CROATIANS HONORED IN OLD
TOWN
A
sculpture memorializes turn-of-the-century Croatian immigrants. The proud
fisherman held a fat salmon aloft. He and his wife greeted each other with
bronze smiles. Their meeting was unveiled Sunday, November 4, 2002, during a
celebration in Tacoma's Old Town. The Croatian couple, wrought by Tacoma
sculptor, Larry Anderson, stands in front of the Slavonian Hall at 2304 North
30th Street, Tacoma, Washington. The sculpture, called "Ribarski
Pripovijest" (Fish Story) was commissioned by the Slavonian American
Benevolent Society to commemorate the lives of turn-of-the-century Croatian
immigrants in Tacoma. "Awesome," said Steve Joyce, who lives near the
hall and counts himself among the members of the Old Town Croatian community. "It's
about time; the Croatians, have made quite an impact on Tacoma. Finally, we
have a visible thing." Croatian immigrants were among the first settlers
in Old Town, and they built a thriving fishing village. Some of their
descendants stil live in the area, and belong to the society founded in 1901.
The sculpture was commissioned last year during the group's centennial
celebration. Society members raised more than $112,000 to erect it. It provides
another local example of Anderson's work -- other pieces of his are on display
at Wright Park, Union Station, the University of Puget Sound, and Fireman's
Park. A parade of children in Croatian garb led a procession to the veiled
statue, and a host of dignitaries spoke before the unveiling. They included
Frank Brozovich, honorary consul for the Republic of Croatia. Brozovich's title
is honorary because there is no Croatian consulate in Seattle, where he lives.
But he appears at ceremonial functions such as the unveiling and speaks on
behalf of the Croatian community. The sculpture represents the "spirit of
family, faith, and country," he said. Tacoma Mayor, Bill Baarsma,
discussed the Slavonian Hall's importance to early immigrants, calling it
"a beacon for newer immigrants -- a place where someone would know the name
they carried on a crumpled piece of paper." Anderson's voice quavered as
he said the ceremony felt like a homecoming. He said the sculpture took five
models, including his wife, Sharilyn, who provides "impromptu parts"
when needed. (Sleasman 2002)