Tom Lynn, the artist and metal caster who created the grizzly statues at the entrance of Grizzly Plaza, as well as many other metal art works in Revelstoke, died of complications related to lung cancer on Sept. 9. He was 68 years old.

Long-time friend Robert Inwood ran Mainstreet Consulting, the company contracted by the City of Revelstoke to undertake aspects of the revitalization project in the late 1980s. “It was a great shock and loss to me because he honestly was my best, longest, closest friend,” says Inwood, who worked on and designed much of the heritage revitalization project, and hired Lynn as a caster on numerous heritage revitalization projects in the region. Prior to Revelstoke, they worked on a revitalization project in Nelson.

Inwood and Lynn met at San Jose State University in the late ‘60s. Both eventually moved to the South Slocan Valley near Winlaw, where they fell in love with the valley lifestyle.

They both taught at the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson. Lynn formed his own company, the Valley Art Foundry.

Both Inwood and Lynn worked with various artists on different projects in Revelstoke. When asked to describe Lynn’s works and philosophy, Inwood says, “Whatever any artist is trying to do, I suppose, you know. You enrich the world with beauty.”

Lynn pioneered the ‘lost Styrofoam’ casting technique. Traditionally, models were made out of wood, plaster or clay. Producing the models was a time-consuming and expensive process. Lynn carved his models out of Styrofoam instead, packing sand around it and then pouring the metal into the Styrofoam, burning it away. The method was faster and cheaper than the traditional methods.

Many might not be aware that the grizzlies are actually made out of aluminum. Inwood says that Lynn researched an anti-corrosion technique used on bridges and other aluminum structures. The technique mixed copper with other metals, shooting them out in a molten spray coating. The result looked a lot like bronze and was considerably cheaper than casting the whole piece in bronze, which is relatively expensive.

Lynn also produced the metal and stained glass lights located just above the grizzlies. Along with another artist, he pioneered a new dalle de verre technique in which thick architectural stained glass was set into the metal matrix. He received a Canada Council grant to pioneer the technique, which is considerably more durable than traditional stained glass -- making it suitable for the wear and tear of public spaces.

Lynn cast the Rotary Clock which is located in Grizzly Plaza. He also made the cast iron fencing that can be seen around Grizzly Plaza and was responsible for the heritage plaques which frame the historical pictures and stories of heritage buildings throughout town.

Lynn created many original works at his studio, and focused on furniture. Inwood describes it as an original south-western art deco style, using lots of aluminum and glass works.

Lynn also did a extensive work on the Osprey 2000 ferry on Kootenay Lake, including interior work and the large stylized metal osprey that is attached to the exterior of the ferry.

Although Lynn was involved in many projects over his career, Inwood says the grizzly bears were special to Lynn. “I think the bears were probably one of the biggest commissions he had in that regard and were always something he took a lot of pride in.”