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JACKSONVILLE Ode to Gentner's: Britt Festivals dedicates floral sculpture Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 2:51 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 3:24 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 2:51 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 3:24 PM » Social News JACKSONVILLE — An artist’s vision and a couple’s love of their adopted hometown have led to the installation of “Brittilaria,” a 12-foot-tall sculpture of the rare Gentner’s fritillary, at the Britt Festivals grounds. Cheryl Garcia, known for her large and showy metal flower sculptures, was commissioned to create the work by Dr. Sean and Sonya Roden, who are loaning the piece to Britt on a long-term basis. A dedication ceremony is planned at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the festival grounds. “It’s such a great combination of art and nature and the Rogue Valley all put together,” said Sonya Roden. “There are not enough words to describe (Cheryl’s) talents.” Gentner’s fritillary is a rare and endangered lily found only in southwestern Oregon and on a patch of private land in Siskiyou County, California. More than 70 percent of the known flowers exist within a seven-mile radius of the Jacksonville Cemetery, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Gentner's fritillary generally blooms from March to May. While there are other fritillaries, a different shade of red sets the Gentner's apart. The plant was listed as an endangered species in 1999 and the city has set aside habitat for it. Populations are small, with an estimated 1,200 plants over four areas, including the Jacksonville Woodlands. “It is just like an Easter egg hunt, looking for all these delicate little flowers,” says Garcia. The Rodens lived in Jacksonville from 2011 to 2013 before they returned to Houston, where Roden resumed his career as a NASA flight surgeon. Multigenerational Texans, the couple were captivated by Jacksonville's 19th-century buildings, which remind them of Galveston, where they met. Coming over a hill for the first time, they spotted Garcia’s giant poppies sculpture in the vineyards off South Stage Road. When they found a home, they commissioned Garcia to create a giant poppy, although they have since moved it to their Texas residence. “We love it here. We are so happy to give back,” says Sean Roden. The couple attended Britt concerts regularly while they lived here. They are looking for a home to purchase for times when they can return. “We bought books and learned about the flora and fauna,” he says. When he noticed a small, lily-like plant, he called Garcia to learn more. She showed him a sketchbook of the flower that dated from 2007 and talked of her dream of creating an artistic version. Last year the talks became serious and the Rodens commissioned the work for installation at Britt. "Brittilaria" is installed between the ticket windows and the refreshment booth on the main plaza. “It is welcoming and vibrant and fun, just like the music on the hill,” said Britt Executive Director Donna Briggs. She is delighted that the sculpture is visible from First Street outside the festival grounds. Garcia used new tools and techniques in creating the three stems and seven blossoms. She built her own English wheel, a device that allows her to put compound curves into flowers petals. The finish process included industrial paints topped by a gold vinyl decal covering that is used to put gold lettering on fire engines. Each sculpture is bolted to a 240-pound concrete base sunk in the ground. Plantings will be put round the bases of the installation. The sculptures take some artistic license from the actual flowers, as Garcia added tendrils and a gold checkerboard pattern on leaves. She also subtly worked musical notes into the piece. Garcia’s husband, Criss, mentioned to Sonya Roden during Saturday’s installation that the flowers probably would be backdrops in many family photos. Garcia envisions weddings held in front of the installation. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 2:51 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 3:24 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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