Sunday, Jun. 12, 2005

Kennewick Man or bust

By Chris Mulick, Herald staff writer

It's been more than seven years since West Richland sculptor Tom McClelland first used science and educated guesswork to put a face on Kennewick Man.

Now he's offering you a chance to get closer than ever before.

It was McClelland who teamed with former Richland anthropologist Jim Chatters in 1997 for a forensic reconstruction effort that produced a clay bust showing what the face of the famous 9,300-year-old skeleton probably looked like when he was alive and roaming the Mid-Columbia, aching from a spear point lodged in his hip.

The image, which some claimed was a spitting image of Star Trek's Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, was described then by McClelland as "a merging of science and art."

Now McClelland is planning to share that art by casting the famous likeness in bronze. He hopes to produce a limited-edition series of no more than 50 sculptures that could be marketed to museums, collectors and other Kennewick Man aficionados.

Earlier this month, he signed a $4,000 contract to produce the first bust for the Mid-Columbia Library's Union Street branch in Kennewick. It's a development supporters hope will kick-start marketing efforts.

McClelland said the bronze sculptures will improve upon the original clay-based likeness while offering a classic look and durability that will help memorialize Kennewick Man's place in history.

"I think this is another way to enhance giving public ownership of this discovery," he said.

"It would, in effect, commemorate it," said Chatters, who first examined the bones after they were discovered along the shores of the Columbia River in 1996.

With court battles between Native American tribes and scientists seeking to study the bones largely resolved, the Kennewick Man controversy has cooled to a simmer. But interest in the historic discovery has remained robust, Chatters said.

That's made it a good time to consider the commercial venture, although huge profits aren't expected. McClelland has been soliciting interest on his Web site - www.tom-mcclelland.com - where a 360-degree view of the sculpture can be viewed. And he has sculpted a proof that is close to what the finished Kennewick Man sculptures will look like.

Most wouldn't notice its minor imperfections, but they will see his narrow chin, prominent cheekbones, long face and large nose.

McClelland said the bronze has brought out not only a rich, warm color, but has also enhanced the bust's facial features. "It adds a certain depth to the piece and makes it look a little more human," he said.

Bronze also offers a durability that most other materials can't. It allows the bust to be displayed publicly and bring the story of Kennewick Man up-close to new audiences even as the story disappears from newspaper headlines.

"You can have it out for people to see and touch," Chatters said. "It's as permanent as anything is."

Mounted on a hardwood base, the sculpture weighs roughly 25 pounds. The price tag could change for future sculptures because McClelland said he would enlist the help of a commercial foundry should a limited edition series be commissioned.

Getting an initial sculpture purchased and put in a public place could be the key in starting the marketing engine, said Dave Mitchell, who recently opened Richland's Tri-Art Gallery and is helping McClelland sell the bust. It would give the public and potential purchasers a place to see the finished product.

"I'd like to see that piece in Kennewick where people could see it," Mitchell said. "It's part of Kennewick's history and part of Kennewick's legacy."

That's precisely what the Friends of the Mid-Columbia Library has in mind. The organization is purchasing the first bronze bust to be placed in the Kennewick library as a way to get the likeness off the shelf and out before the public.

Nancy Russell, president of the booster group, said the sculpture will offer a history lesson while commemorating an event that brought worldwide attention to the Tri-Cities.

"It pretty much put us on the map," she said. "People don't know where the Tri-Cities is, but they know about the Kennewick Man."