On June 18, artist and city councillor Ron Kerr unveiled his new sculpture, Sentinel, outside Nesbitt’s coffeeshop in Campbellton.
The figure – designed in a steampunk style meant to acknowledge the area’s continuing industrial history – is made largely of repurposed bronze propellers originating from around Campbell River, a reference to the area’s marine history.
“It’s a piece that reflects the basic DNA of what Campbell River’s always been,” said Kerr, who began working on the sculpture last year but has been sourcing the materials from scrap for more than a decade.
About a dozen people attended the unveiling, including Mayor Andy Adams and several city councillors.
The event was held by Nesbitt’s Island Coffee and the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association, which is trying to revitalize the area through efforts including the installation of the sculpture.
Kerr said it’s the first in a series of steampunk statues that he plans to develop for the community.