A message from the Union Hill Civic Association this morning says that the Mr.Smedley statue will be put in place this Thursday:
The City of Richmond Public Art Commission has announced that Mr. Smedley, a statue of a street entertainer, will be placed in Jefferson Park on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
The statue was created by Mr. Jack Witt and originally commissioned for the former 6th Street Marketplace. It was awarded to Union Hill by the Art Commission in 1013.
Everyone who has an interest in this process is encourage to attend.
The official “unveiling” is to be scheduled later in May.
16 comments
Does anyone know the history or origin of the bandstand at Jefferson Park? It has become a bit of an attractive nuisance and could use a face lift at minimum.
@Houdon
Please more carefully define “attractive nuisance”.
Thank you.
“It was awarded to Union Hill by the Art Commission in 1013.” Wow – and i took all this time to move it to the park!
“It was awarded to Union Hill by the Art Commission in 1013.” It really has held up well after all these years.
Should give y’all an idea of how much longer it will take for the fountain to be put in place, then
By attractive nuisance I, perhaps, imprecisely mean a place where, when visiting the park with my toddler, I find spent condoms and piss drunk old men lying about playing with themselves.
@Houdon
In those instances, call the Police. The bandstand is not the problem &/or a nuisance. It does not need a facelift, just diligence from the neighbors and other visitors.
I have to say Houdon, your posts always seem to rub me the wrong way. I think it’s your (high) tone. Our Park is a beautiful place on most occasions, and I take umbrage at the way you portray it.
No one can paper over that horrible bandstand. Ever used the bathroom there? It’s like using the bathroom in 19th century India. The building is not historic – plenty of photos on this site show the historic one originally located elsewhere in the park. Also, bricks are falling out. It objectively attracts vagrancy and crime, notwithstanding frequent calls to the police. It’s basically an artificial reef, but for crime. It is an attractive nuisance in every objective sense – its condition attracts the problems there like sunken tires attract fish.
I could see how I might rub someone the wrong way. I’ll watch my tone. Thanks for the advice.
@6 – good to hear someone found my condom. Did you keep it? If so, I’d like to make arrangements to pick it up. I may be needing it again soon.
😉
Alex,
Good to know they were your rubbers and not some junky off the streets or something. I feel 1900% better now!
@8
Please reference my post from the words: “I have to say..” ***EXACTLY***.
And, if our Park (and it’s horrific bandstand), are so very distasteful, then please (pretty please) stay out of it.
@John M.
This Gentleman really hates something that’s a part of our neighborhood, and our beautiful Park. I find that hard to stomach, especially in the way he “paints” his description of the bandstand. I have not, in ten+ years, heard someone make such a visceral and ugly description of the bandstand.
C’mon folks, no criticisms allowed on here. Love it or leave it!
People concerned about Jefferson Park…there’s an organization to join to make changes instead of talk. Here’s the facebook page for the Friends of Jefferson Park:
https://www.facebook.com/fojp.rva
Well said Ann. Pardon my reaction to our local haters.
‘Mr. Smedley’ statue from Sixth St. Marketplace finds home
http://www.timesdispatch.com/local/city-of-richmond/mr-smedley-statue-from-sixth-st-marketplace-finds-home/article_9786c2b6-1da2-5ff9-b3a7-efdd17ae6c44.html