Perspective ‘pearl’

Creating the Newport Beach centennial legacy monument at McFadden Square was no easy feat.

The three-year, approximately $500,000-project was first produced in clay by sculptor Hank Kaminsky. From there, 29 casts were taken. When it was all said and done, the memorial had 2,000 pounds of bronze poured into it.

Newport Beach community members got their first glimpse of the McFadden Square Centennial Legacy Project Monday morning — a sea-green sphere with pictures of Newport Beach’s history carved all over it; on the ground around the sculpture is a timeline of significant events in the city’s history — a testament to its stature over the last 100 years.  

And, as the community and city wanted, the memorial is like a mirror for those who have helped create the city and call it their home.

“It puts it all in perspective,” said Barbara Roy, a Newport Beach resident since 1965.

The depictions on the “pearl from the sea,” as Kaminsky calls it, were taken from old photographs of the city, he said. Pictures of John Wayne, Fashion Island, Newport Harbor, Crystal Cove — and, yes, even Newport Bay’s black swan mascot Rupert — grace the sphere’s shell. Fittingly, the structure stands on the spot regarded to be the birthplace of the city.

In 1888, as the timeline reads, McFadden’s Wharf was completed and helped jump-start the area on its way to being incorporated in 1906. At the unveiling ceremony, three generations of McFaddens were represented, totaling more than a dozen family members.

“I really feel strongly about McFadden Square being the historical heart and soul of the city,” Newport Beach Councilman Michael Henn said. “It’s great to have a monument there.”

It took about 750 donors to get the money needed to build the monument, and the names of those donors and business sponsors encircle it. As community members continue to donate, more names will be added.

“It’s an exciting thing to have some of the most important events and places in Newport Beach here,” said Bernie Svalstad, president of Newport Financial and the master of ceremonies at the unveiling. “It is a wonderful thing that people can look at forever. This is where Newport Beach started.”

Those interested in donating and getting their names at McFadden Square can apply prior to Aug. 11. The final names will be written in stone the week of Aug. 18. Call (949) 717-3870 or go to www.city.newport-beach.ca.us.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].