By Staff
Public art is much like a community's fingerprint.
Throughout the world there are billions of different types of communities that are unique in their own way. Public art is one way towns can express their way of life and its people who reside there. Not only does the art represent the area, but also the artist.
Art allows individuals the freedom to voice their opinion to the community about something that has importance in their lives such as an object, person or place. Our community has been privileged enough to have seven beautiful sculptures donated to it, each in their own way representing different characteristics of our great city.
The fourth sculpture donated to Dowagiac was Stone Lion, created by artist Jan Rosetta. This public art is in Beckwith Park and was a gift of the William F. Moran family. It was dedicated to Dowagiac on May 13, 2002. Like many other artists, Rosetta found her inspiration within her own life. "Her (Rosetta) subjects are animals, another childhood passion. Stuffed animals took the place of dolls, and recurring nightmares of being stalked by big cats evolved into wonder-filled dreams of friendly encounters with them." Now, years later, she uses her love of cats in her art as a way to express herself.
"Although I keep the animal's basic form true to reality, it is my interpretation of that form, motion and inner spirit that is my art." However, Dowagiac's Stone Lion was not the original.
In Fort Collins, Colo, there was a Stone Lion Bookstore that had a lion head outside the store. This lion head looked into the store as if it was guarding the store and gave the impression of being intimidating.
However, when the bookstore relocated, it not only gained a new look to the store, but they also wanted a new lion with a different stance. Rosetta said, "I created this regal male lion to look noble and intelligent, friendly and inviting, rather than intimidating, to fit his bookstore home." The new Stone Lion glanced towards the customers standing outside of the building, giving a welcoming feeling. As a result, the lion's new attitude and outlook remind me of the attitude of Dowagiac.
One of the seven public sculptures located in our area, the Stone Lion caught my eye right away. With all of the attractions and festivals our town has to offer, many people have the opportunity to come and visit our great city. While in Dowagiac, people are able to admire our various public art displays located throughout the area. While some of our sculptures represent the performing arts that are available in our community, there is one sculpture that best represents Dowagiac and our city's distinct personality – the Stone Lion. In Rosetta's point of view, the sculpture signifies a friendly and inviting figure. The small town of Dowagiac characterizes those two words perfectly. Our neighborhood is filled with people who are accepting towards any type of person, no matter the gender, ethnicity or age.
When it comes time for holidays, parades or festivals, the people of Dowagiac encourage others to participate in activities to create a more welcoming and pleasant environment where everyone can come together. When this happens, it accomplishes the goal of the statue, representing a friendly and inviting community.
To me, the Stone Lion sculpture also seems to indicate leadership. When I first saw the lion, my first thought was of how the male lions are dedicated leaders of their pack and how the rest of the lions look up and respect their leader. For instance, in small towns most people are not expected to go too far in life.
However, Dowagiac encourages individuals to become leaders and to follow through on their dreams. There have been many students who have gone through our education system with the help of our city's community members, dedicated their time and effort to their studies and, when it came time for graduation, their hard work was paid off when they were the head of their class. Thus, these were the people who earned the respect of their community and would later become leaders in other areas in their future.
Athletics are also a big activity in our city. The youth of Dowagiac start at a young age looking up to our high school athletes. This is one of the reasons why this piece of art has so much meaning to me. I have been named captain to each of the sports in which I have participated. By being named captain, I take the role as a leader of the team. I am the one who must set an example for my teammates, along with all younger people who look up to me. I am the one who must be there for every member of my "pack" and be the one to take charge at any given moment, just like the lion. Whether in academics or athletics, there are many "lions" who live in or grew up in our city.
In conclusion, many communities have made a name for themselves through public art.
Each community throughout the nation has a distinct difference compared to the next community, and sometimes public art provides that difference. Specifically, the Stone Lion provides a distinct fingerprint for the city of Dowagiac.
It offers a sense of leadership, knowledge, friendliness and is inviting to visitors. All these characteristics are necessary for any community; however, being exposed to art regularly also provides one more characteristic, freedom. "Access to art, in a political sense, is tied to freedom. And freedom is a must."