Feud threatens to topple iconic Tahoe City sculpture
John Betts’ sculputure at the Y in Tahoe City. Photo/TTD
By Tony Bizjak, Sacramento Bee
For decades, a muscular sculpture of three leaping, gape-mouthed trout has perched at the entrance to Lake Tahoe’s west shore in Tahoe City, offering homage to the alpine basin’s wildlife and its natural environment.
Now, the artwork is days from extinction. Crews this week will disassemble it and place It in a warehouse indefinitely, perhaps permanently, even though no one really wants it to happen.
The problem: The artist who created the 20-foot-tall piece and local transportation officials are feuding.