The artistic legacy of the South Hill community’s children is in danger of disappearing.
Since the installation of etched designs on glass panels on 18 bus shelters on Meridian was completed in February 2007, the vandalism of these panels has remained steady until Memorial Day weekend of this year. Over that weekend, according to Monica Adams, Pierce Transit Planner responsible for their implementation, 19 panels were destroyed.
There are a total of 90 panels on the 18 shelters — five panels on each one. Early in 2007, eight panels were destroyed and 15 panels were hit that summer. From September of 2007 to May of 2008, 28 panels were hit.
The vandalism of 19 panels in one weekend marked a tragic high in the destruction of our youth’s art.
The story of these designs marked a spirit of optimistic community cooperation. Representatives from the South Hill Community Council initiated the project and worked with Debbie Munson, art teacher from Rogers High School, and Candice Loring, art teacher from Emerald Ridge High School. The South Hill Historical Society chose the subject matter.
A total of 60 students at Rogers and Emerald Ridge high schools submitted designs. After 18 students’ designs were chosen, representatives from the Puyallup School District coordinated the award process.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official reception for the artwork, was hosted in February 2007 by Pierce Transit officials and Pierce County Councilmember Calvin Goings.
Although the designs were etched on glass panels, no one suspected the degree of destruction that would soon occur. After all, this was South Hill, a great place to live, and these designs were done by our children.
The Pierce Transit budget to replace the destroyed panels is limited to two replacements of each panel; then the panel goes to clear glass. One entire shelter is now clear, and many panels have already been replaced twice. With the recent vandalism, many designs are in danger of disappearing if destroyed again. For this reason, Pierce Transit plans to temporarily install clear glass in the damaged panels until a way to either protect the artwork is found or the vandals who have done this are discovered.
According to Adams, Pierce Transit is actively researching various ways to protect the designs, from special glass, sandwiching each panel between glass, and covering them with protective film. None has proven successful so far.
But the community can come forward with any information about this vandalism and phone in tips anonymously, to: Transit Watch Crime Tips — 253-581-8040.
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