A thought about involving the public in creating this sculpture had been rolling around in my head for some time. I'm proud every time I see the Celebration sculpture donated to the Guelph Youth Music Centre last year and suspect that anyone helping make the Paper Bag Princess sculpture would also feel proud any time that they visited the library. They'd walk through the door, see the Princess waving hello to them and they's smile knowing that they played a role in her creation.
I set up an appointment with Kitty Pope to discuss this and drop off the scale model sculpture for the library for them to keep for a few weeks and generate public interest. She loved the idea and so did the library staff gathered for the drop off and discussion. Lisa Cunningham issued a press release to local media and they acted quickly. Tricia Stevenson of Rogers TV contacted me to set up a time to be on the television talk show Inside Guelph. Jessica Lovell of the Guelph Tribune contacted me to set up a time for her to photograph a session with the public helping build the sculpture. The Fountain Pen on line newspaper published the invitation for help. Guelph Mercury published the invitation too. And it worked wonderfully. People started emailing me to set up times for them to participate.
I set up an appointment with Kitty Pope to discuss this and drop off the scale model sculpture for the library for them to keep for a few weeks and generate public interest. She loved the idea and so did the library staff gathered for the drop off and discussion. Lisa Cunningham issued a press release to local media and they acted quickly. Tricia Stevenson of Rogers TV contacted me to set up a time to be on the television talk show Inside Guelph. Jessica Lovell of the Guelph Tribune contacted me to set up a time for her to photograph a session with the public helping build the sculpture. The Fountain Pen on line newspaper published the invitation for help. Guelph Mercury published the invitation too. And it worked wonderfully. People started emailing me to set up times for them to participate.
Valerie Smith along with her family Jillian, Garrett, Elena and Andy were the first to help. They applied Winterstone to the lower part of the bag. Their focus was to push the clay through the wire mesh as much as they could so that the sculpture would be strong.
Karen McKay with her children Sarah Michael, Emily Michael, Colin Michael and Ryan Michael were the second group to help. They applied Winterstone to the upper bag and had the same focus of pushing the clay through the mesh as much as they could.
The third group was a combination of two requests. Gord Sloan came on his own while Linda Clarke brought her granddaughter Peyton. They built the shoulder, arms and top of the head. Pushing the clay through the mesh was particularly important for the shoulders so that the arm support would connect with the bag. That would help protect the finished sculpture if someone pulled down on the arm.
There is a lot more work to do in building the sculpture. It needs four coats of Winterstone plus sanding and sealing. Then the base needs slate tiles applied so I hope people keep volunteering. My prediction is that I'll need help for another month.
There is a lot more work to do in building the sculpture. It needs four coats of Winterstone plus sanding and sealing. Then the base needs slate tiles applied so I hope people keep volunteering. My prediction is that I'll need help for another month.
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