They’re back.
The Arts Council of Plant City has contracted with Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc. to display seven life-sized bronzed sculptures by world-renowned sculptor Seward Johnson, who became widely known for his depictions of people engaged in everyday activities. The free, outdoor exhibit will be on display in downtown Plant City for people of all ages to enjoy until the end of April.
The Council, in collaboration with Unity in the Community, City of Plant City and the Plant City Photo Archives, displays the pieces to promote the appreciation of, and education about, sculpture and public art. The program was initiated in 2012.
The Council hosted 10 sculptures in years’ past but price increases required the Council to scale back its exhibit. “The cost of everything has gone up so we were only able to host seven this year but they’re all new to Plant City,” said Council President Marsha Passmore.
Sculptures on display this year include: “Stormy Weather”, “Return Visit”, “Skateboarder”, “Can Do!”, “Waving Girl”, “Caution: Man Contemplating Work” and “Creating”.
With their lifelike qualities, it’s easy to mistake them for real people. “It happens a lot,” said Passmore.
She recalls one year the sculpture “Catnap” caused an outpouring of generosity from local residents. The display featured a man sleeping on a park bench. It was a particularly cold winter that year and people tried to give the man food, water and even blankets. “They thought he was a real person and in true Plant City style people were trying to offer a helping hand,” said Passmore.
Her personal favorites this year are “Can Do!”, a muscular Rosie the Riveter displaying her strength and fortitude and “Stormy Weather”, a rendering of a girl caught in a storm.
Look closely at one of this year’s sculptures and you’ll see a personal touch. The man sitting on the ground, concentrating while drawing a picture in “Creating” is sketching the train from the Plant City mural he’s facing.
Passmore said a member of Seward Johnson Atelier’s curatorial staff asked for several pictures of our downtown sites. She emailed them four or five pictures of downtown, one of them a picture of the mural wall at Collins Street Mural Park. “Bill McDaniel called me the day after they were installed and was impressed with how they had personalized it,” she said.
Government employees assisted with the installation of the sculptures, which weigh hundreds of pounds each. Lubrano Designs created the walking map that shows the location of each piece.
Passmore said the Council fields calls from people who don’t live in Plant City but want to visit to see the pieces. “It’s a privilege for Plant City to continue to promote the arts to our residents and the many guests who visit us every year just to see the artwork,” said Passmore.
She encourages people to visit and peruse the display at their leisure.
For more information about Arts Council of Plant City visit www.plantcityarts.com.