STATESMAN JOURNAL

Key-covered Salman Unlocks Salem History
Materials from former Fairview site return as Art

Nearly 2,000 stainless-steel screws later, a masterpiece titled "Sustainable Keys - Fairview Unlocked" was spawned. It sold for $12,500 at an auction last weekend, fittingly to a group that is developing 32 acres of the Fairview property. "We had to have it," said Don Myers, the president of Sustainable Development Incorporated. "It was destined to be back at Fairview."

The sculpture has been placed in what was the old painter's building, about 100 yards from where the Zeeks discovered the trove of keys that once opened bedroom, cabinet, barn and countless other doors at the state institution for the developmentally disabled. "It's so symbolic at so many levels of what Pringle Creek Community is all about," Myers said. "Recycle, reuse, respect for the people who lived there, creek restoration, commitment to the environment."

The keys are different shapes and sizes. Some have majestic lions on them. Some are etched: "DO NOT DUPLICATE." The Zeeks used older, brass keys for the top of the salmon and newer, silver keys for the belly. Near the head, they incorporated round, brass identification tags that were found with the keys. One is inscribed "hog barn" and another "fork lift." They filled the base of the sculpture with leftover keys to represent water.

"It really opens a lot of conversation about Fairview," Mary Lou Zeek said. "Fairview was a big part of Salem, but it was kind of ignored. People didn't want to talk about it."

Everyone has been talking about their salmon. It brought in more money than any of the others at the auction that culminated the yearlong Salmon in the City project. "It seemed like most people's eyes were on the Fairview salmon," said Sue Leeson, a retired Oregon Supreme Court justice. Her husband, Sam Hall, is a managing partner of Sustainable Fairview Associates, an investment group that bought the 275-acre Fairview site in 2002 and later sold a chunk to the group that Myers represents.
Leeson invited artists to visit the grounds in the spring of 2004 to search for materials they might use in their work. "As we walked through the facility, there was an awe of silence," Mary Lou Zeek said. "There was thoughtfulness and respect, like a funeral."

The Zeeks came across a key shop in the back of the old carpenter's building, which was constructed in 1938 and will be preserved by the developers of Pringle Creek Community. "There were shelves and cabinets, and they were all full," Alan Zeek said. "It looked as if employees just turned their sets of keys in."

"It made you think," Mary Lou said, "How many doors did they unlock and open for these people?"

The Zeeks eventually went home with four five-gallon buckets of keys that they stored in their shop until the Salmon in the City project came along.

"Someone else could have sold them on eBay," Salmon in the City project coordinator Krina Lemons said. "They did something to remember and honor" those who lived and worked at Fairview.

The institution closed in February 2000, when the last of the residents moved into the community, three years after the Oregon state Legislature decided to mothball the place.

Alan and Mary Lou Zeek both grew up in Salem. She remembers visiting Fairview as a Camp Fire Girl, interacting with residents and singing carols around Christmastime. Years later, she had a family friend who had to place her son at the institution.

As the Zeeks spent evening after evening in their kitchen affixing the keys to their salmon - it took about a month - they discussed the parallels between the fish and Fairview residents.

"You think of salmon swimming upstream, their struggles," Mary Lou said. "Those people who lived at Fairview, think of all the struggles they had."

The Zeeks had some struggles of their own working on the project. After deciding they would use the keys, they had to pry them off hundreds of key rings and sort them. Then they had to figure out a way to attach them to the fiberglass.

"I originally thought we'd glue them on," Alan said, "but that idea died within the first three keys."

Stainless-steel screws proved a much better solution, although it was tedious work. Alan had to pre-drill each hole and then drill each screw.

"I just sat and pointed," Mary Lou said.

Neighbor David Schwarz, a metal worker, helped with the copper fins and tail.

The salmon was displayed in front of Glance Optics and Eyewear on Court Street NE for most of the summer.

Leeson was out of town on business and had no idea what the Zeeks had done with the keys until she was walking downtown one day.

"It was one of the most wonderful surprises," she said. "Oh, it just brought tears to my eyes. It was so beautiful."

All 20 salmon decorated by area artists were on public display at downtown locations leading up to the auction. Each sold for between $2,000 and $12,500.

"Spirit Run" by Mike Bronco and "Copper Skillet" by Joshua McMurrin each brought in $10,000.

Artist Rick Bartow, who missed the auction because he was in Washington, D.C., attending a Smithsonian Institution event, contributed six of the smaller, 2-foot fish. One went for $4,400.

In addition to the Zeeks' salmon, a few of the other 5-footers will be shared with the community.

>"WatersFish," which gained fame when it was stolen from outside The Blue Pepper on Commercial Street NE in June, now has a home at the Willamette Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery clinic in South Salem. Dr. Gary Nishioka purchased the sculpture by April Waters.

"Salmonberries" by Janee Hughes was donated to Chemawa Indian School.

"We just can't get over it," said art teacher Don Bailey, who was involved with the Salmon in the City project. "It's such a kind gesture that they thought of us."

Bailey had no idea who donated it or how much it sold for. The school hopes to put the acrylic-painted salmon, featuring a Native American woman on one side and a bear on the other, on permanent display in the new campus dormitory that will be built next summer.

The Zeeks are pleased to know their salmon has gone home to Fairview, where the keys were found and where the soon-to-be-developed property includes Pringle Creek. They believe it belongs there, and Myers couldn't agree more.

>"Pringle Creek is a salmonoid stream," he said. "We absolutely, positively had to have that salmon at Pringle Creek Community.

"It will always have a prominent spot here."