By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Local citizens will soon get a peek at the sculpture that may adorn Wooster Green.
The artwork will be placed in the circled area to the east of the gazebo on the green gathering space.
The sculpture submissions have been narrowed to three artists – who will make presentations to the public on Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the meeting room of the Wood County District Public Library. The artists will then be available for questions from the public from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
The artists’ posters of their proposed sculptures will then be displayed at the library from Oct. 23-30. Citizens will be asked to submit their responses to the designs throughout that week, according to Lori Young, an associate professor of graphic design at the Bowling Green State University School of Art.
“In my biased opinion, it is a wonderful signature for the Wooster Green space,” said Young, who is one of the members of the Wooster Green Sculpture Subcommittee with Nadine Edwards, Sharon Hanna, Michael Penrod and Diane Vogtsberger.
More than 20 art-related international organizations were contacted about submitting sculpture ideas for the site. The proposals were narrowed down to the three that will be displayed for public input, Young said.
“It was very difficult to get it down to three,” she said. “There was so much potential.”
The sculpture is intended to portray Bowling Green’s sense of education, learning and history.
Art plays a prominent role in the community, Young said, and the sculpture will continue that tradition.
“We hope people will take a moment and pause, and reflect upon it,” she said of the proposed sculpture. “We’re hoping this will be inspiring.”
Community donations have paid for the creation of the Wooster Green gathering space, including the $45,000 budget for the sculpture.
In November, the sculpture subcommittee will announce its finalist to the Wooster Green Steering Committee, which includes Dick Edwards, Nadine Edwards, Dick Newlove, Mike Aspacher, Bob Callecod, Jeff Crawford, Sharon Hanna, Ann-Marie Lancaster, Larry Nader, Michael Penrod, Lloyd Triggs and Lori Young.
The sculpture will tentatively be installed on the Wooster Green next June, with a dedication to be held.
