Cougar Holding Hazelnut Branch

In Tukwila's Hazlenut Park is a charming sculpture of a cougar perched atop a large boulder, delicately holding a branch of hazelnuts in its mouth. Made in 1988 out of cast aluminum and rock, Cougar Holding Hazlenut Branch by Richard S. Beyer is a nod to Tukwila's history and represents Beyer's signature style. The nationally renowned artist often incorporated animals and elements of nature to tell stories or convey messages. The cougar, a native predator, evokes the wild heritage of the Pacific Northwest, while the hazelnut branch may be a nod to Tukwila's deep connection to the plant. The name Tukwila roots back to the indigenous people who once populated the region, and is Chinook jargon for the Duwamish word for hazelnut.


About the Artist:
Richard S. Beyer (1925-2012) was a nationally renowned sculptor who created more than 90 sculptures for public spaces in cities and towns throughout the U.S. His work was known for reflecting local lore through simple imagery, carving expressive gestures into animal and human figures to convey humor and stories. (Source: RichardBeyerSculpture.com).