In Search of Snipes

Sculpture #1

In Search of Snipes, Sculpture by Glenn Spicer

16.4M X 5.5M (31’ X 18’), Heritage Square
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Artist: Glenn Spicer

Designed and Cast in 1986


After a 10-year hiatus after being irreparably damaged by a car, Stefan, right has been reunited with his ‘brother’ Josh.

Originally designed and cast by artist Glenn Spicer in 1986 for the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society, the sculpture, located in Heritage Square on Mill Street has been restored to its full glory.

Society treasurer Doreen Zielke has been on a 10-year quest to raise the funds to replace Stefan and has done so with the aid from the Chemainus Monetary Foundation, the Municipality of North Cowichan, First West Credit Union, the Chemainus BIA and Coastal Credit Union.

The backstory behind the installation: “On a moonlit summer’s night in 1913, two strangers found their way into Chemainus. While socializing with the locals, they were told of elusive snipes hiding in the forest, and that this would be a perfect night to catch them. The strangers were shown the secret place in the woods and instructed to hold a lit lantern in front of an open sack, into which the locals, acting as beaters, would drive the snipe.

“The townsfolk then stole back to the village. After hours of waiting, the boys realized they had been innocent victims of a bit of mischief, and they too returned to the village to join the others and share a good laugh.

Snipes, like dreams, can be captured. Through hard work, Chemainus embraced its “snipes” when yesterday’s dreams became today’s realities.”