Arts proposal strives to bring lake dragon to shore

CHELAN – At the Chelan City Council meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, a special presentation was given by Dan Crandall to update Council on funding efforts toward a rendering of Chelan legend, Tsilly the Lake Dragon.

The total value of this project includes the artist's expenses and donations and amounts to $46,388. Of that, $33,813 in donations have been received toward meeting this value and represent those donations from the artist, the Lake Chelan Arts Council, and the community. The balance to pay future estimated expenses amounts to $12,575.

Sculpturist Jerry McKellar is actively at work on a rendering of Tsilly. Jerry is a Chelan native who graduated from Chelan High School in 1962. After graduation he attended the University of Washington where he received his dental degree. He then practiced dentistry in Colville until 1994 at which point he retired and began to focus more on his art.

Jerry’s work on this sculpture was originally inspired by a children’s book titled “Tsilly the Monster of Lake Chelan” written by John Fahey. Ashby, Jerry’s grandnephew, created a small dragon sculpture influenced by the creature depicted in John’s book. Jerry’s current rendering of Tsilly is inspired by Ashby’s original sculpture.

Katie Lindert: 509-731-3211 or katie@ward.media