester, near Philadelphia.
County Commissioner Rebecca A. Burke said it was "a bit overwhelming" to witness the first piece of public art become a permanent fixture along a portion of the Susquehanna River rich in local history.
"It's such an incredible piece that reflects the region," she said. "Many people have contributed time and energy to see it come to fruition."
Burke said Barner and Rachelle Ricotta, county community development planner, spearheaded the project, and was excited to see their efforts realized.
"We have a great heritage," she added, "which we're now able to showcase with the cultural aspects of the area."
The river walk will provide pedestrians and bicyclists with a paved loop on the levee on both sides of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River between the Market Street and Maynard Street bridges.
It also includes a link to pedestrian trails in Loyalsock Township and Montoursville via a paved link along Commerce Park Drive on the north side of the river.
Murawski said the $2.3 million project is due to be finished later next month, with safety fences yet to be completed along the levee where there are rocky slopes.
A grand opening for the river walk is scheduled for the spring, he added.
