There's a new creature in downtown Williams Lake weighing in at 500 pounds and made out of western red cedar
The beautiful brown bear sculpture was carved by Spirit Carver Dean.
On Thursday, May 29, Dean and a crew were installing it between Sam's Restaurant and the Williams Lake and District Credit Union.
"I went above and beyond, but to be able to do this for the city was so awesome," Dean said.
The sculpture is the latest public art project made possible with a grant from Downtown Williams Lake BIA with funding from the City of Williams Lake.
Dean said DWLBIA's executive director Sherry Yonkman was great to work with. He also credited Heather Callendar, branch manager of the credit union, for coming up with the idea to have the bear carved.
"The credit union paid for the concrete you see here," he said pointing to the ground where the bear was being installed.
Dean works at Pioneer Log Homes of B.C. and said his boss Bryan Reid Jr. was very generous with the wood Dean wanted for the carving, saying Reid gave him a very good deal.
He also thanked Ken Streigler at Longhorn Fencing for their help.
During the winter Dean said he worked on the bear, carving for about half an hour each day before he headed out for work.
