The Eureka Reporter... Real News by Real People
5/28/04 ‘One Ring’ May Be Headed For Morris Graves Museum
by Wendy Butler The Eureka Reporter
Page 1 of 1
The city of Eureka is in the process of working out plans with the Humboldt Arts Council for it to borrow the “One Ring, ” which was given to the city in March.
The ring was given to Eureka Mayor Peter La Vallee by Nelson, New Zealand Mayor Paul Matheson during his delegation’s visit to the city to sign the Eureka-Nelson sister-city agreement.
The Humboldt Arts Council will feature Nelson wood art and paintings in July and the board of directors has expressed interest in including a display of the ring in the exhibit, City Manager David Tyson said.
The ring was created by the Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith workshop of Nelson for Peter Jackson’s Academy Award- winning “The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy.
It is the second of 100 such rings Jens Hansen will manufacture.
Tyson said he received a call from Mayor Peter La Vallee indicating the museum had expressed interest in displaying the ring. Tyson put in a call to Humboldt Arts Council board President Sally Arnot, but had not as yet finalized arrangements with her at press time.
Currently, the ring is being stored in a locked safe in City Hall.
Tyson said he understands the museum is required to insure whatever work it displays and he said the city could most likely cover insurance costs.
He said the loan of the ring does not require the City Council’s permission beforehand.
“This is like with any other piece of art or piece of equipment that we would have in our possession,” he said. “Council has instructed staff to do the right thing. … There have been occasions when we have placed things in other venues. … In this particular case, it is something that is in the public’s interest. ”