Permanent Wave Society Brings Amusing Art to Great Basin Visitors

  Anyone traveling on State Route 488, the road that leads from the tiny eastern Nevada town of Baker to Great Basin National Park, will quickly notice something peculiar along the way.

  In several spots beside the fence along the road are rustic forms of art, some with identifying signs. These unusual pieces are the work of a handful of local artisans who, collectively, are known as the Permanent Wave Society.

  

  The dozen or so displays—most built using discarded materials or junk—range from the ridiculous to the sublime. Many, such as the rusting hulk of a 1930s automobile called “Horse with No Name,” have tongue-in-cheek titles.

  The inspiration for this outdoor gallery was the late “Doc” Sherman, a Baker resident, who, in about 1997, attached an old glove to a fence post, where it appeared to wave to passing cars—hence the society’s name.

  “There was a fence post . . . there was the glove . . . and one thing led to another,” Sherman told Nevada writer/historian David W. Toll several years ago. “If you could put them all over the country you’d eliminate road rage. Everyone would be smiling, even on the LA freeways.”

  The project was said to be therapeutic for Sherman, who had been partially paralyzed by a stroke, but still desired to follow his artistic muse.

  Sherman soon added additional creations and was joined by other Baker residents, many of which were (and are) working artists. They, in turn, created their own works along the fence posts.

  Now known—with tongue-in-cheek—as “Post Impression Art,” the works include:

  • “Too Tall Tommy,” a faux gravesite that features two mannequin legs, gird with cowboy boots, protruding from the grave.

  • “Barb and Bob Wire,” two human-like stick figures made of barbed wire and wearing clothes.

  • “Anywhere But Here,” an unusual human-like figure made using a variety of plastic pipes and sporting a discarded George Forman Mean Lean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine for a head.

  • A visual pun—a wooden figure of a man who appears to be scrubbing a 2,000-pound weight. Its title is “Washington.”

  • A striking celestial painting with punched out round holes (not sure what it all means, but the holes allow the wind to pass through so the painting doesn’t get knocked over).

  • Several alien-like figures, including one sitting in a wheel chair and wearing a pith helmet.

  At one time there were more examples of this whimsical artwork along the road but in 2016, the Nevada Department of Transportation removed some of the larger pieces that were closer to the roadway because they were within the highway’s legal “clear zone,” an unobstructed area just off the pavement where a motorist can pull over.

  Despite the action, several of the works remain and continue to amuse passing drivers.

  Of course, the main attraction in the area is Great Basin National Park, which boasts Lehman Caves, groves of ancient Bristlecone Pines, and spectacular scenery. The town of Baker had gained a reputation in recent years for its dining, boasting four quality eateries including Sugar, Salt, and Malt, 487 Grill, Sandra’s Mexican Food and the Great Basin Café.

  For more information about the Permanent Wave Society, go to: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/permanent-wave-society. For more information about Baker and Great Basin National Park, go to: https://travelnevada.com/cities/baker/.