Fostoria welcomes Midwest sculptures for 9th year

FOSTORIA — Fostoria was chosen once again as a host community for the Midwest Sculpture Initiative, now for its 9th consecutive year. Exhibits were recently installed, consisting of eight sculptures that will remain on display for about a year. The initiative was created by Blissfield, Michigan artist Ken Thompson in 2003 as an effort to increase the amount of outdoor sculpture opportunities and was a natural extension of Flatlanders Sculpture Supply and Art Galleries. All of the sculptures in the temporary exhibit are available for purchase, with commission going to the Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau if sold while on display. "In the last eight years that Fostoria has participated as a host community for the Midwest Sculpture Initiative, the Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau has received a commission on the sale of 14 sculptures, with donations and purchases made for 10 of those pieces to remain in our community permanently," said Michele Cochran, grants writer for the Fostoria Economic Development Corp. This years pieces include "Leftovers" by Todd Kime of Ottawa Hills, located in front of the Fostoria Learning Center, 342 Perry St.; "Cosmic Engineer" by Joel Washing of Toledo, located in front of Kaubisch Memorial Public Library, 205 Perry St.; "Squared" by Richard Morgan of Wauseon, located on East South Street in front of the Ray Dell Parking Lot; and "Autumn Sun," also by Morgan, located at the corner of East South and South Main streets. Other pieces include "American Eagle" by James Havens of Woodville, located in front of the American flag at the Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park, 499 S. Poplar St.; "Three Seasons" by Sunday Mahaja of Goshen, Indiana, located on North Vine Street near the city skate park; "Three Point One" by Alex Mendez of Decatur, Indiana, located in front of the Fostoria Schools administration entrance, 1001 Park Ave.; and "No Fishin'" by Lesanne Burchell of Genoa, located between reservoirs 2 and 3 at Lakeview Drive. The initiative, according to Fostoria Economic Development Corporation Grants Writer Michele Cochran, is funded through grants and donations from businesses, orgnizations, and indivudals. This year, a matching grant from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation and the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation provided the leading funding for the exhibit. Additional support came from Don and Louise Mennel, The Mennel Milling Co., Joe and Brenda Stearns, WinWaste Innovations, Callies Performance Products, Clouse Construction Corp., Fostoria Community Arts Council, Amie and Jay Hathaway, Friends of the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library, Ryan S. Kinn, DMD, Ohio Logistics, Sally Reed, Leonard Skonecki and David and Dianne Uehlein.