Octavia

A Striking Sculpture with a Surprising Origin Story


At first glance, Octavia is simply mesmerizing—a vibrant, golden-yellow glass sculpture with tentacles stretching toward the sky, capturing the light. But beyond its beauty lies an unexpected and unforgettable story. The 14-foot-high sculpture, made from cast glass and metal, pays homage to a strange encounter that artist George C. Scott experienced at the Des Moines Marina.


Shortly after he moved to Des Moines, Scott was walking on the long pier at the marina when he saw what appeared to be a massive sea monster wrestling a Giant Pacific Octopus. The creature clutched the octopus across its chest like a sea otter enjoying a midday snack, tearing into tentacles that stretched an estimated eight feet long. To this day, Scott isn't sure what the animal was, but he's guessing it was a massive sea lion. For nearly an hour, this unexpected performance captivated curious onlookers, though some locals accustomed to the strange sights of the sea strolled by unfazed. The moment would leave a lasting impression on Scott, who paid homage to it with the sculpture.

About the Artist:

George C. Scott is one of the most prominent glass artists in Seattle Southside, with numerous pieces of public art displayed in Des Moines, Washington. He began working with glass in 1976, Laguna Beach, California, in 1976, with a studio and gallery on Pacific Coast Highway. Interest in Tiffany, Lafarge, Steuben, Quezal, and Lalique led him to explore glass blowing, casting, fusing, and other glass disciplines. After moving to Seattle in 1991, he continued to explore, taking advantage of the common studio spaces at Pratt Fine Arts and the wealth of knowledge in the Seattle glass community. His work includes sculpture, art glass lighting, and a variety of architectural elements and applications. He has created many public installations in Des Moines and elsewhere, and his artwork may be seen in galleries, collections, and on his website, georgecscottstudios.com.