ARTISTS: Paul Reimer and Michael Hepher
YEAR: 2009
MEDIA: Forged and Fabricated Iron & Stainless Steel Globes
DIMENSIONS: 25′ high x 12′ diameter, 2300 lbs
LOCATION: Downtown Square of Cranbrook, BC, Canada 
PROJECT CONCEPT: “The Spirit Tree” is our representation of community spirit.  The tree is made of 32 individual metal “roots” coming out of the ground.  These roots represent the past – our forefathers and the local First Nations who had built our community.  The roots then come together to form the trunk.  This is our community growing strong through the efforts of the people who live here – living in unity and working together to build a prosperous future.  At the top of the tree the roots branch out and become their own individuals.  This represents the people of our community living their lives, being who they are within the community and making their individual contributions.  At the end of some of these branches are reflective, stainless steel globes encircled by the end of the branches – the fruit of living in a vibrant community.  People can see themselves reflected in these globes and know that they are indeed a part of the community.

It was decided that The Spirit Tree would be placed in the city’s downtown square, which had fallen into disrepair.  The hope was that it would help to revitalize the area and inspire people to see its potential as a source of community pride. 

This project was a success for our city on several different levels.  It developed and built a community identity in an area of the city where that image was previously tarnished and it returned an area that was unsafe and undesirable to a family-friendly place that could be enjoyed by everyone.

COMMISSIONED BY: Sharron Billey Holdings Ltd.

PRODUCED BY: Reimer & Co Blacksmiths