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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MICHAEL KLUCKHOHN
THE FUSION OF CREATIVITY AND MINDFULNESS
TIRESQUATCH
GRIZZLY
#399
PROJECT PROPOSAL 2025/2026
"The mountains, forests, and wildlife of North Carolina pay tribute to those of the Tetons and Yellowstone in Wyoming.
TireSquatch is committed to fostering connections with communities across the nation."
THE STORY
Synchronicity... It refers to those meaningful coincidences that suggest a connection at play.
After relocating from the Pacific Northwest Coast to the mountains of North Carolina in 2023, I established a living/working art studio and was set to unveil my reclaimed bike tire sculptures with an open studio event one year to the date.
Just two weeks before this open studio event on September 27, 2024 Hurricane Helene struck and flooded my studio, leaving me to clean up the aftermath. In the midst of this chaos, I grabbed a black sharpie marker and sketched on one of the studio walls, channeling my emotions into art. The sketch depicted a human figure adorned with a grizzly bear headdress, both figures with closed eyes, seemingly connecting with each other's spirit.
A few weeks later, the beloved Grizzly Bear #399, a well-known resident of Grand Teton National Park, sadly lost her life in a vehicle accident on October 22. From that point on, it felt as though her spirit was reaching out to me, embodying a "knowledge-bearer" whose strength and resilience became my own.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene resulted in my living and working art studio being flooded and severely damaged.
A wall sketch made with a black sharpie marker, located in my art studio workspace. It marks the beginning of Grizzly #399 and reflects my connection to her.
HONORING #399
I always trust my intuition, and it was evident that TireSquatch studio should honor the "Queen Knowledge-Bearer of the Tetons" by creating a life-size (over 7ft) grizzly bear made from upcycled bike tires.
This incredible mother raised 18 cubs, with 8 surviving to adulthood. Sadly, cub #1058 was lost to a vehicle accident in the park in early May.
An auto accident involving "tires" parallels a sculpture made from "tires." Let's embrace mindfulness... These mountains and forests are alive; remember to connect with your true self.
SUPPORT
I won't sugarcoat it. These life-size sculpture projects require assistance from others to cover all aspects.
While collecting bike tires is straightforward, the costs for the artist can accumulate significantly.
With your donation, we will have the necessary art supplies, professional installation services, and ensure the tire sculptures long-term durability. Envision a breathtaking sculpture of Grizzly #399 that pays tribute to our nation's threatened wildlife and demonstrates our commitment to creative sustainability.
Any donation will help and every dollar contributes directly to the realization of the vision. If you're willing to contribute to "The Knowledge-Bearer Tire Sculpture," you can make a secure donation online through PayPal, email me directly, or send a check.
Grizzly #399 will be created at the TireSquatch living/working studio in Pisgah Forest, NC.
Once completed, the sculpture will journey to the Tetons of Wyoming. What an impressive sight it will be as the sculpture travels across the country to Wyoming!
The permanent installation location is currently being finalized.
Thank you for your generosity and support in making this dream a reality. The entire process will be documented through photos and videos from beginning to end.
TireSquatch
3431 Asheville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
772-634-3649
DONATIONS - SERVICES
Thank you for your generous donations and services, which are helping bring the Grizzly #399 Sculpture project to life!
Andy Jordan's Bicycle Warehouse
Augusta, Georgia
NEWFOUND Artisan
Brevard, North Carolina
Earth Mountain Bicycles
Brevard, North Carolina
Next Venture Outdoors
Brevard, North Carolina
SYLVAN SPORT
Brevard, North Carolina
Mill Creek Metal Worx
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Mystic Mountain Metals
Flat Rock, North Carolina
Anvil Arts Sculpture Garden
Linville Falls, North Carolina
McKenzie Taxidermy
Salisbury, North Carolina
Squatch Bikes
Brevard, North Carolina
Motion Makers Bicycle Shop
Asheville, North Carolina
Liberty Bicycles
Asheville, North Carolina
Mustasheville Bikes
Asheville, North Carolina
Epic Cycles
Hendersonville, North Carolina
THE HUB
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Sycamore Cycles
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Hendersonville, North Carolina
REI co-op
Asheville, North Carolina
Jim Allred Taxidermy Supply
Saluda, North Carolina
HIKER AND THE HOUND
Cedar Mountain, North Carolina
ECUSTA Brewing Company
Brevard, North Carolina
Dupont Yurts And Campground
Dupont State Forest, North Carolina
LOWE'S
Brevard, North Carolina
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