Former Sequim city manager Steve Burkett and Sue Ellen Riseau, former executive director of the Olympic View Community Foundation, unveiled a sculpture at the Sequim Civic Center dedicated to Burkett’s late wife, Bobbi.— image credit: Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
June 28th, 2016 marked the third year anniversary of the passing of Bobbi Burkett, beloved wife of former City Manager Steve Burkett. We are thrilled that we can also remember Bobbi by reflecting on the beautiful work of art commissioned by Steve in her loving memory and on display at the Sequim Civic Center.
With designated donor contributions to Olympic View Community Foundation, Steve was able to commission Artist Bob Rigg of Seattle Glassblowing Studio to design and create a stunning glass sculpture installed in the beautiful new Sequim Civic Center.
Foundation Executive Director Sue Ellen Riesau and Steve Burkett unveiled the sculpture, on Feb 5, 2016, a piece that features 10 glass plates mounted on a metal armature.
“Bobbi really had two passions: art and local democracy,” Steve Burkett noted, adding Bobbi earned a political science degree with a minor in art before spending decades in the arts. “Her favorite colors were purple and lavender, so we asked that the artist include that (in the sculpture),” Burkett said. The sculpture is now permanently installed in the southeast corner of the Civic Center lobby.