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San Dimas Festival of Arts
Public Art Project
Jedediah Strong Smith
Sculpture by Victor Issa
Jedediah Strong Smith, an American explorer, was the first man to land a party of Americans over land into California. Setting out from near the Great Salt Lake in August, 1826, Smith and his party traveled the entire length of the Great Basin, cross the Mojave Desert, and entered southern California. On November 26, 1826, the group camped at Mud Springs (now San Dimas, California). The following day they reached Mission San Gabriel (in what is now San Gabriel, California).
Smith was the first to cross the Sierra Nevada Range, first to travel the length and breadth of the Great Basin, and the first to reach the Columbia River by land from San Diego. He explored more American West than any man of his generation.
The legacy of Jedediah Strong Smith's journey's will always be an inspiring account in the history of the American West. Smith was a man of high moral principles, a respected leader, and a great American.
Historical consultants for this public art project were Doctor Raymund Wood, Donald H. Pfluger, and Thomas Tefft.
The sculpture is entitled A Welcome Sight, a direct quote of Smith's log-book entry, made on November 26, 1826, when he came over the crest of the San Gabriel Mountains and saw the view below for the first time.
Ken Sheffer of the Festival of Arts Board designed and directed the layout of the park.
About the Artist - Victor Issa
make
bronze appear alive. His artistic hallmark Creating
Living Bronze is the embodiment of his life-focused
spirituality, respect for the human figure, love of life,
passion for perfection, and undaunted perseverance.
Victor has been sculpting professionally for nearly two decades. His works have been featured in shows and exhibitions across America since 1985. Victor's sculptures are displayed in private and public collections worldwide.
Active in the fine arts community, Victor is co-founder and president of the Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show & Sale, the largest sculpture show in the United States.
Click the links below to:
Sculpture Invitational Show and Sale
Learn more about Jedediah Strong Smith
Learn about Mission San Gabriel
Learn about San Dimas, California
Visit the San Dimas Historical Society Website
