Sculptor Transforms Boulder into Entryway Art
Posted: Thursday, October 17, 2013
Visitors to Arrowhead Ridge—the area on Grass Valley Road in Lake Arrowhead where a wildland nature park is being planned—are greeted by an impressive stone sculpture.
World-renowned sculptor Marcel Mächler created the work out of a 12,000-pound boulder that was moved to the entrance from elsewhere on the site. He carved an arrowhead symbol with the word “ridge” below it to create a sign in keeping with the natural state to which the property is being restored.
Marcel Mächler
Renowned stone sculptor Marcel Machler created the impressive sign that greets visitors to Arrowhead Ridge by carving an arrowhead symbol and the word “ridge” into this boulder.
Mächler, a native of Germany, lived in Pasadena before moving to the mountains 10 years ago. “I grew up with the seasons and enjoy them here,” Machler said.
When Polly Sauer, a San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust board member, asked Mächler if he would contribute something to the Arrowhead Ridge project, creating the sign seemed the appropriate thing to do.
Mächler was at the site when the huge boulder was moved and positioned at the entry. He was able to envision where the arrowhead would be and then drew out the letters for “ridge” so they would be even.
“It has different looks at different times of day,” Mächler said. “The sun changes the shadow effects. Lighting is important with everything.”
Mächler will be one of the special guests at this Sunday’s fund-raising gala, to be held at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. The purpose of the event is to help the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust restore the ridge and create a public recreation area.
In addition to enjoying dinner—with a choice of wild mushroom ravioli, grilled salmon or chicken marsala—guests will be able to participate in both silent and live auctions. John Wood himself will conduct the auction in his exemplary manner.
Arrowhead Ridge is the last remaining patch of native forest in the heart of Lake Arrowhead. These 78 acres contain one of the most diversified stands of trees in our mountain range. According to longtime forester James Asher, it is the best example of a Southern Sierran montane forest to be found south of the High Sierra.
Doors for this special autumn event will open at 5 p.m. for the silent auction and cocktails, followed by dinner and the live auction starting at 6 p.m.
Dinner tickets are $55 each; a table for 10 may be reserved for $500. Bring friends, enjoy a fine meal and bid on great auction items to help improve our mountain community. Tickets are available online at www.sbmlt.net