Spotting Statues: J. Seward Johnson sculptures return to Plant City

Ten new visitors to Plant City may have residents looking twice. 

The J. Seward Johnson Sculpture Exhibit returned to town for the fourth time Wednesday, March 1. The life-sized sculptures, which travel throughout the United States as part of a traveling exhibit, will be on display at locations across town through Thursday, June 1. 

The return of the sculptures, brought to town annually by the Arts Council of Plant City, was commemorated with an unveiling ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Village Green Park. The park’s fountain is the focal point of the 85-acre Midtown area. 

“We feel like Midtown is going to be the hotspot for what’s going on in this community,” Marsha Passmore, president of the Arts Council, said. “We’re so proud to be a part of it. Before a lot of groundbreaking takes place, we think that the City needs to be complimented for bringing this park here as the focal point for what’s going to happen.”

This year’s sculptures include a little girl reading outside of Bruton Memorial Library, a mailman at the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum and golfers across the street from Snellgrove’s in Historic Downtown. 

But one sculpture has added Plant City flair. At the unveiling ceremony, the Arts Council debuted a statue of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet painting a picture of Village Green Park. 

“We chose the fountain for Monet to be painting as part of the sculpture,” Passmore said. “For us to be able to bring them to Plant City is just huge.” 

City Commissioners, including Mayor Rick Lott and Vice-Mayor Bill Dodson, attended the unveiling ceremony. 

Lott commended Jack Holland with the Recreation and Parks department and General Services for their help with the statues, and the Arts Council for their work to bring the sculptures back to Plant City. 

“I want to thank you for making this a reality,” Lott said. “This is the fourth time we’ve done this. I just think it’s one of those things now that everyone expects it to happen. It’s become a tradition, and we’re a city of traditions. I’m so glad that we’re able to do it again this year. That true spirit and love we have in our city is really alive and well everywhere we go.” 

After the unveiling, Lott offered to purchase the painting featured in the Monet sculpture as a Plant City keepsake. 

“I would love to buy the painting and let that be a donation to the Arts Council,” Lott said. “I’d like to place this piece of art at City Hall somewhere, if the Commission would allow us to. It’s a beautiful piece of art, and I think it commemorates Midtown.” 

This year, the Arts Council has introduced a way for Plant City residents to join in on the statue fun. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, residents are encouraged to take part in the Plant City Statue Challenge. Individuals, families and businesses are invited to stage themselves as living statues in downtown as part of a Facebook photo contest. 

The annual exhibit is brought to the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World by the Arts Council of Plant City, the City of Plant City, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Unity in the Community, the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, Plant City Main Street, Don Walden and Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. 

Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.