Grow Grove City working to revitalize Grove City art sculptures

Ty Kohler Allied Staff News Writer, Allied News, Grove City, Pa.
·2 min read

Sep. 5—GROVE CITY — Throughout Grove City are 10 unique sculptures. These works from 2011-13 were part of a George Junior Republic project where students created art.

The borough then placed them and they have been a hot spot for visitors since.

The statues also serve a more functional purpose, they show tourists parking spots throughout the city.

After many years of rain, snow, salt, sun and all sorts of harsh weather, the statues have faded from their old vibrant selves. Many of them are rusted, faded and cracked.

That's why Grow Grove City has partnered with GJR to attempt to revitalize the sculptures.

Elizabeth Morris, a board member of Grow Grove City, said she hopes to put QR codes on all the plaques near the statues. These codes would take you to a Cheddar Up app account where people can donate to help the repair effort.

The QR codes would also feature a map of Grove City with the 10 statues marked for those who want to visit them.

The plan calls for spending roughly a month on each statue, proceeding in order of each statue's condition, per a list Morris put together.

Glen Sanders, GJR's fine art director, is responsible for the manual labor. He plans to come in once a week to work on the statues.

Repairs to each statue will cost roughly $600.

"The Tools to Change," which stands next to Mars Bank, will be the first project. Mars Bank and Saxony House Furniture donated money for the statue repair.

Mitch McFeely, vice president of commercial banking at Mars Bank and a member of the project, was responsible for Mars Bank's donation.

"We pride ourselves on what we do for the community," McFeely said. "Giving as much as we can back to the community, this is a great initiative for that."

Morris hopes the community and other businesses with statues nearby can help with funding to make this goal come true.

"People of this town really care," Morris said. "They are not afraid to support projects like these."

TO HELP, visit https://grow-grove-city.cheddarup.com or scan the QR codes that will be on each statue.