Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published May 11, 2005

County's 150th birthday should be something to remember

Sesqui indicates one and a half and when you add centennial to sesqui it becomes 150. 2006 marks the 150th birthday of Cumberland County. Now is a good time to start practicing so you say it right. Pronunciation aside, plans are well under way for making that celebration one to remember.

Every big event needs a mascot to liven things up and that playful little water lover, the otter, has been chosen for that duty in Crossville. Six-foot plaster otter models will be transformed with paint and decorations into pieces of art by local artists. As they appear around town they are sure to bring oohs and aahs and lots of smiles just as the real life creature does.

Crossville has long been known for the many contributions to culture the Cumberland County Playhouse has provided. This is the town's first venture into public art and it will add another dimension.

The big cities to the east, west and south of us had a headstart in public art. In Knoxville bear sculptures appeared around town in 2001 characterizing the theme "Bearfoot in the City." In 2004 "Hounds on the Town" replaced the bears with a large pack of colorful dogs.

In Nashville the first effort in 2003 featured "Catfish Out of Water" promoting the health of the Cumberland River. This year the city has become Guitar City and forty 10-foot Gibson guitars all fancied up by imaginative artists are found around town.

In 2002 Chattanooga was celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the Tennessee Aquarium and they chose the theme "Gone Fishin'" for their public art. Two sizes of fish models were used - a 50-foot by 3-foot or an 18- inch tabletop version.

In all these exhibitions, at the end of the display period, they are auctioned to the highest bidder and the money goes to worthy organizations or school art departments.

Chattanooga had fun with their public art but in 2002 they set their eyes on a more serious and costly project, the 21st Century Waterfront Plan. The Tennessee Aquarium was about to break ground for its Ocean Journey expansion, the Hunter Museum had expansion/renovation plans on the drawing board and the Creative Discovery Museum was also doing extensive renovation.

These three attractions were considered the cornerstones and that left three areas of the waterfront for public spaces enhanced by public art. Competitions were held for sculptures in each of these areas and artists from this country and seven other countries submitted proposals. All is now in place and the grand opening of the new look at the waterfront began April 29 and continues until the grand finale May 14. It is a shining example of a vision brought to fruition.

As you visit our sister cities and enjoy their public art keep practicing saying sesquicentennial and spread the word, the otters are coming!

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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.