Lewes art group discusses making Canalfront Park sculpture permanent
The Lewes Public Art Committee discussed the possibility of making the “Paviljoen” sculpture a permanent fixture in Canalfront Park or another location.
At PAC’s Aug. 23 meeting, Chair Heidi Lowe said people have already offered donations to help keep the DeWitt Godfrey artwork.
The sculpture was put in place on July 20, two months late, because the first concrete base cracked during installation and had to be replaced.
Right now, Godfrey is scheduled to remove “Paviljoen,” which is Dutch for pavilion, sometime late this fall.
Lowe said the sculpture is valued at $85,000, but she added that Godfrey has offered it to the city for less.
In the meantime, the committee is making a push to get more people to see the sculpture and get the word out that it is there to experience.
Members talked about encouraging people to take pictures at “Paviljoen” and tag the committee on social media. Another idea was to have people pose for pictures with their dogs.
Parks and Marina Manager Janet Reeves said the sculpture currently sits on a stormwater management site. She said it is unlikely the city would allow it to remain there, because of a requirement to restore that area to its proper purpose and function.
Committee members talked about the feasibility of moving the sculpture to a new location in the city, if they decide to keep it. Further discussion is planned for the September meeting.
Reeves also said the costs associated with sculpture left PAC $15,000 over budget, due to the failure of the original concrete pad and installation of the new one, which cost $7,850. She said the committee will try to make up the difference with fundraisers and possibly money from the city.
One of the fundraisers currently underway is intuitive painting classes. Lowe hosted the first class Aug. 5, and she said it brought in $1,300.
Lowe will run a second class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Rollins Center. The cost is $100 per person, and all donations support the Lewes Public Art Committee.
The committee also discussed selling T-shirts with the image of the Kyle Confehr mural, which is displayed along the bike path between Jefferson and Franklin streets.
For more information, go to lewes.civicweb.net.
