ccopacatty day

Peruko takes command as his sculptures are installed and praised.

You could hear the drums in downtown Providence, pounding. Then you could see the arching figures, the patient llamas, in Kennedy Plaza. Sculptor Peruko Ccopacatty had proposed the installation two decades ago, and finally a public arts organization had arranged the exhibition with the city. Peruko, a longtime friend, is an Aymara Indian from Peru who has lived in Rhode Island for 30-some years. The state has already declared a Ccopacatty Day in his honor. Peruko's son Aymar, a noted artist himself, grew up with my daughter, Hannah, on Block Island. So this occasion was a family affair. Aymar was there, with his wife and son. My brother- and sister-in-law were there. Oh, and the mayor and art-world notables. Peruko and his wife Rosalie have basically traded countries. She lives in Peru and runs a writer's retreat on the shore (apply here), while Peruko works in an old schoolhouse in Kingston, R.I. He will be headed south to Peru for  few months presently. In a speech at the ribbon cutting, Aymar said, "I am so proud of my father." So are we all.

Aymar (left) asked Hannah to live stream the proceedings to Peru.