The Maiden of Deception Pass, (sculpture).

The Maiden of Deception Pass, (sculpture).

Powell, Tracy W., sculptor.

The Maiden of Deception Pass, (sculpture).

Dedicated Sept. 24, 1983.

Digital Reference:

Approx. H. 23 ft. x Diam. 4 ft.

Full-length female figure of the legendary Ko-kwal-alwoot carved as a story pole from red cedar. One side of the pole depicts an Indian maiden wearing a bark dress and seashell necklace. Above her head she holds a salmon. The other side of the pole depicts Ko-kwal-alwoot as the maiden from the sea. Her long, flowing hair resembles kelp and is full of fish and shell fish; barnacles grow on her hands and arms, and her lower body is covered with fish-like scales. She also holds the salmon high above her head.

Ethnic -- Indian -- Salish

Figure female -- Full length

Animal -- Fish -- Salmon

Dress -- Ethnic -- Indian Dress

Mythology -- American Indian -- Ko-kwal-alwoot

Outdoor Sculpture -- Washington -- Fidalgo Island

Administered by State of Washington, Deception Pass State Park, 5175 North State Highway 20, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277

Located Deception Pass State Park, Rosario Beach, Fidalgo Island, Washington

Nearby plaque: "Ko-kwal-alwoot was a beautiful Samish Indian girl living in a village at this site. She was gathering seafood one day when a young man from beneath the sea saw her and fell in love. But when this man of the sea asked her father for her hand in marriage he refused, for fear she would drown. The young man warned Ko-kwal-alwoot's father that the seafood would disappear unless she married him. When his warning proved to be true, Ko-kwal-alwoot's father granted permission for the marriage. The beautiful woman walked into the sea to join her husband. Once again the seafood returned and was plentiful."

On second nearby plaque: "Ko-kwal-alwoot returned to her people once a year for four years. Barnacles had grown upon her hands and arms, and her long raven hair turned to kelp. Chill winds followed wherever she walked, and she seemed to be unhappy out of the sea. Seeing this, Ko-kwal-alwoot's people told her she did not need to return to them. Since that day, she has been the Samish Tribe's guiding spirit and through her protection there has always been plenty of seafood and pure, sweet springwater. This 23-foot pole was carved from red cedar by Tracy W. Powell of Anacortes. The pole was a joint project of the Samish Tribe and the Skagit County Centennial Commission. It was dedicated in a colorful spirit-filled ceremony Sept. 24, 1983."

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Washington survey, 1995.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

Control Number:

Horizon Information Portal 3.25_9382

Powered by SirsiDynix

About | © 2020 Smithsonian | Terms of Use | Privacy | Contact

SIRIS - Smithsonian Institution Research Information System