Cathie Rowand/The Journal Gazette/Fort Wayne/reprinted with permission.
Matt Kubik with his Johnny Appleseed mastodon that he is working on in the Engineering and Technology Building at IPFW.
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Chicago had cows. Lexington offered horses. And now, Fort Wayne is getting into the public art arena with Mastodons on Parade, the first-ever community-wide art project for Indiana’s second largest city. More than 100 fiberglass mastodons, decorated by area artists and sponsored by local businesses, were unveiled May 1 and then scattered for display amidst the city’s sidewalks, plazas and cultural attractions.
Over the summer, the public has a chance to vote on their favorite creations. That task may be difficult since artists have recreated the humble mastodon into a creature frolicking in a variety of curious themes. One is costumed as Elvis while another nods homage to Americana’s Johnny Appleseed.
The winners of the top 10 voting will appear in IPFW’s entry in the Three Rivers Festival Parade on July 9, and on Oct. 21 many of the creations will be offered at auction at a gala event at the Grand Wayne Center, with the proceeds benefiting the United Way of Allen County.
But why mastodons, you ask?
The massive mammal is IPFW’s mascot and the public art project is one of the events marking the school’s 40th anniversary.
When: Now through Sept. 30
Where: Various locations throughout Fort Wayne
Info: http://www.mastodons.org
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