Bird Sculptures Need a New Nest

When Margaret Carlberg learned that the Seacliff Village shopping center was to be demolished, she flew into action.

But it wasn’t the loss of the aging Main Street strip mall that concerned her, rather a collection of bird sculptures and mosaics she helped bring to life back in 1976.

“It made me sad to think that the shopping center’s owner would not use this work again,” said Carlberg, who provided information about local avian ecology when the art was created. “The pieces have a great artistic and educational value to residents.”

Created by Edward Carson Beall, the pieces showcase coastal birds through a series of dioramas, murals and figures.

This fall, the developer said the city could have the art if it wants to pay removal costs, said Jim Yoder, a manager with Shea/Vickers Development Co. “Our plans call for a neighborhood shopping center, and we felt the artwork was suited for another location,” Yoder said.

Carlberg and others have been working with the city to find an estimated $250,000 to remove the pieces.

Individual donations and corporate sponsorship are being considered, but the group needs to move quickly since the center will be demolished next spring.

When the pieces are removed, the city will store them until a suitable location is found, said Michael Mudd, the city’s cultural services division manager.

“We would like to save as much of the pieces as possible and place them near the nature conservancy center or in other public spots,” Mudd said.

Even if the pieces must be separated, Carlberg said, the salvage effort will be worthwhile.

“The pieces will still be appreciated by the public,” she said. “They are one of the things that makes the city attractive.”