Once we knew we were selling the Raleigh abode, we either had to bring the wolf to Park City or find a good home for him. Since he would be irrelevant here in Utah (not part of a city-wide wolf collection) and he was big and fragile, we went with find a home.
We started trying to get interest from NC State's Wolfpack Club. Should have been a great fit, but they were useless. Then we went to the city of Raleigh's Arts Commission. They were very excited to get him, but there is quite the process in place for accepting art for display. He was eventually blessed and now has a new home.
They made him a nice base and some custom plaques. Here is the press release that the Arts Commission just did:
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission is pleased to accept for its permanent collection the sculpture "Howl The Gilded Moon." The artwork was created by Antonio Colon and Lee Lewis in 2001 as one of 100 fiberglass wolf sculptures exhibited throughout the city as part of the Arts Commission's "Raleigh Red Wolf Ramble" public art project.
The Raleigh Red Wolf Ramble was inspired by other public art projects around the country featuring such creatures as pigs, cows or fishes. Selecting the red wolf as the theme resulted in partnerships with local organizations, including the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. The project created a fun environment while offering educational information on the red wolf's plight as an endangered species.
During 2001 and 2002, the completed wolves were showcased throughout the city in parks, campuses, museums, shopping malls and other venues. Howl the Gilded Moon was exhibited at Crabtree Valley Mall. Following the exhibition, the wolves were auctioned, with proceeds benefitting the Arts Commission's public art program.
Howl the Gilded Moon was donated by former Raleigh residents Steve and Julie Joyce, who relocated recently to Utah. The sculpture can now been seen in the lobby of Marsh Creek Community Center at 3050 N. New Hope Rd.
"We appreciate the Joyces' generous donation, and are excited to add Howl the Gilded Moon to Raleigh's art collection," said Kim Curry-Evans, the City of Raleigh Art Commission's public art coordinator. "The Red Wolf Ramble was a very popular public art project for the City."
Many of the wolves can still be seen "roaming" the city in venues such as the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex and Sertoma Arts Center.
For more information, contact Kim Curry-Evans, public art coordinator for the City of Raleigh Arts Commission at 919-996-4688.
4 comments:
Nice! If it couldn't live with you, this is the next best thing.
We were excited to see the wolf get a permanent home in Raleigh. The artist Lee Lewis was a dear friend of ours and would be pleased to see her work as part of the City's permanent collection. Sadly, she passed away this spring. Raleigh has lost a big talent. Though her work remains in many homes and businesses throughout the area.
my daughter sent me to your blog. Lee was my oldest sister and like Johng said past away this spring.
She would have loved the fact that her wolf will be in Raleigh and in a place where it can be seen and enjoyed by many.
Thank you for your kind gift and all the years you enjoyed it for your self.
Meredith
Thanks. It took a while to find someone who would treat the wolf well and put him in a place to be enjoyed. We're very sorry Lee can't stop by to see him in his new home.
- Steve
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