A ‘Bigger’ Legacy: Meet Artist Andrea Wilbur-Sigo

At the center of South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) Olympia Campus stands the Welcome Figure. Carved from 1,200-year-old fallen sacred cedar, the figure was commissioned by SPSCC’s Associated Student Body in 2005 to acknowledge the rich connections between the college and the Squaxin Island Tribe. Andrea Wilbur-Sigo (Squaxin Island and Skokomish), the artist behind the SPSCC Welcome Figure, reflected on its creation.

“It was both a scary and exciting experience,” Andrea laughed. “I didn’t think I was ready for a project like that.”

Andrea had always known that carving was her calling. From the time she was a teenager, she dedicated herself to studying the art form, hoping to differentiate Salish artwork from other Northern styles. Her passion was fueled by her commitment to preserving and sharing the cultural stories of her people. Despite her deep connection to the craft, Andrea had never worked on a large-scale welcome figure before being approached by her tribal elders to create one for SPSCC.

“I was wary to do it because when you put something up, you’re representing not only yourself, but your tribe and your family,” she said. “I had been taught that if you’re going to do something, you have to do it in the best way. I just wasn’t sure I was the right person for the job.”

While initially intimidating, Andrea began to see the journey to completing the Welcome Figure as an opportunity for learning and growth. To help her through the process, she reached out to Loren White, a renowned artist and mentor.

“It was my husband who encouraged me to call him,” Andrea admitted. “I said no because I had looked up to Loren my whole life. He didn’t have time for me. My husband made the call anyway and, sure enough, Loren came and became my teacher.”

Loren’s teaching proved invaluable. He not only taught Andrea technical skills but also instilled confidence in her abilities. Their collaboration on the SPSCC Welcome Figure became a transformative experience where Andrea learned to push the boundaries of her artistic capabilities.

Andrea shared, “We lost Loren in January 2024. Since the Welcome Figure, we worked on several projects together. He became part of my family, like my dad. We both learned from each other. If it wasn’t for him and my elders pushing me to do this project, I can’t even imagine where I’d be.”

For Andrea, the SPSCC Welcome Figure was more than just her first monumental piece; it was an opportunity to write her people’s language and stories into the wood, telling the past, present, and future of the Salish people. 

“When I put him up, he ended up being bigger than expected. When a welcome figure is lying down and you’re working on it, it looks big, but the moment you stand it up for the first time…it’s just amazing,” Andrea said. “My daughter, who was only a year old, gave him his name. All she could say was ‘Mom, it’s way Bigger’. And that name just stuck. Stories like that are the ones that are embedded in the pieces I create.”

Now, almost 20 years later, Bigger has welcomed countless students to the SPSCC Olympia Campus.

“When people see him, I hope they feel peace. I hope he makes them feel safe,” Andrea explained. “I also hope that they feel curious enough to look into the meaning of the figure and learn more about who we are as a people. Each welcome figure has its own story and I hope that inspires each person they welcome to create their own story.”

Looking back, Andrea sees the SPSCC Welcome Figure as the beginning of her career as a carver—a project that tested her skills, expanded her horizons, and laid the groundwork for her future endeavors.

“It was my first opportunity to push myself. There couldn’t be a better place for Bigger to be than a college since the experience pushed me to learn and to reach out for instruction when I didn’t know what to do next,” Andrea said.

Working on Bigger reinforced Andrea’s belief that educational institutions like SPSCC are crucial venues for displaying Native art, as they provide opportunities for learning, healing, and fostering understanding. By placing her work in such settings, Andrea hopes to inspire curiosity and respect for Native cultures, encouraging people to ask questions and learn more about the history and contemporary presence of the Salish people.

“Prejudices come from the unknown. People fear what they don’t understand,” she shared. “Artwork on college campuses makes that understanding possible because it’s a place of education, of learning. That understanding will bring us closer together as a community.”

Today, Andrea continues to create monumental pieces that tell the stories of her people, with over 50 works displayed across Washington state and beyond. She is actively working on new projects, including another piece that will soon be installed at SPSCC. Her existing Welcome Figure at the college is currently undergoing cleaning and restoration, with plans to return to campus this fall.