By Will Rogers
Staff Writer
Students may soon find an alternative to driving to Reynolds in the form of a new bike rack that would encourage bike riding. This is not going to be an average bike rack, though. Instead, it will also be a work of art, produced by metalworking artist Zach Lail.
Lail is already known for other works he has produced in this area. He is the same artist who made the bike racks that are downtown in front of a/perture Cinema and Camino Bakery.
“I am really into what I call functional art, like my bike racks,” Lail said. “It’s not only something fun visually that hopefully is pleasing to the eye, but also a convenient place to park your bike.”
The idea was developed by Reynolds senior Sophie Hollis. Hollis contacted Lail and is working to raise the necessary funds for the project.
“The project was inspired largely by the neighborhoods surrounding Reynolds and the existing works of Zach Lail,” Hollis said. “It seems so natural that a great magnet school like Reynolds would have a public work of art like this, so I wanted to make it a reality.”
Hollis hopes that the new bike rack will encourage students to ride bikes to school instead of driving.
“The first and perhaps most obvious benefit is that students will have a place to keep their bikes safe during the school day,” Hollis said. “Biking to school is both beneficial to one’s health and the environment, and once there’s a neat place to keep the bikes, more students will be able to get to school that way.”
It will also be an example of the kind of work Reynolds students are doing and learning about every day as students of an arts magnet high school. It will represent the integration of arts, education and community service. Reynolds Arts Service Club – RASCals – will assist in the installation of the bike rack after it has been funded.
“The total cost of the project is about $4,000, and we are raising that money through grants and a Go Fund Me account,” Hollis said. “We hope that the community will get involved in funding this project. We really appreciate every donation and every bit brings us one step closer.”