While driving down Collins Street one may notice flocks of people gathering around a platinum blonde and a grate as they attempt to recreate the iconic scene from “The Seven Year Itch.”
The annual J. Seward Johnson sculptures are now on display throughout downtown Plant City. This year Johnson’s work features crowd favorites like the “Forever Marilyn” Marilyn Monroe statue at McCall Park on Collins Street, two tennis players in “Making a Point” on J. Arden Mays Boulevard by Krazy Kup and a man enjoying an ice cream cone in “Hot Weather” in front of the Plant City Photo Archives.
The annual event is hosted by the Arts Council of Plant City and sponsors include AC of Plant City, the city of Plant City, the Plant City Photo Archives, Don Stine Construction and Cameron Financial Services.
Visitors to downtown often give the life-sized statues a double take as, upon first glance, many appear to be realistic. The tradition of the statues coming to town is one many have come to anticipate over the years. Despite its long history, the statues remain new and refreshing and the community often gets involved with the project by sharing photos of themselves with the artwork.
Everything from two women chatting on a bench to a little girl enjoying a treat and even a group of friends posing for a photo are represented in the statues this year.
Each year the statues come to town for community members to go on a self-guided tour and enjoy the unique works of art. The 10 statues will be on display until March 15, 2019.
Statues
“Yum Yum”
– Bruton Memorial Library
“At Long Last”
– City Hall North Entrance
“Chance Meeting”
– Corner of Collins and Reynolds
“Forever Marilyn”
– McCall Park, Collins Street
“Waiting”
– McCall Park, Palmer Street
“Lunch Break”
– Willaford Railroad Museum
“Making a Point”
– J. Arden Mays Boulevard
“Building Better Neighbors”
– Plant City Mural Park
“Hot Weather”
– Photo Archives
“Photo Session”
– Village Green Park